Harold Ramis Dead at 69

By Dustin Rowles | Miscellaneous | February 24, 2014 |

By Dustin Rowles | Miscellaneous | February 24, 2014 |

Harold Ramis, the director of Groundhog Day, National Lampoon’s Vacation , and Caddyshack, as well as the star of Stripes and the Ghostbusters movies, has passed away. He was 69.

Ramis, unbeknownst to me, had been suffering health complications since he underwent surgery in 2010 for diverticulitis, leaving him unable to walk. He did manage to regain that ability, but recently suffered another relapse and never recovered.

Ramis was the original head writer of the television series SCTV, and one of three screenwriters for the film National Lampoon’s Animal House. He was also an all-around good guy, though he did lose the friendship of his longtime pal Bill Murray over a feud on Groundhog Day. Ramis’ most recent work was as a director on several episodes of The Office, which had two writers who had worked on the script for Ghostbusters 3.

Ramis leaves behind a wife, three children, and an amazing body of work. Basically, if you grew up in the 80s and 90s and had a decent sense of humor, you can attribute at least part of it to Ramis and John Hughes.

Ramis will be missed.