Harold Ramis
Biography
Harold Allen Ramis was an American actor and filmmaker who specialized in comedy. He was born on November 21, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, and died on February 24, 2014. His best-known film acting roles include Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters in 1984 and Russell Ziskey in Stripes in 1981, both of which he co-wrote. As a writer and director, his film credits include the comedies Caddyshack in 1980, Groundhog Day in 1993, and Analyze This in 1999. He also served as the original head writer and a performer on the television series SCTV, and was one of three screenwriters for the 1978 film National Lampoon's Animal House.
Career overview
Harold Allen Ramis was an American actor, filmmaker, and comedian who specialized in comedy. Born on November 21, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, his career encompassed work as a writer, director, producer, actor, and head writer. He served as the original head writer of the television series SCTV, in which he also performed.
Ramis is widely known for his film acting roles, most notably as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters in 1984 and as Russell Ziskey in Stripes in 1981, both of which he also co-wrote. As a writer and director, his film credits include the comedies Caddyshack in 1980, Groundhog Day in 1993, and Analyze This in 1999. Additionally, he was one of three screenwriters for the film National Lampoon's Animal House in 1978.
Throughout his career, Ramis established himself as a prominent figure in comedy through his contributions to writing, directing, and performance. He passed away on February 24, 2014.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
95 titles- You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... (2026) as Self (archive footage)
- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) as Self (archive footage)
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) as Self - Head Writer & Actor, SCTV (archive footage)
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) Original Film Writer
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) as Dr. Egon Spengler (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) Original Film Writer
- Belushi (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters (2020) as Self
- The Movies That Made Us (2019) as Dr. Egon Spengler (archive footage)
- Ghostbusters (2016) Characters
- Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead (2015) as Self - Actor / Director (archive footage)
- Thank You, Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon (2015) as Self
- Inside Story: National Lampoon's Vacation (2011) as Self
- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009) as Self
- Year One (2009) as Adam
- Year One (2009) Screenplay
- Year One (2009) Director
- Year One (2009) Producer
- My Suicide (2009) Executive Producer
- Caddyshack: The Inside Story (2009) as Himself
- Animal House: The Inside Story (2008) as Self
- Knocked Up (2007) as Ben's Dad
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) as L'Chaim
- Students of 'The Graduate' (2007) as Himself
- Students of 'The Graduate' (2007) as Self
- The Last Kiss (2006) as Professor Bowler
- Second City: First Family of Comedy (2006) as Self
- I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With (2006) Executive Producer
- The Office (2005) Director
- The Ice Harvest (2005) Director
- Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago River (2004) as Self
- Stork Day (2004) Original Film Writer
- The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002) Executive Producer
- Analyze That (2002) Screenplay
- Analyze That (2002) Director
- Orange County (2002) as Don Durkett
- I'm with Lucy (2002) as Jack
- Groundhog Day: The Weight of Time (2002) as Self
- Bedazzled (2000) Director
- Bedazzled (2000) Screenplay
- Bedazzled (2000) Producer
- Analyze This (1999) Screenplay
- Analyze This (1999) Director
- Ghostbusters 1999 (1999) as Self
- Caddyshack: The 19th Hole (1999) as Self - Director
- The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion (1998) as Self - Writer
- As Good as It Gets (1997) as Dr. Bettes
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- Multiplicity (1996) Producer
- Multiplicity (1996) Director
- Stuart Saves His Family (1995) Director
- Airheads (1994) as Chris Moore
- Love Affair (1994) as Sheldon Blumenthal
- Groundhog Day (1993) as Neurologist
- Groundhog Day (1993) Screenplay
- Groundhog Day (1993) Producer
- Groundhog Day (1993) Director
- Rover Dangerfield (1991) Story Developer
- Rover Dangerfield (1991) Story
- The Earth Day Special (1990) as Elon Spengler
- Ghostbusters II (1989) as Dr. Egon Spengler
- Ghostbusters II (1989) Screenplay
- Ghostbusters II (1989) Characters
- Stealing Home (1988) as Alan Appleby
- The Best of SCTV (1988)
- The Best of SCTV (1988) Writer
- Caddyshack II (1988) Screenplay
- Caddyshack II (1988) Characters
- Baby Boom (1987) as Steven Buchner
- The Real Ghostbusters (1986) Creator
- Back to School (1986) Screenplay
- Back to School (1986) Executive Producer
- Armed and Dangerous (1986) Screenplay
- Club Paradise (1986) Director
- Club Paradise (1986) Screenplay
- Meatballs III: Summer Job (1986) Characters
- Richard Lewis: I'm In Pain (1985) as Self
- Ghostbusters (1984) as Egon Spengler
- Ghostbusters (1984) Screenplay
- On the Scene with the Ghostbusters (1984)
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) as Car salesman (voice) (uncredited)
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) Director
- Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983) as Voice (Uncredited)
- The Rodney Dangerfield Special: I Can't Take It No More (1983) as Self / Various
- The Rodney Dangerfield Show: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1982) Writer
- Stripes (1981) as Russell Ziskey
- Stripes (1981) Screenplay
- Heavy Metal (1981) as Zeke (voice)
- SCTV Network 90 (1981) Writer
- Caddyshack (1980) Director
- Caddyshack (1980) Writer
- Meatballs (1979) Writer
- Animal House (1978) Writer
- Second City Television (1976) as Self - Various Characters
- Second City Television (1976) Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Harold Ramis best known for?
Harold Ramis is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Marty, Life Is Short (2026), John Candy: I Like Me (2025), Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).
When and where was Harold Ramis born?
Harold Ramis was born on November 21, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. They passed away on February 24, 2014.
How many credits does Harold Ramis have?
Harold Ramis has accumulated over 95 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1976 to 2026.
What is Harold Ramis's background in cinema and television?
Harold Allen Ramis was an American actor and filmmaker who specialized in comedy. He was born on November 21, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, and died on February 24, 2014. His best-known film acting roles include Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters in 1984 and Russell Ziskey in Stripes in 1981, both of which he co-wrote. As a w...
Harold Ramis by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 81
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) as Self - Head Writer & Actor, SCTV (archive footage) — aged about 80
- Second City Television (1976) as Self - Various Characters — aged about 31
- Groundhog Day (1993) as Neurologist — aged about 48
- Ghostbusters (1984) as Egon Spengler — aged about 39
- As Good as It Gets (1997) as Dr. Bettes — aged about 52
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