RIP Harold Ramis, star of Ghostbusters, writer of Caddyshack, director of Groundhog Day

Actor, writer and director Harold Ramis, perhaps most famous for his role as Egon in the 1984 classic Ghostbusters, has died this week aged 69. Ramis was also the co-writer of Ghostbusters, the film which launched his career, marking him out as a key Hollywood player who understood the need to balance intelligent comedy with high-concept plots and themes – as evidenced by another of his best-loved hits, 1993's Groundhog Day, another vehicle for lifelong friend and collaborator Bill Murray, which Ramis also co-wrote and directed. The film, which was a worldwide commercial success, was recently mentioned by Murray in an 'ask me anything' thread on Reddit, in which the actor argued that the film deserved a major critical re-examination. "To me it was no question the greatest script of the year," said Murray.

Ramis had a long and storied career, co-writing the scripts for two early Murray classics – Stripes and Caddyshack, the latter also his directorial debut – in the late 70s and early 80s. He also co-wrote the classic fraternity comedy Animal House – one of the best-loved comedy movies in cinema history – in 1978. In later years, he helmed the Robert DeNiro / Billy Crystal comedy vehicle Analyze This, and directed several episodes of the critically-acclaimed US version of The Office. 

Ramis began his career as a joke editor for Playboy magazine before being hired to write for The National Lampoon Radio Hour in 1974, alongside John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. The radio show, an offshoot of the magazine of the same name, eventually folded, with several of the staff going on to write for the first few seasons of Saturday Night Live. Ramis headed for Edmonton in Canada instead, becoming a member of the Second City TV cast and head of the writing team. The show was considered Canada's SNL equivalent, and helped launch his film career, collaborating with producer Ivan Reitman on a string of films, including his most celebrated outings with Bill Murray.

Both Murray and Ramis' Ghostbusters co-star Dan Akroyd paid tribute to the actor, writer and director, with Aykroyd tweeting: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my brilliant, gifted, funny friend, co-writer/performer and teacher Harold Ramis." Murray meanwhile issued a statement to Time Magazine saying: "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." Billy Crystal, whom Ramis directed in Analyze This and its sequel, tweeted: "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."

The generation of comedians and actors for whom Ramis was a key formative influence also added their voices to the chorus mourning his passing on Twitter. Steve Carell, star of the US version of The Office, tweeted: "Harold Ramis. Funny, gracious, kind hearted. A joy to have known you." Seth McFarlane, creator of Family Guy, tweeted: "Harold Ramis was a brilliant, shining example for every comedy writer hoping to achieve excellence the field.  He will be sorely missed." Actor and director Jon Favreau tweeted: "No no not Harold Ramis. Worked for him years ago. He was the real deal. Growing up, his work changed my life. He will be missed." Other stars tweeting their sympathies and remembrances included Steve Martin, Julianne Moore, Patton Oswalt, Henry Winkler, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Fry, and Pee-Wee Herman. Filmmaker Dan Mirvish provided one of the funniest and most apt tweets in memory of Ramis, saying: "'In 1993 Harold Ramis called me [and] told me his 2 rules of directing comedy: '1. Hire Bill Murray 2. Turn on camera."