Original 'Ghostbusters' Cast: Where Are They Now? (2024)

When something’s lurking in your neighborhood, who are you going to call? The originalGhostbustersfilm not only catapulted its stars to comedic acclaim, but it also spawned multiple sequels and reboots.

After writer Dan Aykroyd read a parapsychology journal article, he came up with a movie story line about trapping ghosts.

“I thought, I’ll devise a system to trap ghosts … and marry it to the old ghost [films] of the 1930s,” the Canada native recalled toVanity Fairin June 2014. “Virtually every comedy team did a ghost movie — Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope. I was a big fan of [them].”

TheSaturday Night Livealum then enlisted Ivan Reitman as director, along with Bill Murray and the late Harold Ramis to round out the trio of hunters.

The 1984 film followed three parapsychologists who were forced out of their university due to lack of funding. They subsequently set up a unique ghost removal service in Manhattan to make ends meet.

“I wanted the film to be my New York movie,” Reitman toldVanity Fairin June 2014, which Aykroyd agreed upon, calling it “the greatest city in the world, an architectural masterpiece [and] energy central for human behavior.”

Three decades later, the cast — including Aykroyd, Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts — joined forces once againforEntertainment Weekly’s annual reunion issuein 2014.

“I knew it was gonna be a huge movie,” Murray said at the cover shoot in November 2014. “At that point, we were still watchingYankee Doodle Dandyon TV, so I thought we had a shot. … We had that car. And in the uniforms, with the car, even the cops thought we were above them somehow [as they drove around] running red lights, [going the] wrong way on a one-way street.”

Several years later, Paul Feig rebooted the film’s premise with an all-female crew of supernatural sleuths, including Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon.

“To be able to handGhostbustersover to these incredibly talented women felt perfect, and it was time,” Weaver said of passing the torch to a new generation of stars duringa July 2016 interview withHarper’s Bazaar. “There is such wonderful chemistry between the four of them. That does remind me of the boys because they were old friends and they had worked together a lot too. That kind of comedic pairing is just gold. You just turn the camera on and let them go at it.”

Weaver and Aykroyd even made a quick cameo in the reboot, telling the outlet, “I think the fans are going to be pleased by how we pop up. It’s just a very sweet movie but also very funny and kind of crazy. I think that’s a big part of what films can do — take us to another world.”

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By November 2021, the original stars returned for more in theGhostbusters: Afterlifesequel, which tells the story of a single mother who moves to a new town with her two kids. Soon after, they learn that they have a surprising connection to the OG Ghostbusters and discover the secret legacy that their grandfather left behind.

“It was full joy, wall to wall,” Aykroyd toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat November of his return to the beloved character. “What a privilege to be asked back to do that. It was creative satisfaction working again with Ernie, Bill and Sigourney. If it weren’t for Jason [Reitman] and Ivan [Reitman], I don’t know if we would have had the magnificent cast. To hang with brothers like that, family, it’s always fun — memories of good and maybe bad. Some [previous] friction came from how long we had to wear those proton packs and the level of complaint we issued.”

Scroll below to see what the cast has been up to since the original movie’s 1984 release:

Credit: Shutterstock (4)

‘Ghostbusters’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and More

When something’s lurking in your neighborhood, who are you going to call? The originalGhostbustersfilm not only catapulted its stars to comedic acclaim, but it also spawned multiple sequels and reboots.

After writer Dan Aykroyd read a parapsychology journal article, he came up with a movie story line about trapping ghosts.

“I thought, I’ll devise a system to trap ghosts ... and marry it to the old ghost [films] of the 1930s,” the Canada native recalled toVanity Fairin June 2014. “Virtually every comedy team did a ghost movie — Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope. I was a big fan of [them].”

TheSaturday Night Livealum then enlisted Ivan Reitman as director, along with Bill Murray and the late Harold Ramis to round out the trio of hunters.

The 1984 film followed three parapsychologists who were forced out of their university due to lack of funding. They subsequently set up a unique ghost removal service in Manhattan to make ends meet.

“I wanted the film to be my New York movie,” Reitman toldVanity Fairin June 2014, which Aykroyd agreed upon, calling it “the greatest city in the world, an architectural masterpiece [and] energy central for human behavior.”

Three decades later, the cast — including Aykroyd, Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts — joined forces once againforEntertainment Weekly’s annual reunion issuein 2014.

