then cast him in his own hit "knocked up." five years ago he produced "year one" the last movie ramis 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 of what he was, a nerd, a subversive, a funny man. john vondam, 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. >> it's interesting. he said at first he thought he wanted to be a lead actor but then he realized he's better at directing people who were more uninhibited, like bill murray and john belushi. he was a bit more intellectual, not the uninhibited person. >> he knew who he was. he'll be missed.