Ivan Reitman, a Slovak-Canadian filmmaker, is most recognized for his comedic projects, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1998, he established his own production company, The Montecito Picture Company.
Some of the well-known films he has helmed are Meatballs (1979), Stripes (1981), Ghostbusters (1984), Twins (1988), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Dave (1993), and Junior (1994). Additionally, Reitman has produced movies such as Beethoven (1992) and Up in the Air (2009), which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Ivan Reitman Bio Details
Full name: Ivan Reitman
Profession: Producer and Director
Marital status: Married
Wife’s name: Geneviève Robert
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Eye color: Brown
Date of birth: 27th October 1946
Place of birth: Komárno, Czechoslovakia
Nationality: Canadian-American
Mother’s name: Clara Reitman
Father’s name: Leslie Reitman
Children: Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman, Caroline Reitman
Early Life
Ivan Reitman was born in Czechoslovakia but grew up in Canada, where he initially crossed paths with future comedic talents Dan Aykroyd and Rick Moranis.
He was born on Oct. 27, 1946, in Komárno, Czechoslovakia. His mother miraculously survived the horrors of the Auschwitz extermination camp, while his father bravely fought in the Czech resistance. In 1950, the family relocated to the United States to flee the oppressive Communist regime that had taken hold after the war.
He grew up in Toronto and studied at McMaster University in Hamilton, where he created his initial short films. During his time at university, he met several individuals who would later become key members of the SCTV group, such as Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, and Moranis.
After graduating, he came back to Toronto and recruited Aykroyd to join him in producing a comedy series for a nearby television station, solidifying their enduring friendship and partnership.
Career
His breakout success came as the producer of “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978), a zany and immensely popular college comedy that marked the film debut of “Saturday Night Live” star John Belushi.
He swiftly transitioned into directing feature films, and his initial two successes launched another “SNL” star, Bill Murray, to the top tier of movie fame: “Meatballs” (1979), showcasing Murray as a rebellious camp counselor, and the military comedy “Stripes” (1981), co-starring actor-writer Harold Ramis.
Despite their success at the box office, those films were merely a precursor to Reitman’s most impressive hit, which he both produced and directed.
Co-written by Aykroyd and Ramis, who also starred alongside Murray, Moranis, and Sigourney Weaver, “Ghostbusters” was a perfect blend of clever comedy and innovative, high-budget special effects.
With a domestic gross of approximately $229 million, the film was one of the top comedies during its release. This led to a series of movies, including a popular sequel in 1989 and two more in the early 2000s.
The most recent installment, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” released in 2021 and directed by Ivan Reitman’s son Jason, brought back the original cast and credited Ivan Reitman as producer.
Despite not achieving the same level of box-office success with his later films, Reitman continued to establish himself as a producer and director through a string of comedic movies that revitalized the career of muscle-bound action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, such as “Twins” (1988), “Kindergarten Cop” (1990), and “Junior” (1994).
He also oversaw the creation of the family-friendly “Beethoven” movies featuring the lovable St. Bernard and directed the political comedy “Dave” starring Kevin Kline.
Personal Life
Ivan Reitman was married to Geneviève Robert from 1976 until his death. He has a son and two daughters. His son, Jason Reitman, is a renowned film director recognized for his works, including Juno, Thank You for Smoking, and Up in the Air, which earned him a Golden Globe award for his screenplay.
Catherine Reitman, his daughter, is a part of the Los Angeles-based comedy group, The Groundlings. His second daughter, Caroline Reitman, is currently a second-year student at Santa Barbara City College. Additionally, Reitman’s wife has converted to the Jewish faith.
Net Worth
Ivan Reitman, a Czechoslovakian-Canadian filmmaker, writer, and director, had a net worth of $300 million before his passing.
He was renowned for his work in comedy, having directed popular films such as “Meatballs,” “Stripes,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Dave.” Additionally, Reitman produced numerous movies, including “Animal House,” “Space Jam,” and his son Jason’s “Up in the Air,” among others. He also directed the made-for-TV movie “Cooking Lessons” for television.
Cause of Death
According to his family, Ivan Reitman passed away at the age of 75 in his sleep on February 12 in Montecito, California, as confirmed by the Associated Press. The family released a statement,
“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life. We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”
