Tribeca Firehouse Becomes Memorial Site for 'Ghostbusters' Actor

Jessica Dunn places a drawing on the memorial to actor Harold Ramis outside the Ladder 8 firehouse. The picture was sent to her from a friend in California, representing a "Ghostbusters" fan club. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

Tribeca's Ladder 8 (aka "Ghostbusters") Firehouse became the site of a makeshift memorial on Tuesday as fans came to pay tribute to actor Harold Ramis, co-star of the 1984 movie classic who died Monday at age 69.

Candles, flowers, drawings and a dozen packages of Twinkies (a treat comically featured in the movie) lay beside a "Ghostbusters" FDNY insignia that is painted on the sidewalk outside the firehouse.

Even on a normal day, tourists frequently find their way to the house, at North Moore and Varick streets, to see the famed movie setting. But with the death of Ramis, who co-starred as Dr. Egon Spengler beside Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd in the original movie and its 1989 sequel, the serious fans arrived.

Many, like Zach Summer, came sporting "Ghostbusters" logos.

"'Ghostbusters' was my favorite movie since before I could talk," said Summer, who not only had the movie's insignia on his jacket sleeve but also a picture of the ghost-fighting "Proton Pack" on his back. "My heart is ripped out because of this."

Summer was sharing the moment with Ebony Brown, from Harlem, wearing a "Ghostbusters" sweatshirt. "I wanted to pay my tribute and respects to someone who helped make one of the most lasting, memorable franchises of all time," said Brown, who had brought two flowers to lay on the memorial. "He will be dearly missed."

Chris Johnson, who runs a production business, was driving to work when he decided to take a detour to the firehouse. He called the movie "a major inspiration."

"I started my own business with the kind of the rebellious attitude they [the "Ghostbusters" characters] have to go into business for yourself," Johnson said. "The older I get the more I watch it, and the more I love it. I love their entrepreneurial spirit."

Jessica Dunn had just laid a picture on the memorial that portrayed a weeping ghost. She said she was delivering it for her friend in California, a "huge fan."

Dunn read aloud the farewell that her friend had inscribed on the drawing. "Goodbye Egon. You will be missed. Thank you for all the laughter."