Jack Hardemayer

Jack Hardemayer was the Mayor's assistant in Ghostbusters II{.wikilink} and he filled in the role of the bureaucratic skeptic that Walter Peck{.wikilink} had been in the first film. He believed the Ghostbusters to be "two bit frauds and publicity hounds" and wanted them to stay away from the Mayor. His specific job for the Mayor was help with his campaign for Governor the following Fall. Hardemayer had the Ghostbusters committed to the psychiatric ward at Parkview Hospital to keep them from going to the press about the river of slime that the Mayor had refused to do anything about. When the Mayor found out about this he fired Hardemayer and had the Ghostbusters released so that they could stop Vigo.

Personality

He was largely disrespectful of the Ghostbusters and ultimately overstepped his authority by having them committed to Parkview Psychiatric Hospital. An act that would later result in his instant dismissal and prompt ejection from the mayor's office.

His role was similar to Walter Peck{.wikilink}'s in the first movie in that he was a skeptic who threatened and antagonized the Ghostbusters with legal and political power. As with Peck before him, he had received his comeuppance by film's end, in the form of an embarrassing and somewhat public loss of face. Similarly, he had a patronizing encounter with Dr. Peter Venkman{.wikilink}, prior to his failed attempt to have them put out of business. Peter took his rudeness as opportunity to fire back how officials such as him lie and figuratively kiss voters' butts. Although his status afterwards is unknown, he was last seen in better spirits. Jack was singing along with carollers at the art museum vigil.