"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my brilliant, gifted, funny friend, co-writer/performer and teacher Harold Ramis. Whether as a writer, director, actor, or some combination of all three, he had his hand in infallible classics like Animal House, Caddyshack, SCTV, National Lampoons Vacation, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Stripes. This adds to the statement Murray sent to Time magazine on Feb. 25, one day after Ramis died. Living up to his elusive nature, no one was certain Murray was going to play the lead, even up until the first day of production. At the 2014 Academy Awards, Bill Murray less than one week removed from the death of his former friend and collaborator Harold Ramis was presenting the Oscar for Best Cinematography.. Stiel says her father did his best to be diplomatic about the whole thing and tried not to take it personally since Murray had been going through some personal problems at the time, but to little avail. "It was unfortunate and probably made the movie considerably less fun to make. He was a truly funny and highly intelligent man with great honesty and a great appreciation for the best kind of comedy.". Harold Ramis (right) co-wrote and starred in 1981s Stripes with Bill Murray. Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen attended the 2005 Deauville American Film Festival in France, and when they heard Ramis was there, too, they set about tracking him down, locating him at a hotel restaurant where he was doing a press junket for his movie The Ice Harvest. Harold Ramis and I together did the National Lampoon Show off-Broadway, Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, Murray told Time magazine. I played a lot of weasels, a lot of cowards; sweating cowards was my thing. But the filming of Groundhog Day provoked so much bad blood between the pair that the Stiel says her father jumped at the offer he loved The 40-Year-Old Virgin and wanted to be a part of the new, emerging comedy generation. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! ", Bill Murray and Harold Ramis stopped speaking after "Groundhog Day. Sam Raimi On Spider-Man Vs Vampires . He passed away in 2014, having never written what would have certainly been a well-made and fascinating memoir. Ive had many dreams about him, that were friends again. Bill Murray And Harold Ramis Will Save Us From The Zombie Apocalypse. Despite making six movies together, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis did not maintain a healthy relationship after filming "Groundhog Day" in 1993. Harold Ramis and I together did the National Lampoon Show off Broadway, Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day. Sean Young (left), Harold Ramis (second from left), Bill Murray (second from right) and P.J. Hes dangerous, hes terrifying, hes an extra in, How to Watch the 2023 Oscars Celebrate All 23 Categories Live Again. (Michael Ochs Archives), "At times, Bill was just really irrationally mean and unavailable; he was constantly late on set," Ramis told The New Yorker. In 1974, John Belushi recruited Murray, Ramis, and other cohorts from Chicagos Second City to New York, to begin work on The National Lampoon Radio Hour, and The National Lampoon Show. The legendary comedian admitted as much during his recent interview with Ellen DeGeneres, saying that the pair were "greatly . Whats Next for Convicted Sex Criminals Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly? Bill Murray worked with Ramis on numerous projects over many decades, and finally opened up about losing a friend (or, former friend). It seems that, over the years, Murray was able to squash some of that pride, as the two reconciled shortly before Ramis' death in 2014, but the lasting impact their feud had on the film industry itself can never be undone. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. When Ghostbusters 2 hit the theaters in 1989, it seemed like the friendship between the two was unbreakable and that they would continue collaborating for many years to come. In comedy, were out there alone, and it turns out I dont want to work aloneBill was a tremendous source of strength and protection. The actors starred i. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, Get the scoops first! "But there are so many pride issues about reaching out. Despite their growing rift, Groundhog Day was another huge hit for the pair, but after the film finished shooting, Murray refused to speak to Ramis. The tandem had broken box office records for comedies and helped usher in an anti-establishment aesthetic still going strong today. Breaking news and interviews on comics, sci-fi, horror and more. Cookies help us deliver our Services. February 24, 2014 10:42am. