This is devastating. One of the biggest comedic talents to come out of the 1980s has passed away at the age of 69. Harold Ramis was said to be surrounded by family when he died last night at 12:53am from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, which his wife Erica Mann Ramis calls a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels. The Chicago Tribune posted the report on his death. They noted Ramis’ serious health struggles began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease, which even led to Harold having to relearn how to walk. He suffered a relapse of the vasculitis in late 2011, said Laurel Ward, vice president of development at Ramis’ Ocean Pictures production company. It’s safe to say many we unaware of his health issues.
Ramis is known to many as the lovable Egon Spengler in GHOSTBUSTERS I and II. He’s also starred in films like STRIPES and BABY BOOM. Outside of acting, which became more infrequent as the years went by, Ramis was also a very successful writer and director of some big and notable films. As a director he did CADDYSHACK, National Lampoon’s VACATION, GROUNDHOG DAY, MULTIPLICITY, ANALYZE THIS, BEDAZZLED, ANALYZE THAT and even some episode of THE OFFICE – many of those films he also wrote or collaborated on screenplays for, in addition to work on ANIMAL HOUSE, MEATBALLS and BACK TO SCHOOL. Ramis frequently collaborated with Bill Murray, and was supposed to be working on a screenplay for GHOSTBUSTERS III with Dan Aykroyd. He’s one of those guys you realize worked on some of the most iconic and memorable comedies of the 1980s. As a kid, I saw GHOSTBUSTERS in a theater probably fifty times, I genuinely loved that movie. Ramis was one of those talents I always hoped to talk to, though no amount of time would have allowed for a satisfactory interview. Harold Ramis should be an inspiration to all young comedic talents, whether they aspire to work in front of or behind the camera. Our thoughts go out to his family in this difficult time. Thank you for all your hard work, Harold… we will miss you greatly and remember you fondly.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
