We are very sad to report the passing of actor, writer and director Harold Ramis, who has passed away at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family when he died at 12:53 a.m. from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels, his wife Erica Mann has said.
Ramis has been battling his health issues which began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease. In late 2011, he suffered a relapse of the vasculitis after having to re-learn how to walk.
With writing credits on comedy classics such as National Lampoon’s Animal House and Stripes, Ramis was a beloved part of the comedy circuit during the late 70s, 80s and 90s. He was a head writer on Second City Television in Chicago and had directing credits on National Lampoon’s Vacation, Groundhog Day and Analyze This. In his later years, he directed episodes of The US Office and Year One starring Jack Black.
He was however perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Egon Spengler in Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters. A movie that captured the imagination of a generation which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
He was regarded an inspiration to many young filmmakers and comedians including Judd Apatow, Jay Roach, The Farrelly Brothers, and Adam Sandler.
With Ghostbusters being one of the Flickering Myth writing team’s top 10 movies of all time, we are very sad to hear of this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Originally published February 24, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