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital The actor chose the biggest stage to honor his late friend. And who you can expect to see performing and presenting. "Harold had an extraordinary impact on my career and I loved him like a brother. God bless him, Bill Murray said in a statement Monday about the late Harold Ramis. Perhaps, they reminisced about their time at Second City. But their friendship and professional partnership ended after the two had a falling out while working on 1993's "Groundhog Day," which Murray starred in and Ramis directed. including Bill Murray from whom he had been estranged for years, the Chicago Tribune said. "Groundhog Day" became an instant classic, and in a bittersweet sort of irony, the conflicting tone of the film (as Murray's philosophical musings on life and fulfillment clashed with Ramis' heartwarming tone) is one of the reasons the comedy is so fondly remembered. His marriage was dissolving, and his demeanor on the set was increasingly erratic. They spoke of their beloved Chicago Cubs. It seems the two reconciled before Ramis' passing. Actors Bill Murray and Harold Ramis are seen in the film "Stripes. Read: Harold Ramis, 'Ghostbusters' Star and Writer, Dead at 69 Bill Murray, who worked with Ramis not only on the "Ghostbusters" movies but a slew of other projects, was one of them. Its not clear if the two ever repaired their friendship. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Bill would give you his kidney if you needed it, but he wouldnt necessarily return your phone calls.". If a scene didnt work, Id just say, O.K., lets start lighting, and Bill and I would talk for half an hour, and wed get something great. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Reese Witherspoon Brought This Beloved Novel to the Screen & You Can Buy the Book for Only $10! Other than brief exchanges at parties over the years, the men would not reunite until just before Ramis' death in 2014, per a report by Variety. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Murray, who collaborated with the actor and filmmaker on some of the funniest movies of all time, joined the rest of Hollywood and many, many fans in mourning Ramis following his death today.. I was really copying Harolds impression of Clark. He gets hit by a bus in Manhattan, and then Murray was coming back as a ghost. The arrest gave Murray the motivation to throw himself headfirst into his comedy and acting prowess. Terms of Service apply. Rubin recalls Ramis helping rewrite the script, playing to Bill Murrays strengths to get the actor onboard as the lead. Ramis didnt have time to write everything the films big heist scene was conceived by the films prop guy, and Ramis told him to go ahead and write it up. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Violet Ramis Stiels extremely personal memoir/biography Ghostbusters Daughter: Life With My Dad, Harold Ramis hits stores today. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Ramis, who died in 2014 after suffering. Caddyshack wasnt without its difficulties though. Paul Rudd also stars as a summer school teacher. They were so much a part of the creation of it and the fun of it, Murray, wearing a panda mask, toldDeGeneres. Despite making six movies together, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis did not maintain a healthy relationship after filming "Groundhog Day" in 1993. Robin Thicke, Paula Patton Announce Separation. Bill Murray was a bonafide movie star, and Harold Ramis was one of the most in demand writer-directors in Hollywood. What Id want to say to him is just what we tell our children: You dont have to throw tantrums to get what you want. the AD asked where I wanted to put the camera. ", Bill Murray, left, and Harold Ramis, right, pictured here alongside Dan Aykroyd in "Ghostbusters," did not get along during the filming of "Groundhog Day." Stripesthe third collaboration between Murray and Ramis was their first time starring opposite each other, and the film was a hit: with a budget of $10 million, the film grossed $83 million. Bill Murray and Harold Ramis bustin' ghosts in the 1984 comedy (Image by Columbia Pictures) Bill Murray really missed working alongside Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis while filming the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Feb. 25, 2014 -- The death of "Ghostbusters" star and iconic Hollywood writer Harold Ramis caught some off-guard. Star Murray and director Ramis had such intense creative disagreements that one day Ramis grabbed Murray by the shirt collar and threw him against a wall. Theyre greatly missed for so many reason reasons. The stories you care about, delivered daily. I looked around and saw nothing but trees and manicured fairways all around, so I arbitrarily pointed, That way. The AD looked in the direction I was pointing and squinted. All Rights Reserved. But you can still make a very good movie when people are not in perfect harmony," he added. From their first meeting on "The National Lampoon Radio Hour" in 1974, the two comedians took an instant liking to one another, something Ramis insisted was due to their contrasting comedic styles, and how well those styles complemented one another (per The New Yorker). "It was a tense shoot for a number of reasons," Albert told The Hollywood Reporter, ahead of the films 30th anniversary. Murray's statement is noteworthy since he and Ramis had a fruitful creative partnership which saw Ramis write the actor's hit comedies "Meatballs" (1979) and "Caddyshack" (1980), and co-star together in 1981's "Stripes," 1984's "Ghostbusters" and its 1989 sequel. