Gary Grooberson

Gary Grooberson
Occupation:	Ghostbuster Seismologist Summer School Teacher
Also Known As:	Mr. Grooberson
Appeared In:	Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Ghostbusters: Back in Town #1 Ghostbusters: Back in Town #2 Ghostbusters: Back in Town #3 Ghostbusters: Back in Town #4
Played By:	Paul Rudd

Gary Grooberson (also known as Mr. Grooberson) is Phoebe and Podcast's summer school science teacher and is a seismologist who came to Summerville to study its rare and unique earthquakes. He later became part of the new team of Ghostbusters in New York.

History

Before Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Gary Grooberson was an avid fan of the Ghostbusters early in life. He later went into the field of seismology. After Summerville started to suffer an unprecendented amount of earthquakes, he went to the town during the summer of 2021 to study the phenomena. To supplement his stay in Summerville, Gary got a job at Summerville Middle School teaching a summer school science course.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

One morning, Gary stopped at the school's entrance to ask Callie if she was okay. Callie told him it was her child's first day and asked him if he could imagine who they got teaching summer school. Gary informed her that he was the summer school teacher. She apologized. Gary told her it was okay and pointed out most of the children were not very bright. He greeted a boy named Colin. Colin pushed past Callie and ignored Gary. Gary summarized he could basically do whatever he wanted. Callie commented that was a score. Gary agreed and called it a dream job. She walked outside, turned her head once to take one more look, then resumed walking. Gary wheeled in an old cathode tube television into the classroom and greeted his students. He introduced himself as "Mr. Grooberson" and admitted off the bat that he did not want to be in school as much they did not. He revealed he discovered a VHS copy of "Cujo" and explained to them the movie was about a rabid Saint Bernard. He refrained from giving too much away but told them to imagine if Beethoven contracted rabies and just started mauling children. He mused they would get the idea and played the movie then went into another room connected to the classroom.

Around the point in the movie when Cujo attacked Karen's car, an earthquake went off in Summerville. Gary went to an instrument and watched it. Phoebe walked in and stared at his research on the wall. She asked what it was. Gary was surprised and informed her there was a highly entertaining movie about a killer dog happening right over in the classroom. Phoebe asked if that was a seismic map on the wall. Gary confirmed it was and asked her how she knew that. She explained she guessed it was a seismic map because it was a map of seismic activity. Before Gary could speak, she asked him if he was a seismologist. He asked her if that seemed hard to believe. Phoebe stated she figured him for a football coach. He was beside himself. Phoebe looked over some papers and noticed the patterns were not tectonic or volcanic. Gary was intrigued and drew out a volcanic and tectonic earthquake. He stated how the volcanic one builds and crests and how the tectonic has a little p-wave followed by a large s-wave. Phoebe stated she knew that and she was not an idiot. Gary agreed then drew out the pattern in Summerville: a large p-wave and a small s-wave like an explosion. Phoebe asked him where it was coming from. Gary admitted he had no idea and revealed he could not triangulate it despite setting up geophones. Phoebe asked if he used three. Gary confirmed he knew how many sides there are in a triangle. Phoebe joked she thought he was being obtuse then she winked. Gary stared at her then asked if that was a geometry joke. Phoebe confirmed it was joke and explained that was why she winked. Gary understood and found it so terrible he loved it. He continued and explained to Phoebe that Summerville was nowhere near a tectonic plate, never had any underground volcanic activity, was near no fault lines, and never had any frakking took place there and added there was not even any loud music yet the town was shaking on a daily basis. They looked at the seismic map. Phoebe speculated it could be the apocalypse. He looked at her.

