Richard Ducommun (July 3, 1952 – June 12, 2015) was a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer.

Career

One of his earliest television appearances was on ''

Star Search ''Star Search'' was an American television show that was produced by T.P.E./Rysher Entertainment from 1983 to 1995, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Al Masini. A relaunch was produced by 2929 Productions from 2003 to 2004. On both versio ...

'' and as a technician accosted by a scantily-clad dancer near the end of the music video for O'Bryan's song "Lovelite", both in 1984. He finished second in the comedy category behind

Brad Garrett Bradley Henry Gerstenfeld (born April 14, 1960), known professionally as Brad Garrett, is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Possessing a distinctive deep voice, he has appeared in numerous television and film roles in both live-action and ...

. His credits include Bart (half of Biff and Bart) in the Canadian children's TV series ''

Zig Zag A zigzag is a pattern made up of small corners at variable angles, though constant within the zigzag, tracing a path between two parallel lines; it can be described as both jagged and fairly regular. In geometry, this pattern is described as a ...

'', Rick Dukeman in the music video show '' Rock 'N' America'',

Tom Hanks Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. Ha ...

' neighbor Art Weingartner in '' The 'Burbs'' (1989), the villainous monster "Snik" in the

Fred Savage Frederick Aaron Savage (born July 9, 1976) is an American actor and director. He is known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series ''The Wonder Years'' (1988 to 1993). He has earned several awards and nominations, such as ...

fantasy '' Little Monsters'' (1989), a barfly in the

Bill Murray William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his deadpan delivery. He rose to fame on ''The National Lampoon Radio Hour'' (1973–1974) before becoming a national presence on '' Saturday Nig ...

comedy '' Groundhog Day'' (1993), and Henry the chauffeur in ''

Blank Check A blank cheque in the literal sense is a cheque that has no monetary value written in, but is already signed. In the figurative sense, it is used to describe a situation in which an agreement has been made that is open-ended or vague, and therefo ...

'' (1994). Ducommun acted in other films, such as '' No Small Affair'' (1984), '' A Fine Mess'' (1986), '' Spaceballs'' (1987), ''

Die Hard ''Die Hard'' is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan, with a screenplay by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. Based on the 1979 novel '' Nothing Lasts Forever'', by Roderick Thorp, it stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Al ...

'' (1988), '' The Experts'' (1989), ''

The Hunt for Red October ''The Hunt for Red October'' is the debut novel by American author Tom Clancy, first published on October 1, 1984, by the Naval Institute Press. It depicts Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he seemingly goes rogue with his country's cutt ...

'' (1990), '' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990), ''

The Last Boy Scout ''The Last Boy Scout'' is a 1991 American buddy action comedy film directed by Tony Scott, written by Shane Black, and produced by Joel Silver. The film stars Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, Chelsea Field, Noble Willingham, Taylor Negron and Daniel ...

'' (1991), ''

Class Act ''Class Act'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Randall Miller and starring hip-hop duo Kid 'n Play. An urban retelling of Mark Twain's ''The Prince and the Pauper'', the film was written by Cynthia Friedlob and John Semper from a s ...

'' (1992), ''

Encino Man ''Encino Man'' (known as ''California Man'' in France, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, Asia, South Africa, and New Zealand) is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Les Mayfield in his directorial debut. The film stars Sean Astin, with a supp ...

'' (1992), ''

Last Action Hero ''Last Action Hero'' is a 1993 American fantasy action comedy film directed and produced by John McTiernan and co-written by Shane Black and David Arnott. It is a satire of the action genre and associated clichés, containing several parodies ...

'' (1993), ''

Jury Duty Jury duty or jury service is service as a juror in a legal proceeding. Juror selection process The prosecutor and defense can dismiss potential jurors for various reasons, which can vary from one state to another, and they can have a specifi ...

'' (1995), ''

Scary Movie ''Scary Movie'' is a 2000 American slasher parody film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and written by Marlon and Shawn Wayans (who both also star), alongside Buddy Johnson, Phil Beauman, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Starring Anna Fari ...

'' (2000) and '' MVP: Most Valuable Primate'' (2000). Ducommun died in June 2015 of complications from

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ...

. He was 62.

Filmography

*'' Rock 'N' America'' (1984) – Host *'' No Small Affair'' (1984) – Groom *'' A Fine Mess'' (1986) – Wardell *'' Spaceballs'' (1987) – Prison Guard *''

'' (1988) – Walt, City Worker *'' The Experts'' (1989) – Sparks *'' The 'Burbs'' (1989) – Art Weingartner *'' Little Monsters'' (1989) – Snik *''

'' (1990) – Navigator C-2A *'' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990) – Clamp Center Security Guard *''

'' (1991) – Pool Owner *''

'' (1992) – Mr. Brush *''

'' (1992) – Parole Officer Reichert *'' Loaded Weapon 1'' (1993) – District Attorney *'' Groundhog Day'' (1993) – Gus *''

'' (1993) –

Tom Noonan Tom Noonan (born April 12, 1951) is an American actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for his roles as Francis Dolarhyde in '' Manhunter'' (1986), Frankenstein's Monster in ''The Monster Squad'' (1987), Cain in '' RoboCop 2'' (1990), T ...

's Agent *''

Ghost in the Machine The "ghost in the machine" is a term originally used to describe and critique the notion of the mind existing alongside and separate to the body. In more recent times, the term has several uses, including the concept that the intellectual part of ...

'' (1993) – Phil Stewart *''

'' (1994) – Henry *''

'' (1995) – The Real Frank (uncredited) *''Dogmatic'' (1999) *'' Final Voyage'' (1999) – Jasper *''

'' (2000) – Cindy's Dad *'' MVP: Most Valuable Primate'' (2000) – Coach Marlowe *'' Harvard Man'' (2001) – Police Officer Martino (uncredited) *''

Like Mike ''Like Mike'' is a 2002 American sports comedy film directed by John Schultz and written by Michael Elliot and Jordan Moffet. Starring Lil' Bow Wow, Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki, Robert Forster, Crispin Glover and Eugene Levy, the film fol ...

'' (2002) – Dad Outside Arena *''

Pauly Shore Is Dead ''Pauly Shore Is Dead'' is a 2003 American mockumentary comedy film directed, produced, co-written by, and starring Pauly Shore. The film is a fake documentary that begins as a semi-autobiographical retelling of Shore's early success and dwind ...

'' (2003) – Mitch Rosenberg *''Back by Midnight'' (2004) – Wilson *'' Funky Monkey'' (2004) – Father Rick (final film role)

References

External links

* 1952 births 2015 deaths Canadian male comedians Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors Canadian television writers Male actors from Saskatchewan Writers from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Deaths from diabetes Canadian male television writers Canadian stand-up comedians 20th-century Canadian male actors 20th-century Canadian comedians 21st-century Canadian male actors 21st-century Canadian comedians Comedians from Saskatchewan {{Canada-screen-actor-stub