Ivan Reitman, the producer and director best known for his work on the Ghostbusters franchise, has died at the age of 75.
His family confirmed Reitman’s death in a statement, per the BBC, saying that he passed away in his sleep.
“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” said his children in a statement.
“We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world.”
Reitman trained in filmmaking in Canada after fleeing Communism in Czechoslovakia. His first big break came as a producer on National Lampoon’s Animal House in 1978.
Ghostbusters, which released in 1984, was the movie that really made Reitman’s name as a director. The action comedy sparked a franchise that’s been running for close to 40 years now, the latest instalment of which, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, was produced by Reitman and directed by his son, Jason.
In the hours since the news of his death broke, a number stars have taken to social media to pay tribute to Reitman.
