Rick Moranis' UWS Sucker-Puncher Pleads Guilty To Assault, DA Says

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The man who randomly attacked beloved "Ghostbusters" actor Rick Moranis on the Upper West Side in 2020 pleaded guilty to a plethora of charges on Tuesday, prosecutors announced.

Marquis Ventura, 37, pleaded guilty to sucker-punching Moranis, now 69, on Central Park West near 70th Street in October 2020, a spokesperson from the Manhattan DA's office told Patch.

Assault was not the only charge to which Ventura pleaded guilty, said prosecutors.

Ventura admitted to charges — assault, petit larceny and attempted assault — linked to attacks on four other people, according to the Manhattan DA.

The New York Post reported that the other assault charges stem from punching the owner of a SoHo liquor store the same day he attacked Moranis, and attacking train riders in Lower Manhattan and the Bronx.

The spokesperson from the Manhattan DA's office said Ventura was promised in court Tuesday a sentence of two years in prison with three years of post-release supervision.

The sentencing is set for Aug. 23.

Ventura's lawyer said that his client has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, reported the Post.

The attack on Moranis made national news at the time. Ventura escaped capture for about six weeks, before he was arrested.

The actor, best known for his roles in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and "Ghostbusters," suffered injuries to his head, back, and right hip and took himself to a hospital for treatment.

"He is fine but grateful for everyone's thoughts and well wishes," his management said in a statement to CNN at the time.

Multiple famous actors came to Moranis' defense, including Chris Evans.

"My blood is boiling," Evans tweeted. "Find this man. You don't touch Rick Moranis."