Comedian Rick Ducommun starred in The ‘Burbs in 1989, when the burbs were a whole lot different — there was no Internet. Ducommun’s Art Weingartner character comically expressed the suburban isolation and insanity perfectly in what became a cult classic — and yet another feather in lead actor Tom Hanks‘ very full cap. Docommun, who died this week at age 62, also memorably played the barfly in a classic scene with another legendary leading man comic — Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.
Ducommun had marvelous timing and could clearly work with anybody, from the brightest lights to the avid heckler. (Ducommun had a long, prosperous standup career in addition to the movies.) His HBO specials from 1989 and 1992 were both hits, and still have pop to them. Ducommun appeared in “Spaceballs,” ”Die Hard,” ”The Hunt for Red October,” ”Last Action Hero,” and “Scary Movie”, among other films. His brother said he died from complications due to diabetes.
