(JNS) Jewish producer and director Ivan Reitman died in his sleep on Saturday night, Feb. 12, at his home in Montecito, Calif., at the age of 75.

“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” his three children said in a joint statement. “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.”

Reitman was born in 1946 in Komarno, Czechoslovakia. His mother survived Auschwitz, while his father escaped a Nazi concentration camp and was later a member of the Slovakian resistance, according to JTA. He was four years old when his family fled Czechoslovakia after the Communist regime began threatening his father.

Reitman produced and directed the blockbuster hit “Ghostbusters” in 1984, along with a number of other comedic films during the 1980s and ’90s, including “National Lampoon’s Animal House” starring John Belushi; and “Meatballs” and “Stripes,” both starring Bill Murray. Among his other credits are “Twins,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “Junior,” “Dave,” “Old School,” “EuroTrip,” and “No Strings Attached.” Before his death, he was in pre-production on a number of films, including a sequel to “Twins.”

Reitman also helped produce the 2009 Oscar-nominated film “Up in the Air,” co-written and directed by his son, filmmaker Jason Reitman. The latest film in the “Ghostbusters” franchise—last year’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”—was also produced by Ivan and directed by Jason.

Main Photo: Producer Ivan Reitman his wife, actress Genevieve Robert, at the Los Angeles premiere of “Ghostbusters” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.