Goodbye, Harold

I had class all day, but logged on social media at lunch to check in and get caught up. And was shocked to see this post on my Facebook Feed:

Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light. Farewell Harold Ramis. Look into the big trap in the sky.

I was heartbroken- as another friend said, Harold Ramis defined his childhood. I feel the same way. I remember watching him on SCTV on TV Land late at night, catching up on episodes that were years before me.

Then, I was introduced to the insane comedy of him in Meatballs, Stripes, and Ghostbusters. These were comedies that became shorthand for two decades of conversations. They became a way of identifying who will be your friends- did they get the quote? the reference? Then they were going to be friends.

Later, as I got older, I started to realize that Ramis was not just a gifted actor, but had real skill with a screenplay- Groundhog Day, Analyze This and as a director- The Office, Analyze This, Multiplicity, Groundhog Day, Club Paradise, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Caddyshack. It was like watching someone mature and grow up- or rather grow into themselves. He had a gift of wit and dialogue, but he also knew how to get the most out of people.

I will miss his wit, looking forward to new movies of his, and waiting most of all, for those signature lines of his, and signature delivery.

 

About Karra Shimabukuro

I am a PhD student at University of New Mexico, my research focuses on medieval literature, folklore, and popular culture. My writing tends to focus on television and movies, but usually with a focus on how things are all connected. I'm a reference snob. I often consider myself a Geek by Proxy- the coolest people I ever met were geeks, and at a young age found myself devouring all the cool things they knew/saw/did. In my days off I can be found on the Interweb spreading joy and enlightenment. And I can always be found in the company of my bebe puppy Nehi. @khkshimabukuro http://scholarlymedievalmadness.blogspot.com/
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