Film Director, Film Producer, Screenwriter. His feature film debut came with 1971's "Foxy Lady", a comedy that served as the film debut of both Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin. Known for big, bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, his big break came with the raucous, college fraternity sendup "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978) which he produced. Fast forward a few years later and he helmed the irreverent "Meatballs" (1979) often thought by many to be responsible for launching the careers of both Reitman and comedian Bill Murray. "Meatballs" would also serve as the first of many collaborations between him and Murray. In total, the two worked on four projects together—"Meatballs" (1979), "Stripes" (1981) and the first two "Ghostbusters" films in 1984 and 1989. Not only did the irreverent supernatural comedy starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis gross nearly $300 million worldwide, it earned two Oscar nominations, spawned a veritable franchise, including spinoffs, television shows and a recent movie, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021) which his son, filmmaker Jason Reitman directed. Among other notable films he directed are: "Twins" (1988), "Kindergarten Cop" (1990), "Dave" (1993), "Junior" (1994), "Six Days, Seven Nights" (1998) and "Evolution" (2001). He also produced "Beethoven" (1992), "Space Jam" (1996), "Old School" (2003), "EuroTrip" (2004) and "Disturbia" (2007) among many others. For his contributions to motion pictures, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 7024 Hollywood Blvd.
Film Director, Film Producer, Screenwriter. His feature film debut came with 1971's "Foxy Lady", a comedy that served as the film debut of both Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin. Known for big, bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, his big break came with the raucous, college fraternity sendup "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978) which he produced. Fast forward a few years later and he helmed the irreverent "Meatballs" (1979) often thought by many to be responsible for launching the careers of both Reitman and comedian Bill Murray. "Meatballs" would also serve as the first of many collaborations between him and Murray. In total, the two worked on four projects together—"Meatballs" (1979), "Stripes" (1981) and the first two "Ghostbusters" films in 1984 and 1989. Not only did the irreverent supernatural comedy starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis gross nearly $300 million worldwide, it earned two Oscar nominations, spawned a veritable franchise, including spinoffs, television shows and a recent movie, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021) which his son, filmmaker Jason Reitman directed. Among other notable films he directed are: "Twins" (1988), "Kindergarten Cop" (1990), "Dave" (1993), "Junior" (1994), "Six Days, Seven Nights" (1998) and "Evolution" (2001). He also produced "Beethoven" (1992), "Space Jam" (1996), "Old School" (2003), "EuroTrip" (2004) and "Disturbia" (2007) among many others. For his contributions to motion pictures, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 7024 Hollywood Blvd.
Bio by: Bradley M.
Inscription
HUSBAND, FATHER, STORYTELLER
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Reitman memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
