In Memoriam: Ivan Reitman, Director of ‘Ghostbusters,’ Dies at 75

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CHICAGO – He helmed some of the most beloved comedies of the last three decades of the 20th Century, including “Meatballs,” “Stripes,” “Twins” “Kindergarten Cop” and of course “Ghostbusters” (and its sequel). Ivan Reitman passed away on February 12th, 2022. He was age 75.

Reitman was born in Czechoslovakia, and moved with his family to Canada as a child. He graduated from McMasters University (Ontario) with a degree in music, but he also produced and directed several short films while there. After working in television and as a producer for stage he moved into film production. After producing a couple films for director David Cronenberg, he caught his big break as the producer of “Animal House” in 1978.

Ivan Reitman in Chicago, 2018
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Reitman then transferred his skills to the director’s chair with “Meatballs” (1979), launching Bill Murray’s career. It was the 1980s that he was most prolific as director, beginning with the classic “Stripes” (1981), “Ghostbusters” (1984), “Legal Eagles” (1986), “Twins” (1988), “Ghostbusters II” (1989) and “Kindergarten Cop” (1990). Even as he moved back to producing, he still managed to direct “Dave” (1993), “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” (2006) and “Draft Day” (2014), his last film as director. As producer, he steered the “Space Jam” movies of 1996 and 2021, in addition to “Private Parts” (1997), “Up in the Air” and “I Love You Man” (both 2009). His last producing credit was for “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” in 2021.

Ivan Reitman passed away in his home in Montecito, California, and is survived by his wife Geneviéve and three children, including director Jason Reitman.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com