Harold Ramis, best known for his work in "Ghostbusters", "Groundhog Day", "National Lampoon's Vacation", and "Caddyshack", dies at the age of 69. Harold Ramis' cause of death according to his wife, Erica Mann, was due to complications of his "autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis", a rare disease that involves the swelling of blood vessels.
Various celebrities and friends reacted to Harold Ramis death which includes Bill Murray, Dan Akyord, Andie MacDowell, and more just to name a few.
A true comedy Renaissance man, Harold Ramis was a towering influence in Hollywood with a streaks of hits that stretched from the 1978 classic "Animal House," which he wrote, to 1984's blockbuster "Ghostbusters," which he wrote and starred, up to the 1999 hit "Analyze This," and its sequel "Analyze That," to whic he wrote and directed.
In a statement made by his Ghostbusters co-star and close friend, Bill Murray.
"Harold Ramis and I together did the National Lampoon Show off Broadway, Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day. He earned his keep on this planet. God bless him."
Ramis's other Ghostbuster co-star Dan Akyord also said that,
"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my brilliant, gifted, funny friend, co-writer/performer and teacher Harold Ramis."
Groundhog Day and Multiplicity star Andie MacDowell also shared his thoughts on Ramis.
"I was fortunate to be able to do two movies with Harold Ramis. He was the kindest of any director with whom I worked. Harold was a genius. On top of his talent, he could do the New York Times crossword puzzle faster than anyone!! I am lucky to have known him as well as I did. I will miss him."
A Chicago native, Ramis moved back to his hometown with his family in 1996. "I feel like I represent the city in a certain way," he said a few years later.
In 2010 Ramis began having health problems following an infection that ultimately caused his rare condition.
Many well known stars and personalities have taken to Twitter and expressed their feelings on Ramis's death. Here are the tweets below.
Very very sad to hear about Harold Ramis passing. He directed Vacation which is simply my favorite comedy of all time
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) February 24, 2014
Harold Ramis was a brilliant, shining example for every comedy writer hoping to achieve excellence the field. He will be sorely missed. — Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 24, 2014
So sad about Harold Ramis. Comedy legend. And a lovely man. #GriswaldsForever #Ghostbusters #GroundhogDay
— Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) February 24, 2014
On set we were sharing stories...Harold Ramis told us he once put on his ghostbusters suit for Halloween & greeted trick or treaters. — Angela Kinsey (@AngelaKinsey) February 24, 2014
Harold Ramis. Funny, gracious, kind hearted. A joy to have known you.
— Steve Carell (@SteveCarell) February 24, 2014
Sad to hear my friend Harold Ramis passed away. A brilliant, funny, actor and director. A wonderful husband and dad. Big loss to us all. bc — Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) February 24, 2014
Harold Ramis RIP. no one could ever top him in terms of somehow being Cool & off-the-charts creative and incredibly kind & gracious
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) February 24, 2014
Harold Ramis was a kind, wise, hilarious, brilliant guy with a buddhist heart. So grateful to have worked for him. Sending love to his fam. — olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) February 24, 2014
"I collect spores, molds, and fungus" - condolences to the family and friends of the great Harold Ramis
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) February 24, 2014
So sorry to hear about the death of Harold Ramis, a comedy master. Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and more. — Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) February 24, 2014
