Harold Ramis, Chicago actor, writer and director, dead at 69

Chicago Tribune ^ | 2/24/2014 | Mark Caro

[Borges]

Harold Ramis was one of Hollywood’s most successful comedy filmmakers when he moved his family from Los Angeles back to the Chicago area in 1996. His career was still thriving, with “Groundhog Day” acquiring almost instant classic status upon its 1993 release and 1984’s “Ghostbusters” ranking among the highest-grossing comedies of all time, but the writer-director wanted to return to the city where he’d launched his career as a Second City performer.

“There's a pride in what I do that other people share because I'm local, which in L.A. is meaningless; no one's local,” Ramis said upon the launch of the first movie he directed after his move, the 1999 mobster-in-therapy comedy “Analyze This,” another hit. “It's a good thing. I feel like I represent the city in a certain way.”

[liberalh8ter]

RIP Harold Ramis! I spent time this weekend watching Ghostbusters with my now grown son who watched the movie everyday when he was a young boy, I hope you felt our heartwarming laughter and appreciation for the hours of entertainment you gave us and the sheer fascination you inspired in that little boy's imagination so many years ago. You were truly a magnificent entertainer and a master of comedy.

[Dahoser]

“Son of Beach! Sheet!”

I still use that at every opportunity.

Ramis was a comic genius. Writing and/or directing any one of these would be enough—Animal House, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Analyze This—but all of them?

RIP, Harold. You made us laugh. A lot. Out loud. With unforgettable lines and characters that are timeless.

[3Fingas]

Very talented writer and film maker. All of his movies made me laugh. I thank him for that. RIP.

[Beowulf9]

“That’s creepy - I just removed him from my laptop wallpaper last week (him and Bill Murray at the Army recruiters’ office in Stripes).”

Oh, so YOU’RE the one...!

[BillyBoy]

Wow, this sucks. One of the biggest missed opporunities in my life was graduating from college in ‘03 instead of ‘02. Harold Ramis gave the commencement address for the class of ‘02 and students got to meet him afterwards for a handshake.

By contrast, the commencement speaker for MY class was some Al-Quada sympathizing commie. (I can’t even remember the name of the speaker now, just his ultra-liberal douchebaggy commencement address. It got so bad I booed the bastard in public, and I never do that)

FYI, since we’re never gonna get a “Ghostbusters III” now, you might want to check out the cut scenes from Ghostbusters: The Video Game. It came out in 2009 but its set in 1991 and all four Ghostbusters (including Ramis and Murray) reprise their roles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLTRiHCN2C8

[NFHale]

“Whatever you do, don’t cross the streams...”

“Why?”

“It would be bad... very bad...”

Straight-faced, deadpan, and hilarious. The Twinkie speech was priceless.

Sad to hear this. 69 is too young.

Hell... ANYTIME is too young.

[Cyber Liberty]

What????? NO!!!!!

[Cyber Liberty]

He also co-wrote Animal House. Now it's just Chris Miller.

[ClearBlueSky]

Egon is gone? That’s sad. I really liked him. I actually think he was sexy-in a brainy,mysterious way.

[GWB00]

Club Paradise was by far his best movie. He played Barry (Steinberg) along with Rick Moranis as Barry (Nye)

[boop]

Ramis always thought he wasn't a very good actor.

I disagree. Going back to his SCTV days, I thought he was hilarious.

I think he was more "comfortable" writing and directing, but was quite good when acting.

[RinaseaofDs]

The one he gets overlooked on every time is Heavy Metal.

One of the finest midnight movies ever.

Fear the Locnar!

[Rebelbase]

[SevenofNine]

OH yeah I remember that LOL!

[2ndDivisionVet]

Those are the uniforms from my time period in the Army. He was a very funny guy amongst many others.

[NathanR]

bfl

[minnesota_bound]

They exited in your virtual world.
So you are the one that did him in!
Next we will read about Bill Murray!
Thanks a lot buddy!
: )

[Egon]

“Egon, your mucous.”

I read about this just a few minutes ago. I'm very saddened. He was extremely funny, prolific, and by all accounts a very nice guy.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

He was certainly all of that...

[DollyCali]

Loved his work..