Harold Ramis, "Ghostbusters" star, dead at 69
Harold Ramis, the filmmaker behind "Caddyshack" and "Groundhog Day" and a star in "Ghostbusters," has died. He was 69.
Ramis died early Monday morning at his Chicago-area home surrounded by family and friends, United Talent Agency confirmed to CBS News. He died from complications related to auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis, a condition he battled for the past four years.
A writer, director and actor, Ramis portrayed Dr. Egon Spengler in the 1984 classic, "Ghostbusters," a film he helped co-write. He also spent much of his career behind the camera -- co-writing the "Meatballs" and the blockbuster comedy "National Lampoon's Animal House" and directing such films as "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Analyze This," "Analyze That" and, more recently, a few episodes of "The Office." In 2009, he directed "Year One," starring Jack Black and Michael Cera -- his most recent directorial work.
His other acting credits include "Stripes," "Knocked Up," "The Last Kiss" and "As Good as it Gets."
Ramis was the recipient of the American Comedy Award, the British Comedy Award, and the BAFTA award for screenwriting.
Born in Chicago, Ramis received a bachelor’s degree from Washington University and began his career in 1969 at Chicago’s Second City improvisational theater group. In 1976, he became head writer for the Canadian-based comedy series "Second City Television," or "SCTV."
In addition to his wife, Erica, Ramis is survived by sons Julian and Daniel, daughter Violet and two grandchildren.