Ivan Reitman, best known for directing hit comedies like Ghostbusters, Twins and Kindergarten Cop, has passed away at the age of 75.
The popular filmmaker died peacefully in his sleep at his home in California. In a statement, his children 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 film-maker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world.”
Born in Komarno (now Slovakia), Reitman and his family fled Communist opposition and moved to Canada, where he trained in filmmaking.
After making a number of short films, he then helmed his first major features in the form of lowly comedies Foxy Lady (1971) and Cannibal Girls (1973). Around that time, he also helped produce a couple of early David Cronenberg projects, including Shivers (1975) and Rabid (1977).
However, his first major success came in 1978 when he produced the hit frat boy comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House; a film that helped launch his career in comedies.
A year later, he directed the comedy Meatballs (1979) which sparked the beginning of a productive collaboration with actor Bill Murray. The duo then worked on the army-based caper Stripes (1981) in which Murray was paired with future co-star Harold Ramis.
However, Reitman’s most memorable project came in 1984 when he directed the hit supernatural comedy Ghostbusters. The film starred Murray, Ramis and Dan Aykroyd as three unemployed scientists who started their own business as a unique ghost removal service.
It proved a massive success with critics and audiences, as it grossed over $200m (£147m) worldwide and earned two Oscar nominations. One of those nods was for Ray Parker Jr.’s popular tune “Ghostbusters” for which the music video was actually shot by Reitman himself.
Unsurprisingly, it also spawned a franchise that included an underwhelming follow-up in Ghostbusters II (1989), the critically-maligned all-female reboot Ghostbusters (2016) and last year’s nostalgia-filled sequel Ghostbusters: Afterlife (directed by Reitman’s filmmaker son Jason).
After making the romantic comedy Legal Eagles (1986) with Robert Redford, Reitman then forged an unlikely new collaboration with action-star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Despite his prowess for guns and explosions, the Austrian actor excelled as a comedic star with his leading roles in the hit productions Twins (1988), Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Junior (1994).
Reitman’s latest major success as a director came with the political comedy Dave (1993) which featured Kevin Kline in dual roles. He later went on to helm a mixture of films like Fathers’ Day (1997), Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), Evolution (2001), My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2011), No Strings Attached (2011) and Draft Day (2014).
Towards the end of his career, he received an Oscar nomination for producing the comedic drama Up in the Air (2009); a film directed by his son Jason.
His other contributions to producing included commercial hits like Heavy Metal (1981), Beethoven (1992), Space Jam (1996), Road Trip (2000), Old School (2003), EuroTrip (2004), I Love You, Man (2009), Hitchcock (2012) and Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021).
Reitman is survived by his wife Geneviève Robert and three children.
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