Writer, director and producer Ivan Reitman, who grew from a maverick horror helmer to one of the great comedy mavens of the past five decades, died February 12 at age 75. The Czechoslovak-born Canadian filmmaker passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at home in Montecito, California, family reported to AP News.
Reitman specialized in raucous comedies, beginning with his big break producing Animal House (1978). He directed Bill Murray in his first starring role in Meatballs (1979), followed shortly by Stripes (1981) and in the smash-hit franchise starter Ghostbusters (1984), which grossed nearly $300 million and earned two Oscar nominations — for best visual effects and original song (Ray Parker, Jr.).
Reitman directed and produced the original Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II (1989) and served as producer on the 2016 reboot and last year’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which was directed by his son, Jason Reitman. Reitman was also tapped as producer on Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming animated feature project for the franchise and the Ecto Force TV series.
Animation fans will know Reitman as the producer of 1981’s adult animation anthology movie Heavy Metal (a new 4K release of which is planned for April) as well as the ’90s hybrid classic Space Jam; he also executive produced last year’s sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Reitman’s animation executive producing credits also include the Beethoven series (1994), based on the live-action movies about a slobbery St. Bernard he also EPed; Mummies Alive! (1997); and Alienators: Evolution Continues (2001-2002), based on his alien invasion comedy Evolution (2001).
The long list of Reitman’s 20th century comedy credits also includes Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicles Twins, Kindergarten Cop and Junior; Kevin Kline/Sigourney Weaver White House comedy Dave, My Super Ex-Girlfriend and No Strings Attached. He established The Montecito Picture Company in 1998, based on the Sony lot.
Born October 27, 1946 in Komarno, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) to Hungarian Jewish parents — his mother an Auschwitz survivor and his father an underground resistance fighter — Reitman and his family emigrated to Canada as refugees when the future filmmaker was just four years old. He obtained a Bachelor of Music from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he also produced and directed many short films.
Among his notable accolades, Reitman received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.
Reitman is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Geneviève Robert, and three children: director Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking, Juno, Up in the Air); actor-writer-producer Catherine Reitman, creator of Workin’ Moms; and Caroline Reitman.
“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” Reitman’s children told the AP. “We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”
[Sources: AP News, IMDb, FilmReference.com]
