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Ivan Reitman

Induction Year

2001

Pillar of Achievement

Arts & Entertainment

Life and Legacy

Oct 27, 1946Feb 12, 2022 (75 years)

Birth Place

Komarmo, Czechoslovakia

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.

Interesting Facts

In 1969, Reitman produced his first feature film, The Columbus Of Sex. Soon after it was completed, Reitman and his business partner, Dan Goldberg, were arrested and, despite loud protests from the arts community, became the first Canadians convicted under this country’s decency laws. They were fined $300 and given a year’s probation.

When asked during an online interview with The Onion to explain the enduring popularity of Animal House, Ghostbusters, and so many of his other films, Reitman said: “I’ve always believed in populating my films with characters who we like, who we have some warmth for, who have warmth for each other, who we would like to hang out with, who we emulate in one way or another. It’s not that they all get along, or that they aren’t bad people or people we make fun of. But at the core, there’s a kind of sweetness.”

Memorable Moments

  • Ivan Reitman

  • Ivan Reitman: On SNL Bill Murray, Ghostbusters, Animal House

Photo Highlights