Mention the name Harold Ramis to Joe Sixpack, and, mostly likely, he’ll offer you a blank look before reaching for another Pabst Blue Ribbon. If, however, you mention that he was one of the Ghostbusters…and then, of course, clarify that he was the one who wasn’t Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, or “the black guy” (poor Ernie Hudson; all those films and TV shows he’s done, and he’s still only remembered as “the black Ghostbuster”)…finally, the light bulb of Ramis recognition will flicker on.
Yes, Harold Ramis is Dr. Egon Spengler.
It’s no surprise that Ramis’s most notable role is that of a scientist; in his high school yearbook, he indicated that his dream was to be a neurosurgeon, then went to Washington University in St. Louis to study organic chemistry. It wasn’t until Ramis got married, moved to Chicago, and joined the famed Second City comedy troupe in 1969 that he finally began down the road to fulfilling his comedic destiny. He actually bailed out of the group for a few years, returning in 1972 to meet one of the new guys: a fellow named John Belushi. Belushi really liked having Ramis as a straight man, so he invited him along to New York City to work on “The National Lampoon Radio Hour,” a move which led Ramis to write the script for “Animal House.” From there, Ramis helped define the face of comedy in the ‘70s and ‘80s, writing, directing, and starring in films from “Caddyshack” and “Stripes” to “Vacation” and the aforementioned “Ghostbusters.” His acting roles have been limited to not much more than cameos in recent years, but his work behind the camera – directing “Groundhog Day,” “Analyze This” and “Analyze That,” “Multiplicity,” “Bedazzled,” and “The Ice Harvest” – have kept him more than busy enough.
It was revealed that Ramis and Murray barely spoke to each other since making “Groundhog Day” together. Murray reportedly did reach out to Ramis to reconeect soon before Ramis passed away.
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Harold Ramis interview
We interviewed this icon around the DVD release of “The Ice Harvest.”
Harold on the Screen and Behind the Camera
Harold’s first script was “Animal House,” which is a hell of a way to get your feet wet. Then again, so is having your directorial debut listed as “Caddyshack” and making your acting debut in “Stripes.” (Plus, he wrote the former and co-wrote the latter.) Despite major roles in “Ghostbusters,” “Ghostbusters II,” and “Baby Boom,” plus a few smaller parts along the way (“As Good As It Gets,” “Orange County,” “Airheads”), he’s stayed behind the camera for the most part, helming such comedy classics as “Groundhog Day,” “Analyze This,” and, uh, “Stuart Saves His Family.” His most recent film, “The Ice Harvest,” isn’t exactly what you’d think of as a typical Ramis picture, but, c’mon, don’t try and paint the guy into a corner. He’s a man of many facets, our Harold.
Harold Ramis Quotes
On the business:
“I have no trouble selling out – I’m a benevolent hack, in a certain way – but I want to pander for something I believe in.”
On booze:
“I never had a problem with alcoholism – of all the things, that was never my issue — but I knew some really outstanding alcoholics.”