The next day, Gary played "Chucky" for the class. While the other students watched Chucky attacking Karen Barclay, Podcast attempted to pry Phoebe's Trap open with a wooden ruler. Part of the ruler snapped off. Gary looked up from his comic book and quickly got out of his chair. Gary was impressed with their killer replica. He picked up the Trap and admired it. Podcast agreed. Phoebe asked him what it was a replica of. Gary was shocked at her question. He told them it was a Ghost Trap. They looked at him blankly. He looked at Podcast and wondered how of all people, he knew nothing about it. Podcast stated he was ashamed. Gary admitted he was obsessed was Ghostbusters and equated New York in the 1980s to "The Walking Dead." He looked at every inch of the Trap. Phoebe asked him if it just stopped. Gary recalled there was no ghost sighting in 30 years. A small gray mist seeped out then sucked back in the Trap. Gary dropped the Trap. The Trap cackled. He crouched down and asked them if that was a real Trap. Podcast confirmed it was. Phoebe told him it might be and revealed she found it in her living room. Podcast added she lived on the Dirt Farm. Gary asked that was the really spooky one. Podcast told him it was farm that read "DIRT" on it. Phoebe asked what happened in New York. Gary showed them a recording taken by someone during the Manhattan Crossrip of 1984 and explained the whole city was freaking out and then these physicists showed up in their portable proton accelerators and blew the roof off a Manhattan high rise.

Gary soon realized none of it was ringing a bell with them. Phoebe pointed out it was decades before she was born. Podcast believed that all happened. Gary guessed her father never mentioned it. Phoebe stated was only with her mother. Gary commented "cool" then slipped away. Podcast questioned why he said that. Gary wondered if the Trap still worked. Podcast suggested they try to open it. Gary lit up at the thought of that. After school, Gary clamped jumper cables on a school bus engine and on the Trap. He picked up a pair of safety glasses and handed one to Phoebe. She wad amused two millimeters of plastic was considered eye protection. She asked them if what they were doing was safe. Gary stated it was not safe and history was safe. He walked to the driver window of the school bus while Phoebe uncurled the Trap's line. Gary called geometry safe. He declared science was all particle accelerators and hydrogen bombs or giving yourself the plague and gambling on the cure. He handed the other pair of safety glasses to Podcast, who sat on the bus driver's seat. Phoebe placed the trap pedal down between the two school buses then she stood near the open door. She called science reckless. Gary agreed it was reckless, like punk rock, and called safety pins the nipple of academia then told Podcast to fire it up. Podcast started the ignition. The Trap cackled. Gary exhaled and admitted he always wanted to open a Trap. Phoebe took cover behind the door. He pushed the pedal down with his foot. Nothing happened. He stomped the pedal twice more. Nothing happened. He held out his hand to tell Phoebe to stay there. He approached the Trap in anticipation. He tapped the Trap doors. It suddenly opened in a flash. He fell on his back. The spectral form of Vinz Clortho roared then flew towards the Shandor Mining Company property. Phoebe turned away as it passed by, shattering the windows on Gary's car and both buses. Podcast stepped outside and raised his arms in triumph. Gary became uneasy and suggested they leave. Phoebe pointed out he was an adult. Gary noted he was and that made him liable. Gary took the clamps off the Trap then drove Phoebe and Podcast to the Farmhouse. He grimaced as he plucked a small piece of windshield glass that was still on the frame.

Podcast narrated into his boom mike after he entered the house. He took note of the presence of doors and windows like any ordinary house but also acknowledged the distinct smell of evil. Gary asked him what he was doing. Podcast likened it to setting mood by giving a little color. Gary found it creepy but he dug it. They looked around in the study. Podcast found an Aztec Death Whistle. Gary recognized it and recalled it repelled spirits. Podcast blew into it. Callie walked into the study to see what the horrific sound was. Podcast asked if he could keep the whistle. Callie told him to keep it as long as he did not use it again. Gary greeted her. She noted he brought them. Gary stated it was a service he provided, he was also an escort. She reacted. He admitted that came out wrong. She agreed. Gary admitted he always wondered what was inside the Farmhouse. Callie informed him the only thing lurking inside was her slowly dying soul. Gary asked if that was what the smell was. Callie quipped it was not dinner. Phoebe and Podcast stared at them in disbelief. Callie was about to offer something but he quickly accepted. She admitted she had no food. Callie suggested a tour. He accepted. She showed him the dining room. Podcast quickly deduced Gary was trying to bone Callie. Gary noticed an ancient looking map written in some kind of cuneiform. He realized it was a map of Summerville even though it was written in a language from thousands of years ago and the town was less than 100 years old. He was surprised at how uninterested Callie was in it and asked to have it. Callie allowed him to take it but warned him that was how it started: first a map, then you move into a haunted house, and then everyone started calling him a "Dirt Farmer." He smiled then asked if Phoebe would want to hear about the map, too. Callie believed Phoebe would find something else. They agreed to grab dinner the next day.

