Ivan Reitman

Reitman in 2014, photo by prphotos

Date of Birth: 27 October, 1946

Place of Birth: Komárno, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia)

Date of Death: February 12, 2022

Place of Death: Montecito, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ivan Reitman was a Slovak-born Canadian film and television director, producer, and screenwriter. He directed the films Cannibal Girls, Meatballs, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Six Days, Seven Nights, Evolution, No Strings Attached, and Draft Day.

Ivan was born in Komárno, Czechoslovakia, now Slovakia, the son of Klara/Clara (Raab/Rab) and Ladislav “Leslie” Reitman. Ivan’s parents were both Jewish. During WWII, his father was an underground resistance fighter, and his mother survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. His father was born in Slepčany, near Bratislava. The family moved to Canada in 1950 as refugees, and Ivan was raised in Toronto, Ontario.

Ivan was married to French-Canadian actress Geneviève Robert, until his death. She converted to Judaism upon their marriage. Their children are Jason Reitman, a film director, Catherine Reitman, an actress, and Caroline.

Ivan’s paternal grandfather was Gustav Reitman (the son of Nathan Reitman and Rozalia Hilwerth). Gustav was a grain dealer. Nathan was the son of Avraham Reitman.

Ivan’s paternal grandmother was named Cecelia/Cecilia Hochberger.

Ivan’s maternal grandmother was Szeren Abeles (the daughter of Nechemiah/Hendrik/Heyme Bache Abeles and Minna/Mina Blum). Zeren was killed in the Holocaust in Auschwitz, in 1944. Hendrik was the son of Moritz/Moishe/Moshe Yuda Leib Abeles and Leah Reizer. The family had lived in Hungary.

Sources: http://www.denofgeek.com

Obituary of Ivan’s father – https://jewishsantabarbara.org

Genealogy of Ivan Reitman (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Ivan’s maternal great-grandfather, Nechemiah/Hendrik/Heyme Bache Abeles – https://www.geni.com