'Ghostbusters' Actor Harold Ramis Dies At Age 69

Harold Ramis, who was best known for his work on films such as Ghostbusters and Caddyshack, has passed away at the age of 69.

According to Ramis' wife, Erica, Ramis passed away early on Monday morning from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease in which the blood vessels swell. Erica also revealed that Ramis had been battling ongoing health complications since 2010.

"Ramis' serious health struggles began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease," Ramis' wife told the Chicago Tribune. "Ramis had to relearn to walk but suffered a relapse of the vaculitis in late 2011."

Ramis leaves behind his wife, three children (sons Julian and Daniel, and daughter Violet), two grandchildren, and an impressive body of work.

"When I was 15, I interviewed Harold for my high school radio station, and he was the person that I wanted to be when I was growing up," said fellow writer Judd. "His work is the reason why so many of us got into comedy. We grew up on 'Second City TV' and 'Ghostbusters,' 'Vacation,' 'Animal House,' 'Stripes,' 'Meatballs' (which Ramis co-wrote); he literally made every single one of our favorite movies."

Apatow was such a fan of Ramis that he featured him in his hit film, Knocked Up, as the father of Seth Rogen's character, Ben.

Ramis had also acted in movies, including Orange County, The Last Kiss, and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Most recently, Ramis had directed the 2009 comedy Year One, on which Apatow was the producer. The film starred Jack Black and Michael Cera, and featured Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Hank Azaria.

The film was Ramis' last as an actor, writer and director before his death.