'Ghostbusters': Rick Moranis' Louis Tully Return Explained

Fan-favorite Ghostbusters character Louis Tully may have only appeared in the first two films, but he has enjoyed many other appearances in the wider franchise.

The Ghostbusters franchise is teeming with iconic characters, whether it’s the titular paranormal investigators and eliminators themselves (which goes far beyond Peter Venkman, Winston Zeddemore, Egon Spengler, and Ray Stantz) or even some of the spectacular spooks and specters such as Slimer and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) and Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) in 'Ghostbusters II' — Credit: Sony Pictures

Though we’re now up to the fifth film in the series, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), there’s already much more to the Ghostbusters franchise than a casual fan might be aware of. Since the original film came out in 1984, there have been two animated shows (The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters) and several comic books and video games.

But, despite there being a long line of Ghostbusters and other supporting characters from secretary Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) to human villains like Walter Peck (William Atherton), there’s no one who’s quite as adored by fans as blabbering accountant Louis Tully.

Ghostbusters (1984)

In Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), Louis Tully is played by the equally lovable Rick Moranis. Introduced as Dana Barrett’s interfering but well-intentioned down-the-hall neighbor at the Central Park West apartment building, Tully ends up possessed by an entity known as Vinz Clortho and becomes the Keymaster to Dana’s Gatekeeper/Zuul.

Fortunately, after transforming into a “Terror Dog” alongside Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) — the true form of Gozer the Gozerian’s hellhounds, Vinz Clortho and Zuul — Tully is saved by the Ghostbusters, and he wakes, with Dana, to find himself inside the rocky husk of the horned beast atop the apartment block now famously dubbed “Spook Central.”

Ghostbusters II

Louis returns in Ghostbusters II, having been taken on by Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) as their accountant and defense lawyer. This time, he becomes romantically involved with Janine Melnitz and even forms an alliance of sorts with Slimer (Robin Shelby).

At the end of the film, Louis helps the Ghostbusters defeat Vigo the Carpathian (the evil warlock from the possessed oil painting) by picking up a proton pack (although, unbeknownst to him, his efforts are redundant). But that’s the last we ever see of him — at least in the films (many fans were hoping he’d make an appearance in Frozen Empire).

The Real Ghostbusters

Thankfully, Louis Tully returned briefly in The Real Ghostbusters (1986 — 1991), in which he’s voiced by Rodger Bumpass, and in several comic books, including the most popular run from IDW Publishing.

Louis Tully (Rodger Bumpass) appears in The Real Ghostbusters, in which he resumes his accountant duties for the Ghostbusters. Occasionally, he also dons the flight suit again to help Peter (Lorenzo Music/Dave Coulier), Winston (Arsenio Hall/Buster Jones), Egon (Maurice LaMarche), and Ray (Frank Welker), just like he does in Ghostbusters II.

Ghostbusters Comics

Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) wearing the colander in 'Ghostbusters' (1984) — Credit: Sony Pictures

Louis has appeared in several Ghostbusters comic books over the decades, including NOW Comics (issue #17 only), the Welsh Publishing Group comics, “The Real Ghostbusters” Magazine (a few appearances), and the long-running IDW Publishing series (2011 — 2019).

While not considered canon by the films, IDW’s “Ghostbusters” reveals that, in 1992, three years after Ghostbusters II, Louis and Janine went their separate ways, with Louis leaving New York shortly after to make a new home for himself in Ocala, Marion County, Florida.

However, after being left vulnerable by his experience with Gozer and her minion, Vinz Clortho, in the 1984 film, he becomes haunted by a spirit known as Tiamat and is unable to live a normal life. He’s soon forced back to Manhattan to ask the Ghostbusters for help. Poor Louis just can’t catch a break where demonic entities are concerned.

Ghostbusters Video Games

(L to R) Rookie, Ray Stantz, Peter Venkman, and Egon Spengler in 'Ghostbusters: The Video Game' — Credit: Terminal Reality / Saber Interactive

While he doesn’t physically appear in the fan-favorite video game entry, “Ghostbusters: The Video Game” (2009), Louis Tully is name-dropped. In the “Realistic Versions” (X Box 360, PlayStation), we learn that he kept Egon Spengler’s Ghostbusters flight suit from the 1989 sequel as a memento and was later tasked with scouting locations around the US for new Ghostbusters headquarters.

In the “Stylized Versions” of the game (Nintendo Wii etc.), the only playable character, “Rookie”, must collect a mysterious artifact for Louis. These versions of the game also reference Louis’ new role in looking for new Ghostbusters headquarters throughout the country, which lines up with the “Ghostbusters: International” storyline from the IDW comics.

Louis Tully also appears as a playable character in the Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy video game “New Ghostbusters II” (1990). As an actual Ghostbuster, he’s a lot more useful this time around than he is in the 1989 film the game is based on!

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Frozen Empire sees the return of several legacy characters, including Peter Venkman, Winston Zeddemore, Ray Stantz, Janine Melnitz, Walter Peck, and even Slimer. Unfortunately, Louis Tully doesn’t make an appearance.

That said, writer/director Gil Kenan recently told SFX Magazine that there will be plenty of opportunities in future films for other legacy characters to appear.

Check out the trailer for Frozen Empire below, per Sony Pictures:

“In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who’ve developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level,” the official synopsis reads.

“But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.”

Frozen Empire stars Carrie Coon (Callie Spengler), Paul Rudd (Gary Grooberson), McKenna Grace (Phoebe Spengler), Finn Wolfhard (Trevor Spengler), Celeste O’Connor (Lucky Domingo), Logan Kim (Podcast), Dan Aykroyd (Ray Stantz), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz), William Atherton (Walter Peck), Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore), Bill Murray (Peter Venkman), James Acaster (Lars Pinfield), Patton Oswalt (Dr. Hubert Wartzki), Kumail Nanjiani (Nadeem Razmaadi), and Emily Alyn Lind (Melody).

Are you a fan of Louis Tully? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!