[sendtonews type="float" key="XOaL73X0le-3096132-14453"]

"I knew it was gonna be a huge movie," Murray said at the cover shoot in November 2014. "At that point, we were still watchingYankee Doodle Dandyon TV, so I thought we had a shot. … We had that car. And in the uniforms, with the car, even the cops thought we were above them somehow [as they drove around] running red lights, [going the] wrong way on a one-way street."

Several years later, Paul Feig rebooted the film’s premise with an all-female crew of supernatural sleuths, including Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon.

“To be able to handGhostbustersover to these incredibly talented women felt perfect, and it was time,” Weaver said of passing the torch to a new generation of stars duringa July 2016 interview withHarper’s Bazaar. “There is such wonderful chemistry between the four of them. That does remind me of the boys because they were old friends and they had worked together a lot too. That kind of comedic pairing is just gold. You just turn the camera on and let them go at it.”

Weaver and Aykroyd even made a quick cameo in the reboot, telling the outlet, “I think the fans are going to be pleased by how we pop up. It’s just a very sweet movie but also very funny and kind of crazy. I think that’s a big part of what films can do — take us to another world.”

By November 2021, the original stars returned for more in theGhostbusters: Afterlifesequel, which tells the story of a single mother who moves to a new town with her two kids. Soon after, they learn that they have a surprising connection to the OG Ghostbusters and discover the secret legacy that their grandfather left behind.

“It was full joy, wall to wall,” Aykroyd toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat November of his return to the beloved character. "What a privilege to be asked back to do that. It was creative satisfaction working again with Ernie, Bill and Sigourney. If it weren’t for Jason [Reitman] and Ivan [Reitman], I don’t know if we would have had the magnificent cast. To hang with brothers like that, family, it’s always fun — memories of good and maybe bad. Some [previous] friction came from how long we had to wear those proton packs and the level of complaint we issued.”

Scroll below to see what the cast has been up to since the original movie’s 1984 release:

[podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (4)

‘Ghostbusters’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and More

When something’s lurking in your neighborhood, who are you going to call? The originalGhostbustersfilm not only catapulted its stars to comedic acclaim, but it also spawned multiple sequels and reboots.

After writer Dan Aykroyd read a parapsychology journal article, he came up with a movie story line about trapping ghosts.

“I thought, I’ll devise a system to trap ghosts ... and marry it to the old ghost [films] of the 1930s,” the Canada native recalled toVanity Fairin June 2014. “Virtually every comedy team did a ghost movie — Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope. I was a big fan of [them].”

TheSaturday Night Livealum then enlisted Ivan Reitman as director, along with Bill Murray and the late Harold Ramis to round out the trio of hunters.

The 1984 film followed three parapsychologists who were forced out of their university due to lack of funding. They subsequently set up a unique ghost removal service in Manhattan to make ends meet.

“I wanted the film to be my New York movie,” Reitman toldVanity Fairin June 2014, which Aykroyd agreed upon, calling it “the greatest city in the world, an architectural masterpiece [and] energy central for human behavior.”

Three decades later, the cast — including Aykroyd, Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts — joined forces once againforEntertainment Weekly’s annual reunion issuein 2014.

[sendtonews type="float" key="XOaL73X0le-3096132-14453"]

"I knew it was gonna be a huge movie," Murray said at the cover shoot in November 2014. "At that point, we were still watchingYankee Doodle Dandyon TV, so I thought we had a shot. … We had that car. And in the uniforms, with the car, even the cops thought we were above them somehow [as they drove around] running red lights, [going the] wrong way on a one-way street."

Several years later, Paul Feig rebooted the film’s premise with an all-female crew of supernatural sleuths, including Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon.

“To be able to handGhostbustersover to these incredibly talented women felt perfect, and it was time,” Weaver said of passing the torch to a new generation of stars duringa July 2016 interview withHarper’s Bazaar. “There is such wonderful chemistry between the four of them. That does remind me of the boys because they were old friends and they had worked together a lot too. That kind of comedic pairing is just gold. You just turn the camera on and let them go at it.”

Weaver and Aykroyd even made a quick cameo in the reboot, telling the outlet, “I think the fans are going to be pleased by how we pop up. It’s just a very sweet movie but also very funny and kind of crazy. I think that’s a big part of what films can do — take us to another world.”

By November 2021, the original stars returned for more in theGhostbusters: Afterlifesequel, which tells the story of a single mother who moves to a new town with her two kids. Soon after, they learn that they have a surprising connection to the OG Ghostbusters and discover the secret legacy that their grandfather left behind.

