Why was it funny? The person in question, according to the FBI’s photo, sported a resemblance to actor Rick Moranis.
“You can help the #FBI identify individuals involved in the January 6 violence at the U.S. Capitol. Visit tips.fbi.gov if you recognize this person. Reference photo 268 in your tip,” read the bureau’s tweet.
The FBI post, which was likely unintended to be comical, brought Twitter to a laughing roar on Sunday, and Moranis quickly became a trending topic. When the suspect’s photo was shared, it quickly got 5,000 comments and 6,000 likes.
The user comments mentioned the comic actor’s roles in Spaceballs, Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, and other flicks.
“OMG! The @FBI is searching for Vinz Clortho, Keymaster of Gozer!,” one person wrote in reference to Ghostbusters.
Another wrote: “OMG. Only reason I stopped to read this tweet was because I thought it was Rick Moranis in Space Balls.”
Moranis found himself in the headlines last fall when he was randomly attacked and sucker punched in New York City. The 67-year-old Canadian actor was knocked to the ground near Central Park in September, and police arrested Marquis Ventura in November for his alleged involvement in the attack. It was the seventh assault charge in 2020 for Ventura, according to an ABC7 report.
Moranis sustained injuries to his head, back and hip, but he managed to get to a hospital on his own. He later reported the incident to the police. The incident happened just a few blocks away from the apartment building where his Ghostbusters character, Louis Tully, lived.
More than 300 people have already been arrested for storming the Capitol in January. The insurgents blitzed past security and roamed the halls of Congress. They infiltrated the Senate chamber and occupied some of the lawmakers’ offices. Five people were killed and more than 50 police officers were injured that day. No lawmakers were hurt.
Though the FBI’s tweet drew lots of laughs, comments and retweets, it also generated more serious comments. Some people thanked the FBI, while others said they would be on the lookout for the Moranis look-a-like.
