his high school radio station, then cast him in his own hit "knocked up." five years ago he produced "year one" the last movie he would direct because four years ago he got sick, a rare auto immune disease, dying in chicago just short of 70. >> comedy is a radical in spirit. it challenges people's assumptions and expectations. we always felt we were part of that great tradition. >> reporter: a guy who battled ghosts, ramis leaves behind the spirit he was, a nerd, a subversive, a funny man. john van damme, abc news, washington. >> so many great, great, like landmark type movies. you have a favorite. >> i love "groundhog day." what's yours? >> "caddyshack" but they're all great ones. >> he said he wanted to be a lead actor but then realized he was better at directing people who were uninhibited. like bill murray and john belushi. he was a bit more intellectual, not the uninhibited person.