Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Suspect Arrested In Random Attack On Actor Rick Moranis On Upper West Side


By

Sydney Pereira

Published Nov 15, 2020


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

A photo of Rick Moranis from a recent ad

 


By

Sydney Pereira

Published Nov 15, 2020


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Police arrested a man suspected of randomly attacking actor Rick Moranis on the Upper West Side last month, the NYPD announced on Saturday evening.

Marquis Ventura, 35, who is listed as homeless, was arrested on Saturday afternoon for assaulting Moranis, a 67-year-old actor who was walking near Central Park at West 70th Street on October 1st when the attacker punched him in the head and knocked him onto the ground.

An NYPD spokesperson confirmed Ventura had been arrested for assault in the second degree.

Moranis has starred in Ghostbusters and Honey I Shrunk The Kids, among other films.

At the time of the attack, his rep told The Hollywood Reporter he was treated at a hospital after the assault, but overall, was "fine but grateful for everyone's thoughts and well wishes."

The NYPD Transit Chief Kathleen O'Reilly said that the alleged attacker had faced a half-dozen other assault charges this year.

Those alleged assault and harassment charges were from incidents on April 13th in the Bronx and August 3rd and October 17th in Manhattan, as well as another theft and assault incident reported to police October 1st in Lower Manhattan, according to the NYPD and court records. A defense attorney for Ventura was not listed online as of Sunday afternoon.

Tagged

Upper West Side

manhattan

rick moranis

arrest

nypd

assault

police


Sydney Pereira

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey

More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET


Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’

The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.

By

Caroline Lewis

News

Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’

The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.

By

Caroline Lewis


NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation

By

Charles Lane

Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market

By

Elizabeth Kim

Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison

By

Samantha Max


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .