Ghostbusters Director Ivan Reitman Dies At 75

Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman, known for that film and many others across a decades-long career in filmmaking, has died. He was 75.

Reitman passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, February 12 at his home in Montecito, California, his family confirmed to the Associated Press.

"Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life," his children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman, and Caroline Reitman said. "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."

One of Reitman's first big films was the 1978 college comedy National Lampoon's Animal House, a project that he produced. He would later direct Bill Murray in Meatballs and Stripes before making arguably his biggest movie ever, 1984's Ghostbusters. Reitman would go on to have a long and successful career as a producer, earning an Academy Award nomination for Up in the Air.

Reitman also produced Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which was written and directed by his son, Jason Reitman.

Tributes poured in across social media for Ivan Reitman. Paul Feig sent his love to Jason Reitman and called Ivan an "amazing" person. "Jason and Ivan have always been so supportive of me throughout my career and I'll never be able to truly repay them both. This is such a sad day."

Ernie Hudson, who starred in Ghostbusters, said on social media, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ivan Reitman. Truly a great man and filmmaker who I had honor and privilege of knowing and working with. Deepest condolences to Jason and the entire family. May he RIP."

The official Ghostbusters account also responded to the news, saying Ivan Reitman was a "great talent and an even finer man; he will be dearly missed."

Head to the AP to read a full obituary for Ivan Reitman.