Harold Ramis, the actor who starred in countless classic comedies of the 1970s and 1980s, has died. He was 69-years-old. Ramis’ credits include Stripes, Ghostbusters and Caddyshack. He also directed the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day.
Ramis’ death was first reported by the Chicago Tribune. He was a Chicago native and moved back to the area in 1996. He died at 12:53 a.m. from complications of a rare blood vessel disease called autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, his wife, Erica Mann Ramis, said. The news was also reported by the Sun-Times.
One can’t help but burst into laughter just reading Ramis’ incredible resume. As a writer, he worked on the Animal Lampoon classic Animal House and later Caddyshack. As a director, he helmed Caddyshack, Groundhog Day and Analyze This. His last feature was Year One and he also directed several episodes of The Office.
In front of the camera, Ramis made audiences laugh in Ghostbusters and Stripes. He also appeared in Knocked Up and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.
Ramis got his start on television with the iconic Second City Television show in Chicago.
He will be remembered as one of the rare multi-talented stars who could make you laugh with work on both sides of the camera. He is survived by his wife, daughter Violet Stiel, sons Julian and Daniel Ramis and two grandchildren.
image courtesy of Wikimeida Commons
