Reitman created some of the most enduring comedy films of the ’80s and ’90s, including the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters,” which he produced and directed. The movie was a huge success and launched a series that spanned decades, including “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” directed by his son Jason Reitman last year.
Reitman was behind such classics as “National Lampoons Animal House” starring John Belushi, and “Strips” starring Bill Murray, John Candy and Harold Ramis.
Reitman’s directing credits also include “Twins,” “Kindergarten Cop,” and “Junior,” all starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “Dave” starring Kevin Kline.
He served as executive producer on the 1992 family-friendly film “Beethoven,” the sequel “Beethoven II” and the 1994 television series featuring the beloved Saint Bernard.
He produced 1996’s “Space Jam,” which saw NBA legend Michael Jordan collaborate with Bugs Bunny on the field, and the 2021 version of LeBron James.
Reitman helped produce the 2009 Academy Award-nominated “Up In The Air,” which starred George Clooney and Anna Kendrick and was co-written and directed by Jason Reitman.
“You feel after a while when you see something special in someone,” he said. “They have a way of taking the stage, or taking the screen. It’s not just that they know how to say something funny – there’s something in their face where you just have to keep looking at them.”
Asked about the status of Schwarzenegger approaching the other about working together, Reitman said it was a funny story: “I met him at a ski lodge and I didn’t know him, he just came up to me and said ‘You’re a Ghostbuster guy right?'” I said yes”. “You know, I could be a ghost hunter,” Reitman said. “I just thought – he told me it could be funny, I have to believe it.”
CNN has reached out to the Reitman family for more information.
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