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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />The celebrated director, writer, actor and producer grew up in Chicago and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis.<br/> <br />He got his big break when he co-wrote the comedy hit "National Lampoon's Animal House" in 1978.<br/> <br />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."<br/> <br />Ramis starred as Dr. Egon Spengler in the cult comedy franchise "Ghostbusters."<br/> <br />In 1993 he co-wrote, produced, and directed "Groundhog Day."
