Bill Murray & Dan Aykroyd Pay Tribute To Harold Ramis
The actor, writer and director died yesterday aged 69
Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd have paid tribute to their fellow cast member and friend Harold Ramis who died yesterday aged 69.
Best known for his role as Dr Egon Spendler in Ghostbusters and for directing the 1993 cult classic Groundhog Day, Ramis died from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis – a rare disease that swells the blood vessels.
Paying homage to his Ghostbusters co-star, Dan Aykroyd hailed Ramis as “brilliant, gifted and funny”.
He wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my brilliant, gifted, funny friend, co-writer/performer and teacher Harold Ramis.”
In a statement to TIME Magazine, Bill Murray said: "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."
Comedian Billy Crystal wrote on Twitter: “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.”
Iron Man director Jon Favreau said: "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."
And Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane wrote: "Harold Ramis was a brilliant, shining example for every comedy writer hoping to achieve excellence in the field."
Stephen Fry Tweeted: “Stunned and saddened to hear of the death of Harold Ramis. A comedy hero...”
Ramis leaves behind three children, two grandchildren and his second wife Erica Mann.
"His creativity, compassion, intelligence, humour and spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him," his family said in a statement.
Harold Ramis in Ghostbusters