The news of Harold Ramis, whose comedic bent was a huge part of my childhood, passing away put a dark cloud over my day. Growing up, he was Dr. Egon Spengler from “Ghostbusters.” He was the straight man to Bill Murray in that film and in “Stripes.” His deadpan still makes me laugh out loud when I watch those films.
In high school, I saw “Animal House.” It wasn’t until after I had graduated I found out Ramis was a writer on that film. I then started looking into this brilliant mind (remember, this was a pre-imdb, pre-wikipedia world).
“Caddyshack,” “Groundhog Day,” “Meatballs” and “Back To School” were all films I loved and watched repeatedly growing up and I had no idea this man was a part of them until I was 19.
After I got off work Tuesday morning, I went home and re-watched “Ghostbusters” for the umpteenth time. Yet, this time was different. I was watching Egon say “I feel like the floor of a taxi cab,” and “I collect spores, molds and fungus” and while it was still funny, it was depressing knowing that this milestone in comedy was no longer with us.
When Ernie Hudson was asked after the news about Ramis’ death about the prospects of the long rumored third “Ghostbusters” film, he replied “Harold was the glue. There wouldn’t a ‘Ghostbusters’ without Harold Ramis. Harold Pulled it together,” Hudson told TMZ. “And I know I probably wouldn’t be in the business had I not had the chance to work with Harold at that time in my career. He taught me a lot, not overtly by trying to teach me, just watching him work and how he dealt with things. He will be missed.”
Indeed, his unique voice will be missed.
The JOE-DOWN 
It would have worked if you hadn’t stopped me.
RIP.
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