The comedic genius was the mastermind behind some of the best comedies from the '80s

Feb 25, 2014 13:30 GMT  ·  By

Hollywood and New York are in mourning at the loss of one of the greatest comedic minds that have been active in the last four decades. The news that Harold Ramis, actor, writer and director of comedy, has passed away at just 69 years old is taking its toll on celebrities and fans alike.

Ramis' resume includes some of the best comedies from the ‘80s, as well as some recent titles that went on to achieve box office success and some, even a cult following. Among his best known were “Stripes,” “Ghostbusters,” “Groundhog Day” and “Analyze This.”

Entertaiment Weekly reports that the director / actor died on Tuesday, February 24, from complications relating to auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis. Ramis had been battling with the condition for the past four years. At the time of his passing, he is reported to have been surrounded by friends and family.

His comedic work started out in Hollywood as early as 1978, when he co-wrote the hugely successful “National Lampoon's Animal House,” a movie that has since gained cult status. But this would only be the beginning of a fruitful career, during which Ramis tried and succeeded to bring intelligent humor to Hollywood.

He went on to co-write scripts for other important comedic titles, such as “Stripes,” “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II” and “Groundhog Day.” These are movies in which he also starred, making memorable appearances that have since gone into viewers’ collective memory.

As a testament to his creative genius, Ramis would also take on the director's chair to helm a series of successful ‘80s comedies, such as “Caddyshack” (1980) and “National Lampoon's Vacation.” More recently, he was penned the script for 1999 mobster comedy “Analyze This” starring Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro.

A man particularly hit by the news of Ramis' demise is actor Bill Murray, who is a fellow Chicagoan of the late comedian and who worked with him on many projects. “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,” said Murray in a statement.

Among the other people that have paid their respects to Harold Ramis were Dan Akroyd, Steve Carrell, Andie MacDowell, Jack Black, Seth MacFarlane, Stephen Fry and Billy Crystal. Most of them had worked with Ramis directly while others just admired his work and were shocked and saddened at his unexpected passing.

Harold Ramis is survived by his wife, Erica, his three children and two grandchildren.