The Czech-born director/producer, who came to Canada in 1950 at the age of four, has reigned as Hollywood’s king of comedy for nearly 25 years. He’s counted alongside Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis as a member of Variety magazine’s tiny coterie of box-office magicians known as the “Billion Dollar Directors” club.
Reitman launched his career while attending Hamilton’s McMaster University, directing several short films for television. His first full-length project was a live TV series called Greed, emceed by newcomer Dan Aykroyd.
Reitman has produced/directed films such as Foxy Lady, Cannibal Girls, Shivers, Rabid, National Lampoon’s Animal House, Stripes, Meatballs, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Road Trip, Up in the Air, Ghostbusters, Legal Eagles and many more. He helped launch the careers of stars like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Bill Murray.
Reitman’s stage credits include The Magic Show, starring Doug Henning, The National Lampoon Show and the Broadway musical Merlin, for which he earned a Tony nomination.
Twice honoured with the People’s Choice Award, he was also named director of the year by the National Association of Theater Owners, in 1984, and received a special achievement award at the Genies the following year.
