Ivan Reitman, the director of Ghostbusters, has died at the age of 75, his family has confirmed.
The filmmaker not only directed the iconic comedy starring Bill Murray and Dan Ackroyd, but also produced classics such as Animal House.
In a joint statement to Associated Press, his children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said: “Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,
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“We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”
Reitman became known for the comedies that he produced and directed, starting out with the successful National Lampoon’s Animal House.
He also gave Bill Murray his break in Meatballs, before his biggest success came with Ghostbusters.
Starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis, the film went on to gross nearly $300 million at the box office and garnered two Academy Award nominations.
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A second film followed, and the franchise continues until this day, with TV shows and rebooted movies having followed.
As well as that success, he also had a hand in films such as Beethoven, Kindergarten Cop, and Old School.
Reitman and his family were forced to flee Czechoslovakia in 1946 when he was just four-years-old.
After travelling to Austria initially, they eventually moved to Toronto in Canada where it became clear that Reitman would carve out a career in show business.
He first started up a puppet theatre, as well as playing music, before he went on to McMaster University in Ontario to study Music and Drama.
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That’s when he started making short movies, before he eventually progressed later in his career to feature films.
Tributes have been paid to the filmmaker online since the news broke, with one fan writing: “Ivan Reitman created one of cinemas most recognisable themes & films in Ghostbusters, that have thus far spanned decades, aging like beauty & introducing themselves to new generations.
“They won't ever be forgotten, and nor will he. This is upsetting, may he rest peacefully..”
Another said: “RIP to the great Ivan Reitman. What more can be said about GHOSTBUSTERS?
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“Pure glorious entertainment.
“DAVE is a masterpiece I absolutely adore. So many gifts to my generation of film lovers and makers. Condolences to his family.”
Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, US News
Tom Wood