Callie and Gary went to Enjoy Garden Restaurant for dinner. Gary went on about how Summerville never had earthquakes but between 2010 and 2016, there was a thousand. Callie asked what happened. Gary informed her oil and gas companies pumped millions of gallons of salinated water deep into the Arbuckle Formation. He paused and asked her if she was drunk or really bored. She denied it. Gary noted he saw her falling asleep. Callie stated she was allergic to science. Gary suggested Benadryl. Callie told him she tried whiskey. Gary claimed science was amazing, pure, an absolute, and an answer to all the madness. He asked her why she disliked science then asked if Phoebe's dad was a scientist. Callie found that gross. Gary probed what the dad's deal was. Callie claimed it did not matter but told him anyway that the father got along fine with Trevor but couldn't really connect with Phoebe. Gary thought he sounded like a royal dirt bag. Callie corrected him and said he was just a very ordinary dirt bag. Gary took solace that Phoebe turned out okay. Callie hoped so and was worried because she kept her on the outside. Gary assured her Phoebe was just an awkward nerdy kid but she was awesome like her mother. Callie shared her wish that Phoebe would relax and get into some trouble. Gary believed there was plenty of time for that and joked she could take up pole dancing. Callie quipped she was not very coordinated. Gary joked that did not matter. She chuckled. Muncher later flew through the restaurant and startled Gary and Callie.

Callie and Gary ended their date and headed to the Summerville County Sheriff's Department. Callie asked Deputy Medjuck where her children were. Medjuck informed her they were in lockup. She stated her children were not criminals. Medjuck believed her in a sarcastic tone. Sheriff Domingo stepped out of his office and told Callie they were driving without a license, had an expired registration, and were speeding. Callie presumed they were not the first to go joyriding in Summerville. Gary protested and pointed out it was a Saturday night. Domingo confirmed they were not the first to joyride but they were the first to destroy half of Main Street with a Proton Pack. He had no idea what it was and pointed to it on the front desk. Gary was amazed by the sight of it. Phoebe and Trevor were escorted to the front. Callie asked them what the hell they were thinking. Gary joined in and pointed out they could have really hurt themselves. While Callie's back was to him, Gary's face indicated the opposite and he thought they did something really cool. He casually introduced himself to a confused Trevor. While Callie filled out the release form, Gary leaned toward Phoebe and asked in a whisper if she caught anything. Phoebe indicated to him a ghost was in the Trap. Callie told them they were leaving then reminded him he was supposed to look after Phoebe this summer. Gary was surprised. Callie clarified she was talking to Trevor. Trevor quibbled the incident was Phoebe's idea. She had an outburst over the equipment and Ecto-1 remaining at the sheriff's office and her grandfather being insulted. Gary was last to leave. He nodded at Domingo, pointed at the Proton Pack unable to contain himself then left.

Gary parked in front of the Farmhouse. Everyone got out. Gary was about to say something but Trevor and Phoebe walked right into the house. Gary brushed it off. Callie and Gary both half shrugged to each other. She apologized for the night going sideways. He claimed he had a blast and suggested they continue their dinner the next night. Callie asked him if he really wanted more. Gary looked at the bright side: they had kung pao shrimp and went to jail. He was unsure how they were going to top a home run like that. Callie looked down, exhaled, and looked up again. She stated her life was a dumpster fire. Gary declared he loved dumpster fires and she should see his apartment. He corrected himself on the latter. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. He stopped rambling. As she walked to the door, he joked they were moving way too fast and she had to just relax. Gary held up a while plastic bag and offered to give the children their leftover shrimp. Callie closed the door.