“It was full joy, wall to wall,” Aykroyd toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat November of his return to the beloved character. "What a privilege to be asked back to do that. It was creative satisfaction working again with Ernie, Bill and Sigourney. If it weren’t for Jason [Reitman] and Ivan [Reitman], I don’t know if we would have had the magnificent cast. To hang with brothers like that, family, it’s always fun — memories of good and maybe bad. Some [previous] friction came from how long we had to wear those proton packs and the level of complaint we issued.”

Scroll below to see what the cast has been up to since the original movie’s 1984 release:

[podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Bill Murray (Dr. Peter Venkman)

The Illinois native’s notable film credits also include Caddyshack, Little Shop of Horrors, Groundhog Day, Charlie’s Angels, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation, Zombieland, A Very Murray Christmas, The Jungle Book, Saturday Night Live and The French Dispatch. Murray was previously married to Margaret Kelly from 1981 to 1996 and to Jennifer Butler from 1997 to 2007. He shares sons Luke and Homer with Kelly, as well as sons Cooper, Cal, Lincoln and Jackson with Butler.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Dan Aykroyd (Dr. Raymond Stantz)

The SNL veteran also appeared in The Blues Brothers, The Real Ghostbusters, The Coneheads, Spies Like Us, Driving Miss Daisy, My Girl, Tommy Boy, Pearl Harbor, Crossroads, 50 First Dates, Christmas with the Kranks and Hotel Paranormal.

He married Donna Dixon in 1983. In April 2022, the twosome announced they were separating. They share daughters Danielle (stage name Vera Sola), Belle and Stella.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Sigourney Weaver (Dana Barrett)

The Oscar nominee had notable roles in Alien, Working Girl, A Map of the World, Holes, The Girl in the Park, Wall-E, Avatar, You Again, Abduction, Political Animals, My Salinger Year and The Good House. Weaver wed Jim Simpson in 1984 before welcoming daughter Charlotte in 1990.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Harold Ramis (Dr. Egon Spengler)

The comedy writer also appeared in SCTV, Baby Boom, Ghostbusters II, Airheads, Love Affair, The Last Kiss, Knocked Up and Year One. Ramis was previously married to Anne Plotkin from 1967 to 1984 He later wed Erica Mann in 1989. He shared daughter Violet with Plotkin and sons Julian and Daniel with Mann. He also welcomed daughter Mollie during a brief relationship with director Amy Heckerling. Ramis died in February 2014 at the age of 69.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Rick Moranis (Louis Tully)

The Canada native’s film credits include The Wild Life, Head Office, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Parenthood, Gravedale High, The Flintstones, Brother Bear and The Goldbergs. Moranis wed his wife, Anne, in 1986 before her death in 1991. The pair shared two children.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz)

The Pretty in Pink actress also starred in Corvette Summer, Goodtime Girls, Designing Women, Love & War, Dangerous Minds, Toy Story 2, As Good As You, The Fosters, Happy Anniversary and Young Sheldon. The Tennessee native was married three times — to Steven Schwartz from 1973 to 1978, Greg Antonacci from 1978 to 1979, B. Scott Senechal from 1981 to 1989 — before marrying James Hayman in 1990. She shares one child with Senechal and two with Hayman.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

William Atherton (Walter Peck)

The Connecticut native’s acting credits include The Sugarland Express, The Hindenburg, Centennial, No Mercy, Die Hard, The Pelican Brief, Desperate Housewives, Life and Clinical. He has been married to Bobbi Goldin since 1980.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore)

The Michigan native’s notable roles include Leadbelly, Highcliffe Manor, California Girls, The Last Precinct, Wild Palms, Sugar Hill, Paper Bullets, Miss Congeniality, Law & Order, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Transformers Prime, Grace and Frankie and L.A’s Finest. Hudson was previously married to Jeannie Moore, with whom he shares two sons. Following their 1976 split, he later married Linda Kingsberg and they welcomed two sons together.

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Original 'Ghostbusters' Cast: Where Are They Now? (2024)

FAQs

What happened to the original cast of Ghostbusters? ›

The cast reunited for the sequel film "Ghostbusters II" in 1989 and then reunited in 2021 for the movie "Ghostbusters: Afterlife." Murray and the rest of the original crew, who are now in their 70s, joked about feeling their age while working on the movie.

How old was Egon Spengler when he died? ›

Ghostbusters, has died at age 69.

