Rick Moranis, Cameron Diaz and Lindsay Lohan among stars who left fame behind before returning to Hollywood

Rick Moranis is stepping back into the spotlight after decades away from Hollywood, joining a growing list of stars who left fame behind and later returned.

The 73-year-old actor is taking on his first live-action part in nearly 30 years after walking away from the entertainment industry at the height of his career after a family tragedy.

Moranis is reprising his role as Lord Dark Helmet in "Spaceballs: The New One," the long-awaited sequel to Mel Brooks' 1987 cult classic science-fiction comedy movie, "Spaceballs." 'DEADPOOL' STAR ROB DELANEY REVEALS HOW LOSING 2-YEAR-OLD SON CHANGED HIS APPROACH TO FAME In July, Moranis made a rare public appearance to promote the sequel at San Diego Comic-Con, where he received a standing ovation when he appeared on stage wearing his character's signature massive black helmet.

Moranis participated in a panel discussion alongside co-stars Daphne Zuniga, Josh Gad , Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman, as well as director Josh Greenbaum and screenwriters Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez.

Zuniga is reprising her role as Princess Vespa, while other original stars who returned for the sequel include George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz, Bill Pullman as Lone Starr and Brooks as Yogurt.

During the panel, Moranis revealed what finally brought him back in front of the camera after his decades-long hiatus.

"This came along right at the right time, and I started talking to these folks and hearing who was going to be in it," Moranis said, via People .

"I spoke to Josh Greenbaum, and I heard that Bill Pullman was coming back, and that Lewis was going to be in it too.

And it just felt like this is it.

It’s time and — yes.

I said yes, and it is the best decision I’ve ever made." Moranis became one of Hollywood's most recognizable comedy stars in the 1980s and 1990s after starring in a string of hit movies, including "Spaceballs," "Ghostbusters," "Little Shop of Horrors," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," "Parenthood," "My Blue Heaven" and "The Flintstones." However, after his wife, costume designer Ann Belsky, died in 1991 after a battle with breast cancer , Moranis stepped away from show business to focus on raising their two children, daughter Rachel and son Mitchell.

He last appeared on-screen in 1997's "Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves," the third installment in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" movie series.

During a 2015 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Moranis reflected on his decision to prioritize his family over his career.

"I was working with really interesting people, wonderful people," he said.