Gary went to the local Walmart. Vinz Clortho, in wisp form, flew into the store after him. Gary made his way to the frozen foods aisle. He opened a door of a refrigerator fully stocked with Baskin-Robbins ice cream. He took out a Jamoca. A woman screamed elsewhere in the store. Gary turned his head in reaction but continued on to the next aisle. He saw the toppings and stepped forward to the shelf. He snickered at the sight of the blue velvet flavor and walked past a shelf of Stay Puft Marshmallows. Something moved in one of the 10 ounce bags. Gary doubled back and stared at the bag. An entity tore a hole from the inside and emerged, yawning and rubbing its eyes. It was a Mini-Puft, a tiny but not identical version of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. It saw Gary, smiled, and stepped forward but it fell off the bag and landed on its face. It stood up and the imprint of the shelf vanished. It stepped forward. Gary was in awe. He laughed and waved to it. It marched forward but stopped at the edge of the shelf. It turned around and looked at its surroundings. Gary poked its butt. The Mini-Puft frowned, turned around, and smiled. It bit Gary's finger.

More Mini-Pufts burst out of bags. Several on a Roomba drove into Gary's left shoe. There were tons of Mini-Pufts all over the aisle. The Roomba ran one over as it drove out of the aisle. Gary was horrified and hurried past a Fourth of July themed display for grills where more Mini-Pufts were destroying each other. Gary came out an aisle then froze. Vinz Clortho was across from him with his head in a Purina Dog Chow bag scarfing away. Gary quietly backed up. The Mini-Pufts on the Roomba crashed into his shoe then drove on. Vinz lifted his head out of the bag and stared at Gary. Gary tried to talk to it but Vinz cut him off with a roar. Gary threw his Baskin-Robbins at Vinz's head and ran away, screaming. Vinz chased after him, knocking clothing racks aside, but he slid into some mannequins. He shook a mannequin arm off its head. Gary ran out into the parking lot. Just when the automatic doors closed, Vinz burst through the glass a bit too fast and stuttered. Gary made it to his car. He jumped in headfirst through where the windshield used to be, sat up in the driver's seat and fumbled with his keys. One of Vinz's paws stomped down on the hood. He snarled. The tires squealed and flattened. Vinz looked down then turned back, roared, and lunged at Gary then possessed him. The next day, Vinz used a pipe wrench to move a Proton Cannon's trajectory and destroyed one of the other cannons preventing the cross rip inside the Shandor Mining Company mine. He rested outside until Zuul, in possession of Callie, arrived. Vinz quickly got up and briskly walked to her. He complimented her eyes. Zuul spoke in dog gibberish. He thanked her, took the flower off his ear and offered it. She ate it. They embraced and dropped down to the ground.

Zuul and Vinz walked hand in hand to the Temple of Gozer in the mine. They took their places on each side of the throne then raised their arms up. Gozerian lightning from the disturbance above the mine struck Zuul and Vinz and transmogrified them into their Terror Dog forms. Gozer climbed out of the sacrificial pit soon after. After Gozer, Zuul, Vinz, the many ghost wisps, and the Psychokinetic Atmospheric Influence was trapped, the Terror Dogs were reduced to black husks. Trevor ran over to them and pulled the head off one. Gary's head was visible. Trevor asked him if he was okay. Gary noted his hands hurt from galloping. One of Lucky Domingo's hands emerged from the other husk. Trevor ran over and helped her out. Callie and Gary talked. Gary summarized that was weird. She agreed. Gary touched his head and realized he was bleeding but did not know why. Callie informed him he headbutted a park bench. Gary remembered. After some awkwardness, Gary tried to address that they had sex when they were possessed and opened the gates to hell. Callie pointed out they saved the world after. He took solace in that.

Ghostbusters: Back in Town

In 2023, Gary, Callie, Phoebe, and Trevor relocated to New York and became a new team of Ghostbusters. Callie drove into New York City via the George Washington Bridge. Gary tried to hype their arrival and pointed out what bridge they were on and the Statue of Liberty but Trevor was preoccupied with his phone. Gary recalled pizza was something Trevor liked. Callie told Trevor to relax and mused Lucky was probably in school. Trevor confirmed she was in class. Gary was surprised they allowed texting in class. Trevor asked how else would students communicate with their teachers. Callie asked Phoebe if she was excited they got a brand new start in the most thrilling city in the world. Phoebe joked they were really going to Albuquerque. Gary suggested "mildly enthusiastic" was more accurate. Phoebe admitted her curiosity was at a brisk walk.

