Harold was 69. Image courtesy: AP
Los Angeles:
Actor-director Harold Ramis,best known for starring in cult comedies like Ghostbustersand Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, has died at the age of69.
Harold Ramis died yesterday of autoimmune inflammatoryvasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the bloodvessels, his agent said.
The star found fame as bespectacled ghost-hunter EgonSpengler in the Ghostbusters franchise in 1984. But he wasalso a talented writer and director, who co-wrote and directedCaddyshack, Animal House and Analyze This.
"His creativity, compassion, intelligence, humour andspirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him," said hisfamily in a statement.Harold Ramis is survived by his wife Erica, sons Julian andDaniel, daughter Violet and two grandchildren.The actor had reportedly been quiet about his illness,which dated back to 2010.
Born in Chicago to shop owner parents Ruth and Nathan,Ramis studied at Washington University in St Louis.He started his career as a writer by penning arts storiesfor his local newspaper and editing Playboy magazine's "partyjokes" section.After leaving the magazine, he joined Chicago's renownedSecond City improvised comedy troupe but said he realised hislimitations as a performer after encountering John Belushi.The actor-director-comedian's death was mourned by moderncomedians and stars on Twitter.
"Harold Ramis was a brilliant, shining example for everycomedy writer hoping to achieve excellence the field. He willbe sorely missed," Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlanetweeted.Funnyman Tom Arnold said he was inspired by his work. "Sosad about Harold Ramis. His work changed my life and inspiredme and made me want to do what I do. Very nice man and a goodneighbour too."
Billy Crystal, who starred in Ramis' Analyze This andAnalyze That, wrote, "Sad to hear my friend Harold Ramispassed away. A brilliant, funny, actor and director. Awonderful husband and dad. Big loss to us all.""Caddyshack. Griswalds. Egon Spengler was always myfavorite Ghostbuster. Genius. My condolences to Mr Ramis'sfamily. RIP Harold Ramis," said actor-singer JustinTimberlake.
Rashida Jones remembered the late actor as a "comedylegend" and "a lovely man" while Julianne Moore called him"exceptionally talented, exceptionally kind".
Harold Ramis died yesterday of autoimmune inflammatoryvasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the bloodvessels, his agent said.
The star found fame as bespectacled ghost-hunter EgonSpengler in the Ghostbusters franchise in 1984. But he wasalso a talented writer and director, who co-wrote and directedCaddyshack, Animal House and Analyze This.
"His creativity, compassion, intelligence, humour andspirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him," said hisfamily in a statement.Harold Ramis is survived by his wife Erica, sons Julian andDaniel, daughter Violet and two grandchildren.The actor had reportedly been quiet about his illness,which dated back to 2010.
Born in Chicago to shop owner parents Ruth and Nathan,Ramis studied at Washington University in St Louis.He started his career as a writer by penning arts storiesfor his local newspaper and editing Playboy magazine's "partyjokes" section.After leaving the magazine, he joined Chicago's renownedSecond City improvised comedy troupe but said he realised hislimitations as a performer after encountering John Belushi.The actor-director-comedian's death was mourned by moderncomedians and stars on Twitter.
"Harold Ramis was a brilliant, shining example for everycomedy writer hoping to achieve excellence the field. He willbe sorely missed," Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlanetweeted.Funnyman Tom Arnold said he was inspired by his work. "Sosad about Harold Ramis. His work changed my life and inspiredme and made me want to do what I do. Very nice man and a goodneighbour too."
Billy Crystal, who starred in Ramis' Analyze This andAnalyze That, wrote, "Sad to hear my friend Harold Ramispassed away. A brilliant, funny, actor and director. Awonderful husband and dad. Big loss to us all.""Caddyshack. Griswalds. Egon Spengler was always myfavorite Ghostbuster. Genius. My condolences to Mr Ramis'sfamily. RIP Harold Ramis," said actor-singer JustinTimberlake.
Rashida Jones remembered the late actor as a "comedylegend" and "a lovely man" while Julianne Moore called him"exceptionally talented, exceptionally kind".
