"Ghostbusters" star Harold Ramis dead at 69

Comedy director and actor Harold Ramis, best known for films such as "Stripes," "Ghostbusters," "Groundhog Day" and "Caddyshack," has died at the age of 69 of complications from a rare vascular disease.

Ramis, who had been suffering from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis since 2010, passed away peacefully on Monday morning at his home in Chicago, surrounded by family members.

The celebrated director, writer, actor and producer grew up in Chicago and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis.

He got his big break when he co-wrote the comedy hit "National Lampoon's Animal House" in 1978.

Known for his dry wit, he worked on other comedy scripts before making his directorial debut in 1980 with "Caddyshack," followed three years later by "National Lampoon's Vacation."

Ramis starred as Dr. Egon Spengler in the cult comedy franchise "Ghostbusters."

In 1993 he co-wrote, produced, and directed "Groundhog Day."