Harold Ramis (1944-2014) Dead at 69
We’re gonna go full stream.
Three months away from the 30th anniversary of pop culture gem, Ghostbusters, actor/writer/director Harold Ramis has died from complications from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis. He passed away at his home in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 69.
In May 2010, Ramis contracted an infection which resulted in complications from the disorder. He had lost the ability to walk and was forced to relearn how to –but suffered a setback, relapsing of the disease in late 2011. Sadly, he had endured a painful and debilitating battle at the end of his life. Which is doubly unfair because he seemed to have a sweet demeanor and kind presence. Judging from the current outpouring of respect and adulation from his colleagues and friends, it is clear that he was well revered.
An alumnus of Chicago’s improvisational troupe Second City and SCTV, Harold Ramis was a prolific contributor to the comedy film world. He wrote and directed the comedy classics Caddyshack (1980) and Groundhog Day (1993). An Ivan Reitman staple, he wrote and also acted in Meatballs (1979), Stripes (1981), Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989). Ramis also penned National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978). Harold Ramis’ comedy resume was unrivaled.
Harold Ramis is survived by his wife and three children. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and fans. He was an integral part of shaping our childhood in regards to entertaining us and making us laugh. The man who created and played Egon Spengler will surely be missed.
Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Harold Ramis, one of America’s greatest satirists, and like so many other comedic geniuses, a proud product of Chicago’s Second City. When we watched his movies — from ‘Animal House’ and ‘Caddyshack’ to ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Groundhog Day’ — we didn’t just laugh until it hurt. We questioned authority. We identified with the outsider. We rooted for the underdog. And, through it all, we never lost our faith in happy endings. Our thoughts and prayers are with Harold’s wife, Erica, his children and grandchildren, and all those who loved him, who quote his work with abandon, and who hope that he received total consciousness.
–President Barack Obama
- The New York Times: Harold Ramis, Alchemist of Comedy, Dies at 69
- Los Angeles Times: Harold Ramis dies: Five of his most memorable comedy movies
- Chicago Tribune: Harold Ramis, Chicago actor, writer and director, dead at 69
- Variety: ‘Ghostbusters’ Star Harold Ramis Dies at 69
- Time: Bill Murray Remembers Harold Ramis: “He Earned His Keep On This Planet”
- Time: Ivan Reitman Remembers Harold Ramis: “The World Has Lost a Truly Original Comedy Voice”
- CNN: Harold Ramis of ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘Groundhog Day’ fame dies
- Rolling Stone: Harold Ramis, ‘Ghostbusters’ Star, ‘Caddyshack’ Director, Dead at 69
- GQ (From July 2009): Harold Ramis Gets the Last Laugh
- Esquire: An Oral History Ghostbusters: Who you gonna call? Everyone in the cast of Ghostbusters.
Ramis on why he passed on joining Saturday Night Live (from a July 2009 GQ interview):
Lorne (Michaels) offered me a job, but at that point I was the head writer on SCTV. SNL was completely fueled by cocaine; the show was being written literally overnight. I didn’t want to stay up all night writing. And the show had a veneer of New York sophistication—very snide and superior. I thought, “It’s just not me.”
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