Actor and comedian Rick Ducommun known for his role in the 1989 film The Burbs has died at age 62 his family said Thursday.
Peter Ducommun said his brother died on June 12 at a Vancouver British Columbia hospital after suffering from complications due to diabetes.
Following The Burbs which became a cult classic Ducommun was featured in Gremlins 2 The New Batch the Bill Murray hit Groundhog Day and Ghost in the Machine.
Ducommun rose to prominence in the 1980s as a comedian writer and actor initially starring in the children's TV series Zig Zag followed by roles in the TV shows Slickers Amazing Stories Rock 'N' America and The Last Precinct a short lived NBC show.
Ducommun also played small parts in films beginning with No Small Affair. After dropping more than 200 pounds (90.72 kilograms) he landed the role of Art Weingartner the nosey neighbor to Tom Hanks in The Burbs. Despite good reaction to his work the film was not a success and Ducommun found himself continuing stand up comedy with occasional film work including an appearance in Blank Check. He also acted in Little Monsters Spaceballs Die Hard The Hunt for Red October The Experts The Last Boy Scout Encino Man Last Action Hero and Scary Movie.
HBO produced a stand up comedy special with Ducommun in 1989 called Rick Ducommun Piece of Mind which was well received as was the follow up Hit and Run in 1992. Ducommun was a regular performer on the Comedy Channel later renamed Comedy Central.
He was funny talented and creative said Peter Ducommun. I think what people admired most was his stand up. He was a comedian's comedian. Anyone who had the opportunity to see him live loved his material.
Born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan Rick Ducommun was an avid skateboarder in the 1960s. Peter Ducommun said skateboarding was such a huge part of their lives that they created Skull Skates a skateboarding accessories company in 1978. Rick Ducommun was heavily involved in the company until his stand up career starting taking off and he moved to Los Angeles said his brother.
Peter Ducommun told The Associated Press that his brother stepped away from showbiz after having a family and has lived the last number of years in Vancouver.
He is survived by four children his ex wife two brothers a sister and father.
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