I only write obituaries for showbiz talents that meant something to me, in some way, and so here's one for the multi-talented Harold Ramis. He was best-known for his role as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters (1984) and its 1989 sequel, which he wrote with co-star Dan Aykroyd; as well as co-writing/directing timeless comedy classic Groundhog Day (1993). He also wrote Stripes (1981), Caddyshack (1980), and the seminal National Lampoon's Animal House (1978). In his later career, he directed Analyze This (1999), The Ice Harvest (2005), and four episodes of NBC's The Office.
Ramis died of complications arising from auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare condition he'd been battling since 2010. He was 69 years old, and is survived by his wife, Erica, sons Julian and Daniel, daughter Violet and two grandchildren.
I leave you with some choice videos of Harold Ramis...
... a clip of Ramis with frequent collaborator Bill Murray in Stripes:
... discussing the long-gestating Ghostbusters III, which sadly won't be blessed with his presence if it ever happens now:
... an early SCTV sketch with Ramis informing us about DIY dentistry, which is notable for the fact stage hands pranked him by using real alcohol on-set:
... as Dave Letterman's guest back in 1983:
... sharing some pearls of wisdom about filmmaking:
.. and, of course, as part of the awesome Ghostbusters music video from Ray Parker Jr:
