RIP Harold Ramis

Harold Ramis, the man behind the cult classic Groundhog Day and the smartest Ghostbuster in any room, died yesterday from complications related to auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis. He was 69.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Ramis had been battling the rare disease for over four years. Best known as the detached scientist Egon Spengler in the two Ghostbuster movies, Ramis was also a writer and director in Hollywood. He was brough on board to help rewrite the original Ghostbusters film which resulted in Bill Murray headlining the film thanks to those revisions, he penned the varsity classic Animal House and he directed films such as Caddyshack, Multiplicity and of course the infinitely rewatchable smart comedy Groundhog Day.

And that pretty much describes any of the work that Ramis helped create. They weren’t just funny, they were more intelligent with each new viewing. These were smart movies that worked on multiple levels, from quick laughs through to holy shit moments of realisation.

RIP my favourite Ghostbuster.

Last Updated: February 25, 2014