The actor, director and writer Harold Ramis has died following complications related to autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that causes swelling of the blood vessels. He was 69. His wife, Erica Mann Ramis, told the Chicago Tribune that her husband's health struggles began in May 2010. The star was probably best known for his role as Egon Spengler in the comedy classic Ghostbusters (1984) as well as for directing his Ghostbusters co-star Bill Murray in the cult favourite Groundhog Day (1993). Less well-known is that Ramis was also a prolific writer, with writing credits on those films as well as movies including Stripes, Analyze This and National Lampoon's Animal House. – The National staff
Jimmy Fallon to take the Polar Plunge
The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon says he will join Chicago's mayor Rahm Emanuel on Sunday for the Polar Plunge, a frigid swim in Lake Michigan. His decision came after Emanuel said he would appear on The Tonight Show if Fallon joined him for the event, which benefits the Special Olympics. The US National Weather Service says there's a chance of snow next week. "Lake Michigan will have a New York fish this weekend," Fallon tweeted. Emanuel responded: "excited to have you". Fallon debuted as host of The Tonight Show on February 17. – AP
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