Daniel Hayes Ramis Has a Great Sense of Humor - Facts about Harold Ramis' Son

Daniel Hayes Ramis is the youngest son of the late actor Harold Ramis, who shared an endearing sense of humor with his dad. Though he led a private life from childhood, his sister revealed some details about his upbringing in her 2018 memoir.

Daniel Hayes Ramis was raised alongside three other siblings, some born from other relationships and one adopted, with whom he developed a tight and loving bond. He grew up affluently as he arrived following his father's humongous Hollywood success.

It was different from his older sister's upbringing and was part of why she left home at the ripe age of 17. Still, the two remained close, as did the rest of their family. Following in his father's footsteps, Daniel also joined the world of filmmaking.

Daniel Found Another Sibling in a Student from Ethiopia

Daniel drew his first breath on August 10, 1994, born to Erica Mann and Harold Ramis. His older brother, Julian Arthur Ramis, was born in 1990, and his sister Violet came from his father's first marriage in 1977.

After Daniel's arrival, Violet reflected on how much her life had changed, as she said in "Ghostbuster's Daughter: Life with My Dad, Harold Ramis." Her dad could afford all his children's and his own desires with his fortune, including "Power Rangers" birthday parties and luxury cars.

But it was a new lifestyle that led to discomfort and feeling "left behind" for Violet. A few years after she left home, in 2004, a "new sister," Ayda Wondemu, joined the family. She was an Ethiopian exchange student whom Harold and Erica welcomed into their home.

Ayda enrolled in the same private school Daniel and Julian attended. She developed a strong connection with all the Ramis siblings. After graduating high school, she attained BA in International Affairs and French Literature.

Ayda then did her master's at Johns Hopkins University and worked in a refugee NGO in South Sudan as of 2018. Although Violet initially felt threatened by her presence as Harold grew to adore her, she eventually realized that he had "plenty of love to go around."

Daniel Hayes Ramis Is Ready to Fight for What He Wants

Daniel inherited Jewish roots from his paternal side, as his great-great-grandparents were from Ukraine and Poland. When Violet described him, she said he was charismatic and could make Harold laugh "like crazy." Yet there was another side to him, as she explained:

"Daniel, on the other hand, was intense, independent, and didn't hold back when it came to fighting for what he wanted."

Still, he managed to be the life of the party "everywhere he went." Daniel was also athletic, as Violet revealed, and it was a trait her father truly admired about him. The two bonded over jokes, and Harold even allowed him to use cuss words from five years old.

Although Daniel's mother disapproved, her late husband explained that Daniel could discern when his jokes were inappropriate, especially toward authoritative figures (telling them to kiss his [expletive]") like teachers, and added:

'It's like Viktor Frankl's idea of paradoxical intention—it's clear he shouldn't actually do it, but suggesting it is empowering."

Speaking about Daniel's sense of humor, Harold later said that, as the youngest son, Daniel had to "win everybody" and " be funny." The actor alluded to his own upbringing, mentioning how his experience was the same.

Daniel then followed in his father's footsteps both on and off-screen. He appeared in 2016's "Ghostbusters" as Metal Head and went on to produce two film shorts: "Dingus Wishes" in 2018 and "Everything Is Fine" in 2019.

Both were comedy dramas, and the former, which was eight minutes long, received a nomination for Best Professional Short in the Narrative category at the Chicago Southland International Film Festival.

Daniel Hayes Ramis Last Appeared in a Public Event in 2015

At the 2015 Writers Guild Awards in Los Angeles, Daniel and his family accepted the Screen Laurel Award in his father's honor. Daniel delivered the acceptance speech, and after expressing gratitude for the recognition of his father's talents, he added:

"I also know that he's in much more comfortable clothes than these. Probably a Tommy Bahama Hawaiian, maybe some sweatpants, feeling very proud, happy, and loved. So, thank you all, and have a good night."

Before his dying breath, Harold reportedly reconciled with his longtime partner, Bill Murray, after years of going no-contact. Murray was previously married to Jennifer Butler and had a tumultuous union with Margaret Kelly.