Harold Ramis -- 'Ghostbusters' writer, co-star -- dead at 69

CHICAGO, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Comic actor, director and writer Harold Ramis died Monday in Chicago after a long battle with autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, TMZ reported. He was 69.

Ramis wrote the screenplay for the 1978 comedy "Animal House" and then went on to write hit comedies starring Bill Murray including "Meatballs" (1979), "Caddyshack" (1980), "Stripes" (1981), "Ghostbusters" (1984), "Groundhog Day" (1993) and "Analyze This" (1999). He also acted in and served as producer on "Meatballs," "Stripes" and "Ghostbusters."

He was a humor editor for Playboy magazine before joining Chicago's groundbreaking Second City comedy improv company in 1969.

Ramis was head writer for "SCTV," produced in Canada, which starred Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty and Rick Moranis.

"Harold Ramis was a brilliant, shining example for every comedy writer hoping to achieve excellence the field. He will be sorely missed," "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane tweeted Monday.