(JNS.org) Famed Jewish-American actor, director, and writer Harold Ramis died at his home in Chicago from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis.

He was 69.

Ramis was born to Jewish parents,

Ruth and Nathan Ramis, in Chicago in 1944. One of the leading comics of his generation, Ramis rose to fame on Chicago’s “Second City” sketch comedy troupe and as a writer on Canada’s “Second City Television,” or SCTV. For several decades, Ramis was a leading figure in comedy. His notable works included “Animal House” (1978), “Caddyshack” (1980), “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Ghostbusters” (1984), “Groundhog Day” (1993), and “Analyze This” (1999).