Harold Allen Ramis (1944–2014) was an American actor, director, and screenwriter, an influential figure in American comedy. Trained with the improvisational group The Second City, he began his career by co-writing classics such as *Animal House* (1978), *Meatballs* (1979), and *Stripes* (1981). He is universally known for his role as Dr. Egon Spengler in *Ghostbusters* (1984) and its sequel, films he also co-wrote. His directing career is marked by successes such as *Caddyshack* (1980), *National Lampoon's Vacation* (1983), and *Analyze This* (1999). His most acclaimed work remains the philosophical comedy *Groundhog Day* (1993), which earned him, along with Danny Rubin, the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. His intelligent humor and his ability to blend anarchy and heart have left an indelible mark on comedy cinema.