The first R-rated movie I ever saw was Stripes. And strangely enough, my super overprotective father took me, not realizing that it was probably not appropriate for someone my age. Still, I remember my dad bellowing with laughter, and I also remember screaming “That’s the fact, Jack!” during P.E. for weeks afterward. Now, today, we all learned that one of the stars and writers of the film, Harold Ramis, has died. He was 69 years old.
Harold Ramis’ contribution to movies is immeasurable. As a writer, actor and director, Ramis’ comedic voice is unforgettable. The Chicago native leaves behind a legacy that will endure for years to come. Ramis wrote, co-wrote and/or directed many of my favorite movies. From Animal House in 1978 to Meatballs, to Caddyshack to Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, my childhood (and much of my adulthood) WAS Harold Ramis films. Thanks to Ramis’ skills for writing comedies that were equally silly and intelligent, so many of his closest friends and collaborators were able to really shine on the big screen (most notably his Second City alums Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd).
Willing to Learn - Stripes (2/8) Movie CLIP (1981) HD
And it wasn’t just the incredibly witty writing that made me love Harold Ramis so much. No, it was his acting. When I was a kid, I didn’t even know that Ramis wrote so many of the films he starred in. I just knew that when I was watching him on screen, I was laughing. I wanted to be his character’s friend. I was totally in on the joke. All of us were.
No words I write could ever accurately sum up the extraordinary career Harold Ramis had, but consider this: The first movie that Harold Ramis ever wrote was Animal House. The first movie he ever directed? Caddyshack. Seriously, just check out his IMDb page for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed.
Harold Ramis’ wife, Erica Mann Ramis, says her husband passed away from complications of autoimmune vasculitis. Rest in peace, Egon.
Photo courtesy of Canada.com
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