Born in Komárno in 1946, Ivan Reitman arrived in Canada as a refugee before becoming a central figure in North American comedy production. Across a career spanning decades, he transitioned from producing stage shows in Toronto to directing and overseeing major studio films that defined the cinematic landscape of the 1980s and 1990s.
Early Education and Career Beginnings
Reitman attended Oakwood Collegiate Institute in Toronto before studying at McMaster University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in 1969. During his time at university, he produced and directed numerous short films. His early professional efforts included work at CITY-TV and producing the 1973 stage production Spellbound. This theatrical work helped facilitate his move to Broadway with the 1974 production of The Magic Show, which maintained a run at the Cort Theatre for over four years.
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By the mid-1970s, Reitman moved into professional film production, initially working through the Canadian studio Cinépix before forming Ivan Reitman Productions. His breakthrough in the American market arrived with the production of National Lampoon's Animal House in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he directed Meatballs, a project intended to satisfy contractual obligations. This success paved the way for his work on several influential comedies, including Stripes, Ghostbusters, and Twins.
Corporate Evolution and Executive Work
In the early 1990s, Reitman shifted his focus toward executive production through his company, Northern Lights Entertainment. In 1998, he co-founded The Montecito Picture Company alongside former Universal Pictures chairman Tom Pollock. Based south of Santa Barbara, this company continued his commitment to film development, producing various projects including Space Jam and Private Parts. Later, he served as a producer for films like I Love You, Man and Up in the Air.
Final Years and Legacy
In his final decade, Reitman directed the 2014 sports drama Draft Day. He remained active in the Ghostbusters franchise, producing Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which featured a posthumous credit for his work on the series. Reitman held citizenship in both Canada and Czechoslovakia and was recognized for his contributions through various honors, including the Officer of the Order of Canada, the Time Machine Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in 2022 in Montecito.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Komárno, Czechoslovakia
- Died: 2022, Montecito, USA
- Education: McMaster University, Oakwood Collegiate Institute
- Citizenship: Canada, Czechoslovakia
- Key Awards: Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada's Walk of Fame
- Notable Directing Credits: Ghostbusters, Kindergarten Cop, Twins, Draft Day
Questions readers ask
What was Ivan Reitman's production company?
He founded Northern Lights Entertainment and later co-founded The Montecito Picture Company in 1998.
Did Ivan Reitman direct any films after 2010?
Yes, he directed the 2014 sports drama Draft Day.
Achievements
- Notable work: Ghostbusters
- Notable work: Twins
- Notable work: Kindergarten Cop
- Notable work: Six Days Seven Nights
- Educated at McMaster University and Oakwood Collegiate Institute
- Worked as film producer, film director and screenwriter
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