Harold Ramis at a Glance
- Categories: Celebrities, Celebrities > Directors
- Net Worth: $90 Million
- Birthdate: Nov 21, 1944 - Feb 24, 2014 (69 years old)
- Birthplace: Chicago
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Comedian, Film director, Actor, Writer, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Television producer, Television Director, Voice Actor
- Nationality: United States of America
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Harold Ramis: A Deep Dive into the Life and Net Worth of the Comedy Legend
Introduction: The Legacy of Harold Ramis
Harold Ramis was a comedic genius whose influence on the world of film and comedy is undeniable. His contributions as a writer, director, and actor have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. From his iconic role as Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters to his masterful direction of Groundhog Day, Ramis created a body of work that continues to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide. This article delves into the life, career, and, of course, the net worth of this beloved figure.
What Was Harold Ramis’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in 2014, Harold Ramis’s net worth was estimated to be $90 million. This impressive figure is a testament to his successful career spanning decades, during which he wrote, directed, and starred in some of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedies of the 1980s and 1990s.
Some of Ramis’s most notable writing credits include Stripes, the Ghostbusters franchise (I and II), Groundhog Day, and Year One. His directorial endeavors, equally celebrated, feature films like Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Groundhog Day, and Analyze This. His performance as the quirky Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters remains one of his most cherished roles, endearing him to generations of fans.
Beyond his film work, Ramis also made significant contributions to television. He was the original head writer for the influential sketch comedy series SCTV, showcasing his talent for sharp wit and comedic timing.
His impact extended to projects like Animal House, a film for which he wrote a spec script that was later adapted. Despite its modest budget, Animal House became a box-office smash, earning over $140 million and solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most profitable movies of all time.

(Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images)
Early Life and Education
Harold Allen Ramis was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 21, 1944. His parents, Nathan and Ruth Ramis, were Jewish and owned the Ace Food & Liquor Mart on the city’s North Side. Growing up in Chicago, Ramis attended Stephen K. Hayt Elementary School and Nicholas Senn High School. He later pursued higher education at Washington University in St. Louis, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.
Career Beginnings: From Second City to Playboy
While in college, Ramis began to hone his writing skills, penning parodic plays. After graduation, he briefly worked at a mental institution in St. Louis. To avoid the Vietnam War draft, he reportedly took methamphetamine to fail his physical. Returning to Chicago, he balanced substitute teaching with freelance writing for the Chicago Daily News. His comedic talent blossomed further during his time with the Second City improv comedy troupe, where he honed his skills in performance and improvisation.
Ramis’s writing prowess eventually led him to become a joke editor at Playboy magazine, and he was later promoted to associate editor, a testament to his wit and ability to connect with audiences through humor. In 1974, Ramis joined a number of fellow Second City performers, including John Belushi, on The National Lampoon Radio Hour in New York City, and also appeared in The National Lampoon Show.
From 1976 to 1979, Ramis served as the head writer and performer on the sketch comedy television series SCTV, which became a breeding ground for comedic talent. In 1984, he played a key role in bringing the variety show The Top to television, serving as its executive producer. The show blended music, comedy, and video, featuring guest stars such as Rodney Dangerfield, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase.
Film Directing and Writing: The Rise of a Comedy Icon
Ramis transitioned from television to film in the late 1970s, achieving his first major success as a co-writer of the John Belushi comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House in 1978. The film broke box-office records, becoming the highest-grossing comedy of its time. He continued his success by co-writing the 1979 Bill Murray comedy Meatballs, another significant commercial triumph.
Over the years, Ramis formed a fruitful collaboration with Bill Murray, co-writing and directing several successful films. In 1980, Ramis made his directorial debut with the golf comedy Caddyshack, which he also co-wrote. He followed this with Stripes in 1981. In 1983, he directed National Lampoon’s Vacation, and in 1984, he co-wrote and starred in the supernatural comedy Ghostbusters, which became a cultural phenomenon.