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", Sean Young (left), Harold Ramis (second from left), Bill Murray (second from right) and P.J. Then, in 2011, he suffered a relapse, and he was never the same. "Harold Ramis and I together did the 'National Lampoon Show' off Broadway, 'Meatballs,' 'Stripes,' 'Caddyshack,' 'Ghostbusters' and 'Groundhog Day. During his career, the prolific actor inhabited an array of troubled characters. From the very start of the production, Murray made it clear thathis vision for "Groundhog Day"was in stark contrast to the vision Ramis had in mind, even going so far as to do his own rewrites of Ramis' already rewritten script. At the Chicago OHare airport at only 21-years old Murray was arrested with 10 pounds of marijuana, and placed on probation, narrowly avoiding jail time. The first was a surprise hit, necessitating a sequel. Can Anyone Predict Whos Going to Win Best Supporting Actress? Though Groundhog Day ultimately proved a success, Murray and Ramis did not. I thought, Harold is my secret weapon. Was it because I kissed you? When it was released in 1978, Animal House earned a whopping $141 million, which at the time was a record-breaking haul for the comedy genre. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Harold Ramis sudden death left Hollywood in shock, and many friends and former co-stars in mourning. "I was really copying Harold's impression of Clark. Ramis, 69, passed away Monday from complications from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, which he had been suffering from since 2010. Stripes: Directed by Ivan Reitman. Travis Barkers Finger Is Now the Enema of Blink-182 Fans. Ramis . When he returned in 1972, John Belushi had taken his place, and Ramis would settle into a straight-man role that would pervade the rest of his acting career. A short time later, his body was found in Kauai, Hawaii after falling off a cliff. He previously suffered a brain aneurysm on February 18, and was ultimately taken off life support. Harold Ramis' sudden death left Hollywood in shock, and many friends and former co-stars in mourning. Amy Adams, left, and Bill Murray, right, speak onstage during the Oscars on Mar. With their professional relationship at a strain, Ramis sent Rubin to work with Murray on the script in lieu of their usual collaborative writing sessions. Caddyshack was the next collaboration between Murray and Ramis, and together, they would find that their cinematic sensibilities were perfectly in sync. Its a huge hole in my life, Ramis added in the interview. Soles, the stars of the film 'Stripes'. Murray (left) and Ramis star in the film 'Stripes' (1981). Harold Ramis Year One Arrivals - H 2014. His health began to severely deteriorate when, in May 2010, he contracted an infection related to the disease. When Ramis would call to check up on their progress, Murray would ignore the phone calls. And when they did finally speak, it was with the shadow of death looming over them. Privacy Policy and Ramis directed Murray in two films 1980s Caddyshack and 1993s Groundhog Day and while working on the latter, Ramis talked to us about the unique challenges of working with his enigmatic (and sometimes problematic) star. Just say what you want.'. Ramis would leave the theater briefly after an LSD trip led to a revelation that he didnt belong on the stage. After reading the list of nominees, Murray said, Oh, we forgot one. His close friend and constant collaborator Harold Ramis died last week at 69 years old. Murray's disdain for the warm tone of the film is no surprise when you realize that, at the time of filming, he was undergoing a brutal midlife crisis that was tearing his life apart, according to Ramis' daughter, Violet Ramis Stiel (per Parade). Murray, despite his status as one of the most beloved actors in history, has always had a reputation as someone with whom it's tough to collaborate. Murray wanted the film to be an existential, chilling picture, while Ramis wanted it to be a studio-friendly comedy. The actor talked about all the projects the duo worked on together. After reading off the names of the nominees, Murray squeezed in a shout out to his friend, who died of an autoimmune inflammatory disease, saying, "We forgot one. God bless him.. He earned his keep on this planet. Their follow-up project, "Groundhog Day," is widely regarded as one the best films in Murray's entire filmography, and was a smash hit when it released in 1993. Both refused to budge, and their arguments got so bad, eventually the two would not even speak to one another, instead relaying messages through an assistant (per CheatSheet). A naturally gifted writer, Ramis first foray into the printed word would be with the Chicago Daily News in the mid-60s. Bill Murray, who worked with Ramis not only on the "Ghostbusters" movies but a slew of other projects, was one of them.