Harold Ramis Dies: 'Ghostbusters' Actor, 'Groundhog Day' Director Dead At 69 From Rare Disease

Harold Ramis, surrounded by his family, has died at age 69 from complication of autoimmmune inflammatory vasculitis, a disease that swells the blood vessels. In May 2010, his health struggles began when he had an infection that led to complications due to this autoimmune disease. He suffered a relapse of vasculitis in 2011.

He was the head writer and performed in television series “Second City Television (SCTV)” from 1976 to 1979. He wrote “National Lampooon’s Animal House,” “Stripes” and “Ghostbusters” in which he also starred. He directed films such as “Caddyshack,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Groundhog Day” and “Analyze This.”

“The moment I knew I wouldn't be any huge comedy star was when I got on stage with John Belushi for the first time. When I saw how far he was willing to go to get a laugh or to make a point on stage, the language he would use, how physical he was, throwing himself literally off the stage, taking big falls, strangling other actors, I thought: I'm never going to be this big. How could I ever get enough attention on a stage with guys like this?” he said in an interview in 1999.

His legacy will live on as he has delighted the general public with timeless classics that people of all ages can enjoy and watch over and over again. Watch the video clip of him acting in "Ghostbusters."