HOLLYWOOD film director Ivan Reitman died on Saturday, February 12, 2022, according to his family.
The star, who had 74 producer credits to his name, was best known for directing films such as the 1984 classic Ghostbusters.
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Who was Ivan Reitman?
Born on October 27, 1946, Ivan hails from Komarmo, Czechoslovakia and was born into a family of Hungarian Jews.
His mother survived the Auschwitz extermination camp and his father reportedly fought in the in the Czech resistance.
In 1950, when Ivan was only four, his family emigrated to Canada to escape their country’s postwar regime.
According to AP, they did so by holing up in a nailed-down hold of a barge, then joining a family member North America.
Once settled in his new home, Ivan’s embarked on his entertainment career and studied music and drama at McMaster University in Ontario.
Following his graduation, he began making movies and earnt his first big break when he produced National Lampoons Animal House in 1978 and Meatballs in 1979.
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From there, he directed a string of successful films that included the critically acclaimed Ghostbusters in 1984.
Co-starring Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis, the ghoulishly funny flick earned nearly $300 million worldwide and two Oscar nominations.
Later founding his film production company in 1998, he also directed Twins, Kindergarten Cop and produced comedies including Beethoven, Space Jam starring Michael Jordan, Old School and EuroTrip.
In 2021, he made his final film contribution after collaborating with his son on the reboot of his 1980s classic in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in November 2021 he described it as a “very personal and sometimes tear-inducing experience.”
What was Ivan Reitman’s cause of death?
On February 12, 2022, Ivan family confirmed that the iconic director had died “unexpectedly” in his sleep in Montecito, California.
“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” a family statement read following his passing.
It concluded: “We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world.
“While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”
At the time of writing, a cause of death has not been revealed.
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Was Ivan Reitman married and how many children did he have?
Ivan married his wife Geneviève Robert in 1976.
The pair shared three children including two daughters and his son Jason who also became a film director.
The 44-year-old earnt acclaim after directing Juno in 2007, and Up In The Air in 2009.
The George Clooney-starring recession drama soared with critics and was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
Jason was also nominated for Best Director for Juno.
