Harold Ramis Dies at 69; Writer, Star and Director Helmed Ghostbusters, Stripes, Caddyshack; Started on National Lampoon’s Radio Hour

Harold Ramis died at the age of 69. Ramis is best known for his roles in "Ghostbusters" and "Stripes" and as the writer/director of "Caddyshack" and "Groundhog Day." Harold Ramis was also one of three writers on "Animal House," which changed the course of comedy.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Harold Ramis died at 12:53 a.m. from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a disease that involves the swelling of the blood vessels. According to his family, Ramis died early this morning at his home in Chicago surrounded by his family.

Ramis is survived by his wife Erica, his sons Julian and Daniel, his daughter Violet, and two grandchildren. Ramis began suffering from health issues related to his autoimmune disease in 2010.

Harold Allen Ramis was born on November 21, 1944. He is instantly recognizable from his roles as Egon Spengler in "Ghostbusters" in 1984 and Russell Ziskey in "Stripes" in 1981. Ramis directed the comedies Caddyshack in 1980, Groundhog Day in 1993 and Analyze This in  1999.

Ramis was the original head writer of the television series Second City Television (SCTV). When John Belushi brought the cast of the National Lampoon Radio Hour to New York, much of the cast, like Gilda Radner and Bill Murray moved on to Saturday Night Live. Ramis wrote screenplays, changing  the course of comedy with his college comedy Animal House, which starred John Belushi. Ramis followed this up by writing "Caddyshack," a vehicle for Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and the late great Rodney Dangerfield.

Ramis moved on to be one of the premiere American comedy directors. He led the Griswolds west in "National Lampoon's Vacation." He made Robert De Niro funny in "Analyze This." Sure, De Niro had been funny before, but this time he was trying. Ramis also directed "Ghostbusters 2" and "Caddyshack 2."