<P> Harold Allen Ramis ( November 21 , 1944 -- February 24 , 2014 ) was an American actor , director , writer , and comedian . His best - known film acting roles were as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters ( 1984 ) and Ghostbusters II ( 1989 ) and Russell Ziskey in Stripes ( 1981 ) ; he also co-wrote those films . As a director , his films include the comedies Caddyshack ( 1980 ) , National Lampoon 's Vacation ( 1983 ) , Groundhog Day ( 1993 ) , and Analyze This ( 1999 ) . Ramis was the original head writer of the television series SCTV , on which he also performed , as well as a co-writer of Groundhog Day and National Lampoon 's Animal House ( 1978 ) . The final film that he wrote , produced , directed and acted in was Year One ( 2009 ) . </P>
<P> Harold Allen Ramis ( November 21 , 1944 -- February 24 , 2014 ) was an American actor , director , writer , and comedian . His best - known film acting roles were as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters ( 1984 ) and Ghostbusters II ( 1989 ) and Russell Ziskey in Stripes ( 1981 ) ; he also co-wrote those films . As a director , his films include the comedies Caddyshack ( 1980 ) , National Lampoon 's Vacation ( 1983 ) , Groundhog Day ( 1993 ) , and Analyze This ( 1999 ) . Ramis was the original head writer of the television series SCTV , on which he also performed , as well as a co-writer of Groundhog Day and National Lampoon 's Animal House ( 1978 ) . The final film that he wrote , produced , directed and acted in was Year One ( 2009 ) . </P>
who played egon in the original ghostbusters movie
who played egon in the original ghostbusters movie
Harold Allen Ramis
Harold Allen Ramis