According to relatives, the director died sleeping on Saturday night at his home in Montecit, California. “Our family mourns the unexpected loss of our husband, father and grandfather, who have always taught us to see the magic of life,” children Jason, Catherine and Caroline Reitman wrote in a joint statement. “We are pleased that his work as a filmmaker has brought laughter and happiness to countless viewers around the world,” they added.
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Director Ivan Reitman was born on October 27, 1946 in Komárno to his parents in Slovakia – his mother survived Auschwitz, his father was in the resistance. When he was four years old, the family decided to emigrate. Under dramatic circumstances, the Reitmans managed to escape to Vienna by ship, from where they reached Canada via France.
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Reitman did not remember much from Czechoslovakia and openly said that he had no closer relationship with his birthplace.
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Reitman started on Canadian television and in the 80’s got caught up in Hollywood, where he became famous mainly for comedies. As a director, he is signed to such Hollywood hits as Kindergarten Cop or Evolution. His most famous film, however, is undoubtedly the Ghostbusters from 1984. Reitman collaborated on the screenplay with Dan Aykroyd, who also played one of the main roles. Other starring roles were played by Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Sigourney Weaver. The film is called one of the best comedies of all time. The sequel Ghostbusters 2 of 1989 was also successful.
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