RIP Harold Ramis, aka Dr. Egon Spengler, Ghostbuster

Harold Ramis as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters

Harold Ramis has died at age 69 due to complications related to auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis, which he had been battling for years. Although he has a list of impressive credits a mile long, I am writing an obit for him on The OddBlog because he will best be remembered as Dr. Egon Spengler from the classic comedy, Ghostbusters.

Ghostbusters is an American pop-cultural touchstone, but it's of special interest to those of us who enjoy discussing ghosts and the Supernatural. A comedy classic centered on the paranormal, one of the many reasons it is so notable is that it set the Hollywood standard for theme songs. 

While countless movie theme songs have become hits both before and after Ghostbusters, the incredible popularity of both the movie and song swept the world, making "ghostbusters" a household word. Ray Parker, Jr.'s classic pop song also introduced the phrase, "Who ya gonna call?" into the American vernacular. The movie inspired a sequel, as well as a Saturday Morning Cartoon.

Co-star, Dan Aykroyd's, father was a paranormal investigator in real life, known then as a Ghostbreaker. Peter Aykroyd's book, A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters, was the basis for the film. Many of the movie's themes are based on actual theories from the field of parapsychology, though obviously not meant to be taken seriously given that it's a comedy. Still, the popularity of the film made paranormal investigation somewhat more acceptable to the mainstream, and sparked a general interest in matters of the Supernatural outside of a religious context.

Ramis not only appeared in the film, he co-wrote it with co-stars Aykroyd and Rick Moranis. Aykroyd claims to have experienced the Supernatural and has even written about it.

Our condolences to Harold Ramis' friends and family.

© The Weirding, 2014