The Spenglers and Gary pulled up to the Firehouse. Winston revealed there were still some issues with plumbing, electricity, HVAC, and mold. Gary asked if the fire pole still worked. Callie questioned if a fire pole could be broken. Winston opened a locker and presented flight suits and ghostbusting equipment. He cautioned them that more people have died in New York City than in any other city in the country and centuries of bad vibes built up sometimes spilling over but he personally learned no matter, they would be okay as long as they stuck together. The electricity went out. Winston assured them it was fine Callie told Gary and Trevor to find the breaker box. They got the power back on and noticed a dead charred cockroach at the breaker. Phoebe joked the electricity had a few bugs.

Trevor and Phoebe returned home after the first day of school from Hell. Gary invited them in and revealed Callie made quesadillas. Over the next several days, they had several setbacks. Gary accidentally used the microwave when everyone was trying to watch television and caused a short. Gary tried one of the fire poles and discovered the hard way it was broken. Gary and Phoebe checked the attic but immediately smelled something bad. Phoebe called it mold "with a hint of turning around and never coming up here again." Gary agreed with her assessment. While everyone ate pizza in the garage bay, Callie tried to downplay the amount of work needed to fix up the Firehouse and reminded them they had to start somewhere. Trevor suggested starting with a demolition crew. Gary chimed in with trying to focus on one project at a time and work their way down the list. He pointed out he already fixed the fire pole and only cut himself twice. They were interrupted with the manifestation of a large ghost that looked like an amalgam of a cockroach, alligator, and goldfish. The ghost yanked a fire pole off its foundation to Gary's dismay and threw it. Trevor and Phoebe blasted the pole. The pole landed on Ecto-1's light bar. The ghost grabbed Gary. Gary thought it smelled worse than the attic. Despite their bickering, they trapped the ghost. Gary landed hard. He lamented the damage done to Ecto-1.

The next morning, Gary waited while Phoebe inspected a cavity in the wall under the Containment Unit with a pair of Ecto Goggles. She asked Gary, "Why do blobs enjoy skydiving?" Gary had no idea. She replied, "Slime flies when you're having fun." Gary complimented the joke. Phoebe had a green ectoplasm on her gloves and drained it into a jar. Gary suggested taking it to the lab for analysis. Phoebe was surprised they had a lab. Gary clarified they had no lab yet but it would be cool. They went upstairs where Callie had breakfast smoothies ready and it thanks to a recipe from Janine. Gary was ecstatic and thanked her. Gary and Callie took a drink and instantly regretted it. Gary thought they drank the slime by mistake but Callie confirmed it was the smoothie. Gary wondered if Janine was mad at them.

In the afternoon, in the basement, Callie asked Gary if he also got the vibe Phoebe was mad at them about their first bust. She admitted they were not exactly a well-oiled ghostbusting machine. Gary thought they were awesome. Callie pointed out the ghost almost ripped him in half. Gary emphasized the "almost" part. Callie loaded a Trap in the Containment Unit. She wanted Phoebe and Trevor to take typical risks as teenagers and noted ghostbusting was dangerous Gary thought of fighting Sumerian gods bent on destroying the world. Callie agreed and knew they were thriving in New York more than in Oklahoma. She was concerned about screwing that up. A woman entered the Firehouse and asked them if they were the Ghostbusters. She reported an encounter with a "thing" in Central Park. Gary grabbed two Proton Packs.

At the park, the group leader described the bird as a "giant flying prehistoric thing," short of calling it a ghost. Gary scanned around with the Ecto Goggles and asked if it was not just a rare bird. He asked if she ever played Wingspan. She was annoyed he would even ask that and mused it was not a bird unless a dino-bird expansion came out. Gary sighted the bird ghost. He shouted at Callie and the client to duck but missed the ghost. The group leader thought was a bird joke. Gary wrangled the ghost but the Trap Callie threw out was out of charge. Gary instructed her to blast the Trap to charge it with the Proton Stream. Callie tried and only blew it up. Gary had no choice but to release the ghost. Callie admitted they should have taken Trevor and Phoebe out of school instead of winging it. Gary pointed out that was the bird joke. The group leader stated she hated bird watching.