How much did Bill Murray get paid for Ghostbusters: Afterlife? ›

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Murray earned around earned approximately $125 million from the first two Ghostbusters movies plus a $15 million payment for his appearance in Ghostbusters Afterlife - more than double the fee he received for Scrooged.

Is Harold Ramis alive? ›

Illness and death

He died of complications of the disease on February 24, 2014, at his home on Chicago's North Shore, at age 69.

Why did Egon Spengler leave Ghostbusters? ›

Age is the largest factor causing Egon to having transition from active ghost hunting to a mentorship role; in one episode where the original Ghostbusters guest starred on an episode the audience clearly sees middle adulthood has affected the speed and weakened the stamina of the original Ghostbusters.

What happened to the original Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters? ›

The original Ecto-1 was restored by Sony for the release of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, and currently sits in front of Sony Picture's Ghost Corp building along with the 2016 Ecto-1. The Ecto-1A was originally scheduled to be restored along with the Ecto-1, but a lack in funds meant only Ecto-1 could be restored.

What did Harold Ramis pass away from? ›

Vasculitis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and destruction of blood vessels. Harold Allen Ramis, a famous American actor, director, writer, and comedian, died on the February 24, 2014, of complications of an autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis.

Did Egon marry Janine? ›

One thing Afterlife made clear is that Janine wasn't Callie's mother nor was she married to Egon at any point. She briefly appears in Ghostbusters: Afterlife as Callie's phone contact while finding out about the farm.

Which one of the original Ghostbusters died in real life? ›

The beloved Harold Ramis died in February 2014 at the age of 69. To most, he is best known for playing the brilliant but awkward scientist and Ghostbuster Egon Spengler.

Why did Bill Murray not want to do another Ghostbusters? ›

"When we did the sequel it was rather unsatisfying for me, because the first one to me was the goods. It was the real thing," the actor and SNL alum said during a 2008 interview with Gizmodo.

Which Ghostbusters made the most money? ›

Key:Estimated
RankReleaseLifetime Gross
1Ghostbusters$229,242,989
2Ghostbusters: Afterlife$129,360,575
3Ghostbusters$128,350,574
4Ghostbusters II$112,494,738
6 more rows

How much did Paul Rudd get for Ghostbusters? ›

Pual Rudd as Gary Groobson

He has reportedly taken home more than everyone's added salary. He has been paid a whopping $10 million. Apart from them, Bill Murray and other actors will also appear in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, but their salaries have not yet been revealed.

How did Harold Ramis get vasculitis? ›

In Ramis' case, he suffered an infection that led to complications and forced him to relearn to walk, the Chicago Tribune reported. Since its symptoms mimic those of other diseases, it can often be missed. The causes are largely unknown. “We have some hints for most types of vasculitis,” Merkel said.

Who attended Harold Ramis' funeral? ›

Dan Aykroyd, who co-wrote and co-starred in “Ghostbusters” with Ramis, was at North Shore Congregation Israel with wife Donna Dixon, as were Chevy Chase, star of Ramis' “Caddyshack” and “National Lampoon's Vacation,” with his wife, Jayni; “SCTV” co-stars Eugene Levy and Dave Thomas; Second City co-owner/CEO Andrew ...

What happened to Rick Moranis? ›

He wrote and created the animated show Bob & Doug based on SCTV characters, has put out comedy albums, and continued to take on voice roles, including in the Brother Bear movies and in Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids. He has also written for The New York Times.

What happened to Egon Spengler? ›

In the new GhostBusters movie, I know Egon died. Is there any hope that he can come back to life or can he at least be with non-ghosts as a ghost (like he did during the final battle)? He kind of passed beyond even ghostly existence at the end of the movie. Sadly, Harold Ramis himself passed away some years ago.

Did Egon from Ghostbusters pass away? ›

The beloved Harold Ramis died in February 2014 at the age of 69. To most, he is best known for playing the brilliant but awkward scientist and Ghostbuster Egon Spengler.

What happened to Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters? ›

In the script we read, Ray and Egon cope with Venkman retiring from the team and leaving with Sigourney Weaver's Dana Barrett. In the film's big twist, Venkman then appears as a ghost in the final scenes, having died off-screen (somehow), now existing in a form he once so eagerly busted.

What happened to Venkman Ghostbusters? ›

In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, after the closure of the Ghostbusters business following Egon's theft of the Ecto-1 and the majority of their equipment, Venkman returned to teaching at SUNY Cortland, becoming a Professor of Advertising, indicating that he has earned an advanced degree in business education and marketing.

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