Ivan Reitman, Director Of Ghostbusters, Dies At 75

Ivan Reitman, the filmmaker and producer behind the iconic comedies of the 1970s and 80s from Animal House to Ghostbusters, has died. He was 75.

Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday (Feb 12) in Montecito, California, his family confirmed to the Associated Press. No cause of death was revealed.

In a joint statement, Reitman’s children, Jason, Catherine and Caroline said, “Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life.

“We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”

Born in Czechoslovakia and raised in Canada, Reitman made his name as the producer of 1978’s National Lampoon’s Animal House, the college fraternity comedy that which launched the movie career of Saturday Night Live star John Belushi.

Reitman then crossed over to directing features; he directed Bill Murray in his first starring role in 1979’s Meatballs, followed by 1981’s Stripes, and again in 1984’s Ghostbusters.

Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Junior and Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School, Space Jam and many others, including a few — Up in the Air, Ghostbusters: Afterlife — for his filmmaker son Jason.

Among the projects he was working on before his death include Triplets, the sequel to 1988’s Twins, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny De Vito as fraternal twins born from a genetic experiment. Tracy Morgan is set to join the follow-up as the third and long-lost sibling.

Following news of his passing, comedians, collaborators and fans took to social media to pay tribute to him.