Harold Ramis, star of Ghostbusters, director of Groundhog Day, dead at 69 - Polidicks

[quote] Harold Ramis, Chicago actor, writer and director, dead at 69 Best-known as an actor for 'Ghostbusters', 'Stripes', writer/director for 'Caddyshack', 'Groundhog Day' Harold Ramis was one of Hollywood’s most successful comedy filmmakers when he moved his family from Los Angeles back to the Chicago area in 1996. His career was still thriving, with “Groundhog Day” acquiring almost instant classic status upon its 1993 release and 1984’s “Ghostbusters” ranking among the highest-grossing comedies of all time, but the writer-director wanted to return to the city where he’d launched his career as a Second City performer. “There's a pride in what I do that other people share because I'm local, which in L.A. is meaningless; no one's local,” Ramis said upon the launch of the first movie he directed after his move, the 1999 mobster-in-therapy comedy “Analyze This,” another hit. “It's a good thing. I feel like I represent the city in a certain way.” Ramis, a longtime North Shore resident, 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 Ramis said. He was 69. Ramis’ serious health struggles began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease, his wife said. Ramis had to relearn to walk but suffered a relapse of the vaculitis in late 2011, said Laurel Ward, vice president of development at Ramis’ Ocean Pictures production company. Ramis leaves behind a formidable body of work, with writing credits on such enduring comedies as “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (which upon its 1978 release catapulted the film career of John Belushi, with whom Ramis acted at Second City), “Stripes” (1981) and “Ghostbusters” (in which Ramis also co-starred) plus such directing efforts as “Caddyshack” (1980), “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Groundhog Day” and “Analyze This.” [/quote] [url]http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-harold-ramis-dead-20140224,0,2259309.story[/url]

[img]http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m63ruhMpTU1r27nw9o1_500.jpg[/img][img]http://www.gbitalia.it/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/18-harold-ramis-WI-0509-lg-58946147.jpg[/img] [quote]Harold Ramis was one of Hollywood’s most successful comedy filmmakers when he moved his family from Los Angeles back to the Chicago area in 1996. His career was still thriving, with "Groundhog Day" acquiring almost instant classic status upon its 1993 release and 1984's "Ghostbusters" ranking among the highest-grossing comedies of all time, but the writer-director wanted to return to the city where he’d launched his career as a Second City performer. “There's a pride in what I do that other people share because I'm local, which in L.A. is meaningless; no one's local,” Ramis said upon the launch of the first movie he directed after his move, the 1999 mobster-in-therapy comedy “Analyze This,” another hit. “It's a good thing. I feel like I represent the city in a certain way.” Ramis, a longtime North Shore resident, 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 Ramis said. He was 69. Ramis’ serious health struggles began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease, his wife said. Ramis had to relearn to walk but suffered a relapse of the vaculitis in late 2011, said Laurel Ward, vice president of development at Ramis’ Ocean Pictures production company. Until his illness Ramis was out around town a fair amount, whether cheering on the Cubs and leading the occasional “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” or attending theater or appearing at local organizations’ fundraisers or collecting honors, such as an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Columbia College Chicago in 2001 and a lifetime achievement award from the Just for Laughs festival in 2009. And when Second City celebrated its 50th anniversary in December 2009, Ramis joined “SCTV” cast members Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, Dave Thomas and Martin Short in a Mainstage set that proved to be the weekend’s hottest ticket. Ramis was quiet about his illness, but friends did visit, including brothers and Second City castmates Bill Murray, from whom he’d been estranged for years, and Brian Doyle-Murray, who appeared in seven Ramis movies. “He was like the campfire that we all gathered around for light and warmth and knowledge,” his adult daughter Violet Stiel said. “And that’s the truth,” added Erica Ramis. He is survived by Erica Mann Ramis, Stiel, sons Julian and Daniel Ramis and two grandchildren. Erica Ramis said a private service is planned for this week with a public memorial in Chicago to take place probably in May.[/quote] [Source: [url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-harold-ramis-dead-20140224,0,2259309.story]Chicago Tribune[/url]]

Breaking: New York Public Library haunted by ghostly apparition.

Well this ruined my day, the guy was so awesome.

Well my day is certainly ruined now. My heart dropped as I read the thread title, I just can't believe it. I'll guess I'll say that he'll be collecting his spores,mold,and fungus in a better place now. I would change my title to honor him but unfortunately I don't have my PayPal setup.

Aw man. I loved his character in Ghostbusters the most. I didn't even know that he was this old already.

So if a ghostbuster is dead, who do you call to get rid of his ghost?

RIP Egon :(

He was a hilarious, fine and charming actor, and a brilliant screenwriter. My thoughts and condolences to his family and loved ones. Thanks for the many laughs, good sir. May you rest in peace.

That's a good age to die, at least he didn't go too soon. a little too soon but not so soon that they don't get to do anything. also this is him now (was) [t]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/HaroldRamisOct2009.jpg/220px-HaroldRamisOct2009.jpg[/t] Back in the day [t]http://pdxretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/harold-ramis-w-twinkie.jpg[/t]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcyktkVGUBM[/media] RIP :(

Well, fuck. That means there is absolutely no way a third Ghostbusters is going to ever see the light of day, as slim as it was. In terms of his other work, I loved Groundhog Day. Rest in peace.

[QUOTE=Sourcegamer8;44030498]Well, fuck. That means there is absolutely no way a third Ghostbusters is going to ever see the light of day, as slim as it was. In terms of his other work, I loved Groundhog Day. Rest in peace.[/QUOTE] I feel like GhostBusters is the kind of movie that doesn't need a sequel. It's perfect as is. I get the feeling I should stay away from GB 2, is it bad? I've heard a few things.

May he bust ghosts in peace. :(

[QUOTE=J!NX;44030534]I feel like GhostBusters is the kind of movie that doesn't need a sequel. It's perfect as is. I get the feeling I should stay away from GB 2, is it bad? I've heard a few things.[/QUOTE] You should only watch it if you just want their style of comedy or just nerd out at the concept. The plot is pretty dumb and not that exciting.

We ain't gonna call him no more ;(

God damn it not Egon.

Rest in peace, Harold. :(

FUCKING STOP 2014 Stop taking every good entertrainer out there!

He is a comedy legend, RIP.

[QUOTE=Zuimzado;44031005]FUCKING STOP 2014 Stop taking every good entertrainer out there![/QUOTE] An uplifting thought: perhaps a lot of good entertainers for future generations are being born this year?

Did not see this one coming. At all. God damn it. RIP.

[QUOTE=mac338;44031088]An uplifting thought: perhaps a lot of good entertainers for future generations are being born this year?[/QUOTE] i don't care about future generations i just want the people that make good movies to keep on living

at least he made wrote the script for the video game that's cannon and I'm happy for that because even though it had it's flaws it was kinda a thank you to the fans.

rip as fuck

Damn, that fucking sucks. I fucking loved the ghostbuster movies growing up. And he was a pretty awesome director sometimes as well. Groundhog day and Caddyshack are just the best shit ever. Between Bill Murray ignoring all the offers to reprise his roll and now this, it's pretty clear Ghostbusters 3 really wasn't mean to to be. Which in all honesty is probably a good thing.

Why do all these celebrites die from rare diseases?

RIP. I mainly knew of him from Ghostbusters more then anything else, didn't know he directed as well.

Goddamnit another one of my favorites dies :( I really liked Groundhog Day

May he rest in peace. I dont know what that disease is but it sounds quite painful. At least he is no longer suffering.