Ivan Reitman, the acclaimed producer and director of comedies like “Ghostbusters” and “Animal House” who influenced a generation of moviegoers, died at age 75.
Sony Pictures paid tribute on Monday to “a great talent and an even better man.
“Tonight the lady with the torch cries, as do all of us at Columbia and movie lovers around the world. Ivan Reitman was an inseparable part of this studio’s legacy, but more than that, he was a friend,” Tom Rothman, CEO of Sony Pictures, said in a statement posted on the studio’s Twitter account.
The news sparked a wave of protests.including of course the stars of “Ghostbusters” (1984), one of the most popular comedies ever made.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ivan Reitman. Truly a great man and filmmaker, whom I had the honor and privilege of knowing and with whom I had the privilege of working. My condolences to Jason and the entire family,” tweeted Ernie Hudson, who played ghostbuster Winston Zeddemore in the original film and its 1989 sequel, and who made a cameo appearance in the 2016 remake.
He was referring to Reitman’s son, Jason, a popular movie director like “Juno” and “Ghostbusters: Legacy.”
“I am absolutely shocked,” tweeted Paul Feig, who directed the 2016 version with an all-female cast of Ghostbusters.
“I had the honor of working very closely with Iván and it was always a learning experience. He directed some of my favorite comedies of all time. All of us in comedy owe him a lot. Thanks for everything, Ivan. Really,” he wrote.
“Ivan Reitman was old school in the best way, and kind. Loved working with him. Sad that he’s gone, makes me feel older and the movies of my childhood are farther away than ever. RIP,” he tweeted actress Mindy Kaling.
– Talent School –
In his decades-long career, Reitman produced and directed films that helped shape the talents of major comedic stars like Bill Murray, who in addition to “Ghostbusters” he also starred in Reitman’s hits “Meatballs” and “The Nutty Squad.”
Reitman also produced the blockbuster “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978), which became one of the most beloved and chaotic depictions of the sorority system on American college campuses.
But it was “Ghostbusters” that launched a Hollywood dynasty.featuring the story of four men who take on marshmallow monsters and slimy green spirits in an attempt to save New York from a supernatural invasion that spawned decades of sequels and remakes.
The iconic outfits worn by his four stars remain one of the most popular and recognizable Halloween costumes to this day.
Reitman was born in Komarno, in what is now Slovakia, on October 27, 1946.. His Jewish parents survived the Nazis but four years after his birth they fled Czechoslovakia to escape communism. They settled in Toronto.
He leaves his son Jason and his daughters Catherine and Caroline.
Ivan Reitman, the acclaimed producer and director of comedies like “Ghostbusters” and “Animal House” who influenced a generation of moviegoers, died at age 75.
Sony Pictures paid tribute on Monday to “a great talent and an even better man.
“Tonight the lady with the torch cries, as do all of us at Columbia and movie lovers around the world. Ivan Reitman was an inseparable part of this studio’s legacy, but more than that, he was a friend,” Tom Rothman, CEO of Sony Pictures, said in a statement posted on the studio’s Twitter account.
The news sparked a wave of protests.including of course the stars of “Ghostbusters” (1984), one of the most popular comedies ever made.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ivan Reitman. Truly a great man and filmmaker, whom I had the honor and privilege of knowing and with whom I had the privilege of working. My condolences to Jason and the entire family,” tweeted Ernie Hudson, who played ghostbuster Winston Zeddemore in the original film and its 1989 sequel, and who made a cameo appearance in the 2016 remake.
He was referring to Reitman’s son, Jason, a popular movie director like “Juno” and “Ghostbusters: Legacy.”
“I am absolutely shocked,” tweeted Paul Feig, who directed the 2016 version with an all-female cast of Ghostbusters.
“I had the honor of working very closely with Iván and it was always a learning experience. He directed some of my favorite comedies of all time. All of us in comedy owe him a lot. Thanks for everything, Ivan. Really,” he wrote.
“Ivan Reitman was old school in the best way, and kind. Loved working with him. Sad that he’s gone, makes me feel older and the movies of my childhood are farther away than ever. RIP,” he tweeted actress Mindy Kaling.
– Talent School –
In his decades-long career, Reitman produced and directed films that helped shape the talents of major comedic stars like Bill Murray, who in addition to “Ghostbusters” he also starred in Reitman’s hits “Meatballs” and “The Nutty Squad.”
Reitman also produced the blockbuster “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978), which became one of the most beloved and chaotic depictions of the sorority system on American college campuses.
But it was “Ghostbusters” that launched a Hollywood dynasty.featuring the story of four men who take on marshmallow monsters and slimy green spirits in an attempt to save New York from a supernatural invasion that spawned decades of sequels and remakes.
The iconic outfits worn by his four stars remain one of the most popular and recognizable Halloween costumes to this day.
Reitman was born in Komarno, in what is now Slovakia, on October 27, 1946.. His Jewish parents survived the Nazis but four years after his birth they fled Czechoslovakia to escape communism. They settled in Toronto.
He leaves his son Jason and his daughters Catherine and Caroline.
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