Sad news to report this morning. Ivan Reitman, director of Ghostbusters and Twins, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75. His family confirmed the news to the AP that he died peacefully in his sleep.
The family released a statement that reads, “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 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.”
Ivan Reitman was born in Czechoslovakia on October 27, 1946, but Toronto would become his home at the age of 4. His family moved to Canada where a relative was already established. Reitman rose to fame in 1978 when he produced National Lampoon’s Animal House which he followed up by helming Meatballs the same year. This opened the doors for him in comedy, landing him producing and directing jobs in Stripes, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Space Jam, and No Strings Attached.
His biggest hit, and the film he’s likely to be remembered for the most, was 1984’s Ghostbusters. Starring Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, who penned the screenplay, and Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, and Annie Potts. It went on to become the second highest-grossing film of the year following Beverly Hills Cop.
In 2021, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released and that film was directed by his son, Jason Reitman. He also revisited the Space Jam franchise last year, serving as producer of A New Legacy starring LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Zendaya.
What may be in limbo now is the sequel to the Arnold Schwarzenegger film Twins that was to be called Triplets, starring Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and the newly added Tracy Morgan in the role of their long lost sibling. Reitman was set to direct and produce the project. We’ll have to wait and see what will be done with that film moving forward.
Our thoughts are with the Reitman family and his fans during this difficult time. I personally want to say that Ivan Reitman directed so many films that I hold dear to my heart and I certainly will be celebrating his legacy today and for many years to come.