In the evening, outside the Firehouse, Gary blasted a Siren ghost from Ecto-1's gunner seat. Gary called her Lizard Face and pointed out he was a little too young for her. Callie teased his 'strong open' nonchalantly. Gary admitted he panicked. Trevor was annoyed and claimed he had the situation under control. The ghost entranced Trevor and he shot at Gary but missed. The ghost transmogrified and lunged at Trevor. Callie wrangled the ghost and told Gary to deploy the Trap. Gary operated the Remote Trap Vehicle and trapped it. They drove to the Laugh Riot Comedy Club to pick up Phoebe. Trevor asked the ghosts, "What has a Proton Pack and is ready to send you back to Hell?" The ghosts were confused. Gary told Trevor not to say it. Trevor proclaimed, "This guy!" Gary was appalled that Trevor made fun of his jokes after hearing that. They trapped all the ghosts. Callie recalled "Ghostbusting is easy, comedy is hard." She told Phoebe to ask Trevor. He took offense. Phoebe added Gary, too. He was aghast.

Back at the Firehouse, the team told Ray about their recent paranormal encounters. Ray noted there were now reports of paranormal activity coming in from all over the city. He asked if that was everything. Phoebe added Trevor tried to kill Gary. Trevor denied it. Ray told them about Madame Malveaux and believed the Psychomagnotheric Slime could stop her but all he had was jar of crystals. Phoebe had an idea on how to effectively weaponize the crystals. Gary and Trevor worked on Ecto-1 while Phoebe and Callie modified the Particle Throwers. Trevor wondered what they were talking about. Gary recognized her "I don't get it but I want to admit it" laugh. Trevor wanted to make it clear to Gary he wasn't trying to kill him. Gary assured him it was just a toxic mix of teenage boy hormones and the supernatural influence of a powerful ghost siren. He asked Trevor shoot him if he ever used the phrase "teenage boy hormones" again. Trevor promised his pack would be fired up before the words left his mouth. Phoebe informed everyone her theory was the particle streams would pass through the affixed crystal, altering the protons and give them the power to fight Malveaux and her slime. Trevor suggested a test before the big battle. Gary saw a cockroach and blasted it with success. Callie told him it was just a regular one. A wave of Green Super Slime filled with Cockroach Acolytes flooded into the Firehouse.

Gary clung to a fire pole, grateful he decided to fix it. Phoebe directed everyone to get to Ecto-1. Gary pointed out his predicament. Phoebe and Callie blasted the slime. Phoebe suggested they head to Hell's Kitchen, where Madame Malveaux's parlor was located, but P.K.E. readings were spiking in Times Square. Malveaux flooded the square with Green Super Slime and tapped off the energy it stored from the chaos. People climbed atop cars or poles. The Ghostbusters arrived but Malveaux found their resistance pathetic. Phoebe believed they could defeat her and recalled Vigo was beaten by a bunch of singing New Yorkers. Gary joined in and taunted Malveaux by calling her "Maleficient" and bragging he loved karaoke. She screamed her name at them. Before they could open fire, they were hit by a wave of slime. Callie and Gary were stuck. The wave left them hanging by a traffic pole and streetlight, respectively, by their Proton Pack's straps. A girl recognized them. People started fighting over space on rooftops. The anger and chaos only made Malveaux stronger.

