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(JTA) — Harold Ramis, an actor, writer and director who had a hand in such iconic comedies as “Groundhog Day,” “Ghostbusters” and “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” has died.<\/p>\n
Ramis died early Monday morning in Chicago from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels, the Chicago Tribune reported, citing Ramis’ wife, Erica. He was 69.<\/p>\n
In addition to directing “Groundhog Day,” Ramis wrote and directed “Caddyshack,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Analyze This.” He also directed episodes of NBC’s “The Office.”<\/p>\n
As an actor, his best-known film roles came in “Ghostbusters” and “Stripes,” both of which he co-wrote and both with Bill Murray.<\/p>\n
Ramis, a Chicago native, graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. He acted in Chicago’s Second City improvisational comedy troupe along with Murray and John Belushi.<\/p>\n
He lived in Los Angeles from the late 1970s before returning to Chicago, basing his production company in a Chicago suburb.<\/p>\n
Ramis had a Jewish upbringing, and later immersed himself in Zen Buddhism, according to the Chicago Tribune.<\/p>\n
He was well known as a Chicago Cubs fan, leading the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n