The 1980s saw Ramis continue to create notable work, including Club Paradise (which he directed and co-wrote), and writing credits on films like Back to School, Armed and Dangerous, Caddyshack II, and Ghostbusters II.
In 1993, Ramis directed and co-wrote the fantasy comedy Groundhog Day, perhaps his most celebrated work. The film earned him and co-writer Danny Rubin a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. He subsequently directed Stuart Saves His Family (written by and starring Al Franken), Multiplicity (starring Michael Keaton and Andie MacDowell), and Analyze This (starring Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro). He also co-wrote the screenplay for Analyze This and directed the sequel, Analyze That, in 2002. His later directing credits include Bedazzled, The Ice Harvest, and the 2009 adventure comedy Year One, which was his final work.
- Key Films:
- National Lampoon’s Animal House (Writer)
- Caddyshack (Director & Writer)
- Ghostbusters (Writer & Actor)
- Groundhog Day (Director & Writer)
Ghostbusters Salary: A Lucrative Venture
Ramis’s financial success was significantly boosted by his involvement in the Ghostbusters franchise. Due to skillful negotiations by Michael Ovitz, the principal partner at CAA, the original Ghostbusters contract included a remarkable deal. The principal actors (Aykroyd, Murray, Ramis) and director Ivan Reitman would receive 30% of the film’s gross revenues from box office sales, home video, and network licensing deals. This resulted in an estimated $300 million split four ways, or approximately $75 million per person.
Adjusted for inflation, this payout is equivalent to around $200 million per person. The sequel, Ghostbusters II, brought an even better deal to the key players, who each received $6 million upfront and 35% of the gross. Despite being slightly less successful, Ghostbusters II earned approximately $215 million at the box office. Including salary and backend points, Ramis is estimated to have earned around $50 million from the sequel, which translates to about $110 million in today’s dollars.
Therefore, Harold Ramis earned approximately $125 million from the first two Ghostbusters movies, not adjusting for inflation, and $310 million in today’s dollars.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Film Acting: Expanding Horizons
Ramis also built a successful acting career, making his big-screen debut in 1981 with a role in Stripes. He starred in Ghostbusters alongside Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Rick Moranis in 1984. In the following years, he appeared in Baby Boom, Stealing Home, and Ghostbusters II, reprising his role as Dr. Egon Spengler. In the 1990s, he played a neurologist in his own film, Groundhog Day, and had roles in Airheads, Love Affair, and As Good as It Gets. His acting credits in the 2000s include the comedies Orange County, I’m with Lucy, The Last Kiss, Knocked Up, and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. His final screen appearance was in his 2009 film Year One, where he played the Biblical Adam.
Personal Life and Legacy: A Lasting Impact
Harold Ramis married San Francisco artist Anne Plotkin in 1967, with whom he had a daughter named Violet. The couple divorced in 1984. The following year, he had a daughter, Mollie, with director Amy Heckerling. In 1989, Ramis married his second wife, Erica Mann, and had sons Julian and Daniel with her.
Ramis was known for being an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed hobbies such as fencing, hat-making, and playing the guitar.
In 2010, Ramis contracted an infection that caused severe health complications, including the inability to walk. Despite a brief recovery, he suffered a relapse in 2011. He passed away from complications of the disease in February 2014 at the age of 69. His work has left a significant legacy and continues to influence comedians, writers, actors, and filmmakers. Two years after his death, in 2016, the Second City in Chicago founded the Harold Ramis Film School in his honor, a pioneering institution dedicated exclusively to film comedy.
Conclusion
Harold Ramis’s life and career exemplify the heights of comedic achievement. His impressive net worth is a reflection of his lasting impact on the entertainment industry. From his early days with Second City to his iconic roles and directorial triumphs, Ramis’s legacy continues to resonate with audiences and inspire generations of artists. His unique blend of wit, intelligence, and warmth solidified his place as one of the most beloved figures in comedy history.