Ivan Reitman dies: Ghostbusters director who executive produced HBO's The Late Shift was 75

The New York Times

Reitman, who died Saturday, had a storied career working in comedy movies from Ghostbusters to Kindergarten Cop to National Lampoon's Animal House. But Reitman, the father of director Jason Reitman, also oversaw HBO's 1996 TV movie The Late Shift -- directed by former Hill Street Blues star Betty Thomas -- based on Bill Carter's book on the late-night war between David Letterman and Jay Leno. "When I had an opportunity to write the script for HBO version of my book The Late Shift, Ivan, the EP,  was a huge supporter," tweeted Carter. "We worked closely on drafts; he was incredibly helpful. I got an Emmy nom. Ivan was a comedy legend, and a generous guy. RIP." Reitman and Thomas followed up The Late Shift with Howard Stern's Private Parts. Reitman also produced Delta House, a short-lived 1978 ABC sitcom adaptation of Animal House.