Actor Harold Ramis passed away today at the age of 69 from complications due to autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare blood disease. He was a prolific comedy director and writer, bringing Animal House, National Lampoon’s Vacation and Groundhog Day among others to the big screen. To most though, he was known as Egon Spengler, the brilliant and dry scientist in the Ghostbusters movies.
Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, “If a Twinkie represents amount of grief I feel when someone dies, Harold Ramis’ death would be a Twinkie 35 feet long weighing 600 pounds.” It’s probably fair to say we’re all feeling that today.
Ramis is survived by wife Erica, his two sons Julian and Daniel, his two grandchildren, and an unmatched comedy legacy.
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What a bummer. Ramis guided comedic movies since the 1970’s….Caddyshack, Animal House, Groundhog Day, Analyze This… I wonder if this makes Ghostbusters 3 more or less likely?
No idea. Murray was already refusing to return, so any original cast appearances at this point would be Dan and Ernie.