Obama Mourns Passing Of Harold Ramis

President Barack Obama issued a statement on the death of Harold Ramis, the comedic actor, writer and director who died Monday at the age of 69. Ramis, a Chicago native, co-wrote "Animal House" and wrote and directed "Caddyshack," "Groundhog Day" and "Analyze This."

Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Harold Ramis, one of America’s greatest satirists, and like so many other comedic geniuses, a proud product of Chicago’s Second City. When we watched his movies – from “Animal House” and “Caddyshack” to “Ghostbusters” and “Groundhog Day” – we didn’t just laugh until it hurt. We questioned authority. We identified with the outsider. We rooted for the underdog. And through it all, we never lost our faith in happy endings. Our thoughts and prayers are with Harold’s wife, Erica, his children and grandchildren, and all those who loved him, who quote his work with abandon, and who hope that he received total consciousness.

The last sentence is a reference to this Bill Murray line from "Caddyshack":