Legendary Hollywood movie maker Ivan Reitman has “unexpectedly” died at 75-years-old.
Ivan died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday night at his home in California, his family confirmed.
They said: “Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life.”
Ivan’s children Jason, Catherine and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement: “We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world.
“While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”
Ivan’s film career spans several decades with his most significant success being the 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters.
The supernatural comedy starred the likes of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver, and it grossed at nearly £222million worldwide.
(Image: Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
Ivan’s hit movie earned two Oscar nominations and spawned a very successful franchise including spinoffs, TV shows and a new movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife that opened last year.
He directed Bill Murray in his first starring role in Meatballs and then again in Stripes.
Among other notable films he directed are National Lampoon’s Animal House, Kindergarten Cop and Twins.
The film legend was born in Czechoslovakia in 1946 where his father owned the country’s biggest vinegar factory.
He was raised in Canada where he studied music and drama at a university in Ontario.
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
With his friends and $12,000 (£8,800) Ivan made a nine-day movie called “Cannibal Girls” which American International agreed to release.
He slowed down as a director after his movie Six Days, Seven Nights — with only four films following from 2014. These include Evolution and My Super Ex-Girlfriend.
Ivan first met Ghostbuster’s Dan Aykroyd when he hired him to be an announcer at a television station in Toronto in the 1970s.
The details of his death have not been revealed.
He leaves behind his wife Geneviève Robert and their three children – Jason, Catherine and Caroline Reitman.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
