Top 10 Rick Ducommun Roles

1. The 'Burbs (1989)- Art Weingartner

This is obvious. I heard he worked on set like Daniel Day-Lewis does, so that even between takes and when they're not shooting, he'll only answer to "Art" and he actually acted like Art all the time. Dedication. Also one of the best films ever made.

2. Spaceballs (1987)- Prison Guard

The beginning of a brilliant career, and a clear sign of all those wonderful things to come.

3. Little Monsters (1989)- Snik

This was Ducommon's Johnny Depp-like moment, where he really created a

truly visceral, surreal character in a world with, well, Fred Savage in it. So it was awesome. Ben Savage too. And Howie Mandel (Ducommun stole every single one of their scenes though).

This is Snik about to rip a little kid's head off. That's how real Little Monsters is.

This is Snik coming back from when they thought they'd destroyed him with a bunch of flashlights, still standing even with one leg. This was before CGI. Ducommun had to actually stand on one leg that means.

4. Groundhog Day (1993)- Gus

Ducommon was mainly supporting here, but it's high up on my list because it's one of the best movies ever that you can watch over and over again, ironically. So even though Rick was only a lovable drunk for a few scenes, the cumulative experience of watching those few minutes hundreds of times makes this a very important work in Ducommun's oeuvre.

Seen here smoking, drinking AND philosophizing about glasses being half full or half empty. Rick's is half-full obviously.

5. Blank Check (1994)- Henry

The best late period work from Ducommun. He re-emerged with this one. For a few years he had been doing minor roles, some iconic such as Gus the Barfly in Groundhog Day, but this was what really brought attention back to the man. Not since Little Monsters had so many people said "That [limo driver guy/monster guy] is fucking hilarious, what's his name again?" Yes. It was Rick Ducommun. Another VHS classic that would have a permanent place in every kid's VCR. Also notable for scenes playing alongside Tone Loc.

Here, seen having "S-T-Y-L-E...styllllle"

6. Scary Movie (2000)- Cindy's Dad

Not my favorite Ducommun moment to be honest. It's this high on the list because of what it did for Rick's career. Despite all of the other larger than life characters he played, after 5 years of just cashing checks and getting blowjobs in the Caribbean, Ducommun was swayed to come out of retirement by the Weinsteins and the Wayans to immortalize Cindy's Dad. Obviously he was great. That wasn't a question. The Wayans even lived up to their part of the bargain by delivering a fresh, cool and hilarious script. They disgraced his memory though by making 3 un-Ducommun like sequels that were just trash. Thankfully, they didn't even ask to have Rick back for those, seeing as his artistry would be so disproportionate to anything else related to those productions. Sadly, with this second comeback, many of the younger generation remember this Rick Ducommun incarnation most. This movie gets extra points though for having Kurt Fuller in it, second best actor of all-time to Ducommun.

7. Die Hard (1988)- Walt

"Yeah, wait a second, don't I know that guy from somewhere? Wasn't he in...?" Yes. He was. That's the guy. Another early appearance for Rick, and again notable. This was one of the best movies Rick was in, thus it is a wonderful testament to him that alongside Carl Winslow/Reginald Veljohnson (yeah, that was the name of the guy from Family Matters, who'd'a thought?), he still stands out. In a film of so many wonderful cameos, perhaps this is the best example of the power of Ducommun.

8. Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)- DA

Here is a better version of Scary Movie. Sadly, I don't think this movie ages as well, however, at the time this was an HBO mainstay. It wasn't quite the movie to buy on VHS, because we'd just rather watch Hot Shots: Part Deux. Either way, Rick delivered another brilliant comedic perf.

Here seen being a pervert.

9. Last Action Hero (1993)- Ripper's Agent

Yeahhhhhhh.

Like Die Hard, his one scene comes again at 1:42 minutes in a John McTiernan film. The big addition here though is the ponytail.

10. (tie) Encino Man, The Last Boy Scout, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, The Hunt for the Red October

I could go on.

Seen here as the teacher who both foreshadows and adds depth to Encino Man.