A brief filmography
His face might not look familiar, but chances are you’re probably familiar with at least one of Harold Ramis’ films. The late director/writer/actor, who died early Monday at age 69, left behind a notable body of work. Here are five standouts:
“Animal House” (1978)
Ramis was one of the writers of this hit film, focusing on the crazy escapades of a 1962 college fraternity. It reunited him with John Belushi, a Second City sketch comedy cohort. At the time, Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert called “Animal House” “vulgar, raunchy, ribald, and occasionally scatological” and gave it four stars. It helped launch Ramis, and everyone involved in the film, to fame.
“Caddyshack” (1980)
The sports comedy marked Ramis’ feature film directorial debut. Aside from that pesky gopher, the film starred Chevy Chase, Ted Knight, Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield. Ramis also wrote the screenplay to the sequel, “Caddyshack II,” which followed in 1988 but was not nearly as successful.
“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983)
Ramis directed the first film from “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series, which stars Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and a rotation of actors who play their children (even though they are the same characters). The first film follows the Griswold family’s adventures as patriarch Clark W. Griswold (Chase) is determined to journey with his brood on a road trip to Walley World for some good, old-fashioned family fun.
“Ghostbusters” (1984)
For many, this is the film that comes to mind first from Ramis’ body of work. Ramis and Dan Aykroyd both wrote and co-starred alongside Murray in the supernatural comedy. The three out-of-work parapsychology professors decide they can earn a living by exterminating poltergeists for money. It’s all fun and games until they have to face true evil forces and save New York City. Ramis tended to be the straight guy, again, offering a foil for the craziness of Aykroyd and the quiet goofiness of Murray.
“Groundhog Day” (1993)
Ramis and Murray team up yet again for this classic comedy in which Murray’s character, a Pittsburgh TV weatherman, is forced to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pa., and ends up reliving the same day over and over again. This time, Ramis stays strictly behind the camera as director, producer and screenwriter. In 2006, the film was added to the United States National Film Registry. —Gannett News Service