Recurring characters in the Ghostbusters movies

When the supernatural comedy, Ghostbusters first arrived on the scene in 1984, the movie brought ghosts, ghouls, and plenty of gags. The film also served up great set pieces, and many memorable moments.

But Ghostbusters wasn’t just about spectacle – the film also introduced a bunch of fun characters too. From Ray Stantz and Louis Tully, to Winston Zeddemore and Dana Barrett, Ghostbusters offered up a collection of key players who connected with audiences.

And a number of the characters introduced in Ghostbusters remained mainstays of the franchise as the series expanded. As sequels and reboots popped up, many familiar faces resurfaced.

But who are all of these recurring characters in the Ghostbusters movie series, and what movies did they appear in? All the answers to these questions are revealed below.

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Recurring characters in the Ghostbusters movies

Below is a list of all the characters who appear in more than one Ghostbusters movie. If you’re trying to keep track of who appears where, this is your guide.

Dr. Peter Venkman – Four movies

• Played by Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Please note: Bill Murray also appeared in a cameo role in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but not as Peter Venkman. Here he played Dr. Martin Heiss.

Dr. Ray Stantz – Four movies

• Played by Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Please note: Dan Aykroyd also appeared in a cameo role in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but not as Ray Stantz. Here he played an unnamed taxi driver.

Winston Zeddemore – Four movies

• Played by Ernie Hudson in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Please note: Ernie Hudson also appeared in a cameo role in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but not as Winston Zeddemore. Here he played Bill Jenkins.

Janine Melnitz – Four movies

• Played by Annie Potts in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Please note: Annie Potts also appeared in a cameo role in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but not as Janine Melnitz. Here she played hotel receptionist, Vanessa.

Dana Barrett – Three movies

• Played by Sigourney Weaver in Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters II, and in a brief cameo in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Please note: Sigourney Weaver also appeared in a cameo role in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but not as Dana Barrett. Here she played Dr. Rebecca Gorin.

Dr. Egon Spengler – Three movies

• Played by Harold Ramis in Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters II.

• In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Egon is depicted as a ghost, portrayed by a mix of computer generated imagery based on the likeness of Harold Ramis, and body doubles, played by Bob Gunton and Ivan Reitman.

Louis Tully – Two movies

• Played by Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters II.

Phoebe Spengler – Two movies

• Played by Mckenna Grace in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Trevor Spengler – Two movies

• Played by Finn Wolfhard in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Podcast – Two movies

• Played by Logan Kim in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Lucky Domingo – Two movies

• Played by Celeste O’Connor in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Callie Spengler – Two movies

• Played by Carrie Coon in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Gary Grooberson – Two movies

• Played by Paul Rudd in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Mayor Lenny Clotch – Two movies

• Played by David Margulies in Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters II.

Walter Peck – Two movies

• Played by William Atherton in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Library Administrator – Two movies

• Played by John Rothman in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

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The ghosts and ghouls

In addition to the above human characters, the following ghosts appeared regularly or were referenced in the Ghostbusters movies:

Slimer – Four movies

• Slimer appeared in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Stay Putft the Marshmallow Man – Four movies

• The Marshmallow Man (or a variation on the Marshmallow Man) appeared in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, Ghostbusters: After Life and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Zuul the Gatekeeper – Two movies

• Zuul appeared in Ghostbusters portrayed by Sigourney Weaver and in Ghostbusters: After Life portrayed by Carrie Coon. Ivan Reitman provided the voice of Zuul.

• Zuul was also briefly referenced in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but did not appear in the film.

Vinz Clortho – Two movies.

• Vinz Clortho appeared in Ghostbusters, portrayed by Rick Moranis and in Ghostbusters: After Life portrayed by Paul Rudd.

Gozer the Gozerian – Two movies

• Gozer appeared in Ghostbusters, portrayed by Slavitiza Jovan (body) and Paddi Edwards (voice), and in Ghostbusters: After Life, portrayed by Olivia Wilde, Emma Portner (body double), and Shohreh Aghdashloo (voice).

The Library Ghost – Two movies

• The Library Ghost appeared in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Ruth Hale Oliver played the role in Ghostbusters.

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Editor/writer/spook chaser

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about the Ghostbusters movies on It’s A Stampede!. For more movie posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.