THE POP EXPOSE – Remembering The Great Ivan Reitman! Story by Mitchell Smith

Hello everyone today I’m taking a look at legendary director, producer, and screenwriter Ivan Reitman. Best known for directing Ghostbusters, Reitman had a number of other classic movies such as Meatballs, Stripes, and Twins. Reitman was born in October 1946 in Czechoslovak. Both of his parents were Jewish and his mother Leslie was an Auschwitz survivor and his father Klara was an underground resistance fighter. As refugees the Reitman’s came to Canada to seek a better life and escape the horrific memories of WWII.

Ivan who was 4 at the time had no idea of the nightmare his parents had gone through and how they cherished his life and freedom. Reitman grew up in Toronto and attended McMaster University where received a bachelor’s degree in music. Here in 1969 Reitman started directing and producing short films. In 1978 Reitman got his fist big break as a producer for Animal House working with all time greats John Belushi and Donald Sutherland. Reitman directed Kindergarten Cop and got to work with Schwarzenegger, Six Days, Seven Nights and worked with Harrison Ford, and No Strings Attached working with Natalie Portman.

Along with Ghostbuster’s cast Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, and Sigourney Weaver Reitman had the chance to work with many Hollywood stars such as Danny DeVito, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Robert Redford, Uma Thurman, and Jennifer Garner to name a few. Reitman touched the lives of so many on and off the big screen. Reitman died peacefully in his sleep and will forever be remembered by so many great movies directed and produced. RIP Mr. Reitman.