Harold Ramis

Improvisational comic, joke writer and editor, performer on "The National Lampoon Radio Hour" and "The National Lampoon Show," head writer and featured performer on Second City TV. He co-wrote "Animal House"! He co-wrote "Meatballs"! He co-wrote and directed "Caddyshack"! He directed "National Lampoon's Vacation"! He co-wrote and co-starred in "Stripes"! He co-wrote and co-starred in "Ghostbusters"! HE CO-WROTE, AND DIRECTED, "GROUNDHOG DAY"! He directed the very under-regarded "The Ice Harvest" -- via the Chicago Tribune.

One of the primary inspirations for our generation of comic writers and performers! Even his supporting roles were exquisitely delivered -- Egon Spengler in "Ghostbusters," Russell in "Stripes," Don Durkett in "Orange County," and Ben's Dad in "Knocked Up." I miss him already. P.S. He took a bunch of meth to fail his physical and get out of the draft, and he loved the Cubs.