During the fall of 1983 in New York City, Dan Aykroyd experienced an uncomfortable encounter with famed science-fiction author Isaac Asimov while filming the climactic scenes of Ghostbusters. The disruption caused by the movie’s production led to a rare and tense meeting between Aykroyd and Asimov, highlighting the challenges of shooting a major film on busy city streets and the intersection of art, admiration, and daily life.
The Unfortunate Meeting of Dan Aykroyd and Isaac Asimov During Filming
Dan Aykroyd, known not only as a burgeoning comedy star but also for his deep appreciation of science-fiction and his spiritualist interests, was naturally eager to meet Isaac Asimov, one of the genre’s most influential authors. Yet, their encounter on Central Park West during a break in filming was far from cordial. As the Ghostbusters crew had closed several Manhattan streets for filming the pivotal final battle scene near Columbus Circle, the resulting traffic chaos disrupted local residents, including Asimov.
Co-writer and co-star Harold Ramis recounted the incident during a 1999 commentary:
“Alright, so we’re taking a break one day, and Danny and I are standing at 65th [Street] and Central Park West, and Danny sees Isaac Asimov, who lives in the neighborhood. And Danny was so excited; here’s one of the great science-fiction writers of our age. ‘Mr. Asimov! Dan Aykroyd, we’re shooting the “Ghostbusters” movie here.’ [Asimov] says, ‘Are you the ones responsible for this?’ Dan says, ‘Yeah.’ He says, ‘It’s disgusting.’ And he walks away. He couldn’t get home.”
The meeting was marked by Asimov’s frustration over the production’s impact on his commute, which overshadowed Aykroyd’s enthusiasm to connect with his admired author. Despite Aykroyd’s respect for science-fiction literature, the timing and situation made the encounter awkward and unfriendly.
How the Ghostbusters Shoot Caused Widespread Traffic Chaos in Manhattan
The large-scale filming did not just inconvenience Isaac Asimov but also provoked widespread irritation among many New Yorkers. With streets around Columbus Circle closed for several days, traffic snarled across a vast area of Manhattan, creating considerable disruption. Harold Ramis described the traffic fallout during the same commentary:
“So when we were shooting this scene for three days, we stopped traffic here, which shut down Columbus Circle, which shuts down 8th, Broadway, 7th, and 59th street. Shut the East-West pass through the park. Traffic started backing up to Times Square. Then to Herald Square. Then Union Square. East side, all the way to the river. And they told us at one point we’d shut down about 60% of Manhattan.”
The closure’s ripple effects caused delays stretching from Times Square to Union Square, affecting commuters, local residents, and daily city life in a serious way. This extensive disruption underscored the difficulties of filming an ambitious blockbuster amid New York City’s bustling streets.
Producer’s Tactical Response to Rising Resident Tensions Over Filming
With mounting frustration among New Yorkers directed at the Ghostbusters production, the film’s producer Joe Medjuck faced the challenge of deflecting hostility from locals who blamed the crew for the traffic chaos. To avoid confrontation, Medjuck resorted to a creative approach during the shoot while staying at the Mayflower Hotel close to the set.
“We were all living at the Mayflower hotel, or a bunch of us. I was living at the Mayflower hotel, it was just down the street. And people would come up and say, ‘What are they doing here? They’re wrecking the city! Who are these people?’ And I’d say, ‘Francis Coppola. He’s making “The Cotton Club.'”
By attributing the disruptions to another prominent filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola, Medjuck was able to somewhat defuse the anger aimed at their team, showing the pressures and tensions filmmakers can face when working in high-profile urban locations.
The Lasting Impact of the Ghostbusters Filming Amid New York’s Frustrations
Despite the negative reactions and logistical headaches during production, Ghostbusters went on to achieve massive success upon its release in 1984, becoming a cultural touchstone and one of the most iconic films set in New York City. The movie’s status as a beloved NYC film helped mitigate lingering resentment from locals, as it showcased the city in a memorable light while demonstrating the complexities of coordinating large-scale filming in busy urban settings.
Dan Aykroyd’s brief but tense encounter with Isaac Asimov remains a telling example of the delicate balance between admiration, creative ambition, and the realities of city life. Although the shooting interrupted a celebrated author’s routine, the resulting film ultimately strengthened the cultural legacy of New York and the sci-fi genre intersecting in an unexpected real-life moment.
