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Harold Ramis went to the same hair salon that Sue Harris (aka “The Wife”) did. Or maybe it was the other way around. Harold Ramis was a classmate of my sister Helene at Washington University in St. Louis. Or maybe it was the other way around. Harold Ramis once was one of the participants at the New Trier High School Literary Festival. So was your humble correspondent. Harold Ramis frequented the same coffee shop that The Wife and yours truly frequented — occasionally at the same time.
Harold Ramis was kind enough to pose for this photo at the 2010 Legendary Landmarks Gala in Chicago.
And so there is more than enough overlap to justify running something about the tremendously talented actor/writer/director Ramis who died Monday at age 69. Not that there need be any justification or rationalization to do so. One of the benefits of running your own web site.
Should anyone really want something approaching some sort of sports connection, let me assure you there is that, too.
Ramis was one of the honorees at the 2010 fifth annual Legendary Landmarks Gala at Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton. Also honored that March night were Lee Flaherty, founder of the Chicago Marathon, and Cubs icon Ernie Banks.
Surfer Anastasia Ashley helps brighten up today’s effort.
It was one of the few times anyone would see me in a tuxedo. And a joyful, entertaining evening it was. After the gala was over, I waited for others to approach Ramis and congratulate and chat with him. When the well-wishers had dissipated, I went up to him for a brief conversation.
Inquiring minds (OK, mine) wanted to know if/when he might undertake another sports-themed movie. He was gracious enough to humor me and provide enough material to write something for the Quick Hits column in the Chicago Sun-Times.
There is even a photo to show the two of us together, although it does appear as if it might have been from some rabbinical gathering — an observation not lost on Ramis.
His cinematic credits include “Animal House,” “Caddyshack,” “Stripes,” “Ghostbusters” and “Analyze This,” among others.
He was smart and funny. Then again, you don’t find many funny folks who aren’t smart.
And if a few minutes of casual conversation were any indication, he was genuine and gracious. And a mensch (look it up, if you don’t know the definition). And as impressive as his movie legacy is, those qualities are even more impressive — especially for someone who enjoyed the success he did in an industry filled with giant egos that generally far outweigh talent.
May Harold Ramis rest in peace. Thank you for having the gift of humor and humanity and for sharing it with the world.
Too many people whom I have had the pleasure of knowing have died in the last several months.
I could use a good movie to watch. A comedy. In all likelihood, something with Harold Ramis’ imprint on it.
Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the ebullient efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com — and we’ll look up “ebullient” to make sure it’s not offensive in polite company):
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