Jason Reitman paid tribute to his late father, director Ivan Reitman, on Twitter. The filmmaker, best known in the ’80s and ’90s for comedies like Ghostbusters, Twins and Kindergarten Cops, died on February 12, 2022 in Montecito, California at the age of 75.
Jason Reitman tweeted: “I lost my hero. All I want is a chance to tell my dad one more story. Coming from a family of survivors, he turned his legacy into laughter.” He also thanked his fans for their sympathy. “Enjoy his films and remember his gift for storytelling. Nothing would make him happier.”
I’ve lost my hero.
All I want is the chance to tell my father one more story.
He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter.
Thank you for the kind messages. Enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts. Nothing would make him happier. pic.twitter.com/tSijfxSnLg— Jason Reitman (@JasonReitman) February 14, 2022
Jason Reitman directed the 2021 sequel Ghostbusters: Afterlife, set 32 years after his father’s original films. Last year, Reitman said his father cried when he first saw the film.
“My dad didn’t leave the house very often because of Covid. But he did a test, put on a mask and drove to the Sony compound to see the film with the studio. And after that he cried and said ‘I’m so proud to be your father’. And it was one of the great moments of my life,” Reitman said at the time.
Arnold Schwarzenegger also says goodbye
Other stars also said goodbye to the director. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who Reitman cast in his films Kindergarten Cop, Twins and Junior, wrote on Instagram: “Ivan Reitman is a legend. In Hollywood, he was larger than life.” He also posted several pictures of the two. One features Schwarzenegger and “Twins” co-star Danny DeVito with Ivan Reitman.
Reitman was a wonderful father and husband, a fantastic friend and a great person. He was kind, generous and incredibly smart. “I am devastated and my thoughts are with the Reitman family,” Schwarzenegger continued.
And he adds: “I can’t believe I won’t be working with him again or hanging out with him again or just chatting about life again. But I also know that Ivan is not gone, he is still with us. He’s here, on so many pages of my story. And if you’ve ever been lucky enough to meet him or just experienced his work, he’s part of your story too.”