WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the late actor and director Harold Ramis, a native of his hometown of Chicago, was one of America's "greatest satirists."

In a statement, the president recalled watching Ramis' iconic movies, including "Animal House" and "Ghostbusters." He says the movies didn't just make him "laugh until it hurt" but also made him question authority and root for the underdog.

Ramis died Monday at the age of 69.

In a nod to a frequently referenced line from Ramis' classic film "Caddyshack," Obama said his thoughts and prayers go out to those who hope Ramis "received total consciousness."