A man got out his pocket knife and cut Callie and Gary free then wished them good luck. Even though the Psyhomagnotheric Slime crystals affixed to everyone's Particle Throwers were burned out, Phoebe directed Callie and Phoebe to shoot at Malveaux on her signal while Trevor retrieved the Remote Trap Vehicle from Ecto-1. Phoebe readied a bottle containing one last positively charged Psychomagnotheric Slime crystal. Malveaux mocked Callie and Gary as she dodged their shots. Callie got an idea and told Gary to shoot the New Year's Eve Ball. The beam refraction surprised Malveaux. Trevor opened the Remote Trap Vehicle. Malveaux was amused by their futile attempt and declared she could not be stopped. Phoebe threw the crystal into the Trap. The trap cone passed through crystal and modified it. Malveaux was captured. Phoebe joked that was the problem with clairvoyants, they were so predictable. Gary wondered how she came up with her jokes. They drove off in Ecto-1. The Ghostbusters returned to the Firehouse and told Ray, Winston, Janine, and Lucky all about the battle in Times Square. Janine offered everyone her smoothie. Everyone declined except Ray. Phoebe tried to warn him but he took a drink. He asked Janine if she was mad at them. Everyone laughed.

Gary was not exactly clear where he stood with the Spengler children. His instinct was to be their friend, but struggled to be a parent and lay down the law at the right time since he only knew them for a few years.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

During the Sewer Dragon chase in the summer of 2024, Gary drove Ecto-1. Callie and Gary forbade Phoebe from going outside on the gunner chair. Phoebe went out anyway. Callie trapped the ghost with the Drone Trap but Gary rammed a fleet of parked rental bicycles at City Hall Park. Mayor Walter Peck held them responsible for all the damage caused by the bust. Gary insisted they couldn't let the Sewer Dragon fly around SoHo like it was Middle Earth. Peck was incensed to learn Phoebe was a minor and stated children don't become police officers, firefighters, or Ghostbusters. Gary asked for permission to approach the bench. Peck informed him he was not a judge. Gary tried to extol Phoebe's abilities. Peck asked if he was her parent. Gary replied he was a step-teacher. Peck corrected him and said he was her employer. Gary slipped and clarified she was not being paid. Peck added child labor violation to the litany of charges. Phoebe was benched until she turned 18 in three years.

Back at the Firehouse, Gary made tacos for movie night. He revealed a VHS of "Cannibal Girls" for movie night. Callie asked if it was family friendly. Gary hoped not since it was about a family that ate people. Phoebe threatened to take her grievances to the labor board on the grounds being a Ghostbuster was her calling and she saved the world. Callie emphasized "we" but Phoebe pointed out they were turned into possessed canines. Gary asked Trevor to keep an eye on the beans and followed after the pair. Gary and Callie tried to convince her three years would go by fast. Gary pointed out he was studying earthquakes and chose to be a Ghostbuster. Gary and Callie reminisced about going on a date, being possessed, and getting some action. Phoebe contended it made sense for Gary since he was a scientist then turned to Callie. Callie warned her to choose her next words carefully. Gary and Callie went down to the basement. Gary was surprised Phoebe knew those words. Callie pointed out he could have backed her up. She found it nice he was being their friend but he sometimes needed to be an asshole, too. He felt it was not his place to be. She hoped it was. He was unsure if it was allowed. She granted him permission. He warned her he could be scary and demonstrated. She laughed at his expense. He promised to be a nice to her and only be an asshole to her kids. Gary and Callie struggled to pull down the handle together and finish depositing Sewer Dragon into the Containment Unit. The next day, after the Containment Unit was first hit by the Death Chill, Janine Melnitz checked out the basement with Gary. He asked if the original Ghostbusters even emptied it. Janine sarcastically asked where they could have done that and suggested the East River. She took a photo of the unit with her phone and promised to let Winston's engineers know about the problem. Gary was intrigued and asked if they were making "super secret ghostbusting stuff." She confirmed he was right.

The next day, Lars Pinfield took readings of the Containment Unit. Gary tried to make small talk and asked if his equipment helped him hear the ghosts in the unit. Lars replied silence helped him hear the ghosts. Gary and Phoebe exchanged looks. Lars was startled by a klanging sound from the unit. Winston, Janine, and Lars met with the new team to talk about the Containment Unit running out of space. The meeting shifted to the Paranormal Research Center, where a new one had already been built. Ray remarked it could spin the equivalent of 50 million cubic hectares of plasmic confinement, a space equal to the American West. He and Gary did a riff on "Home, Home on the Range". Gary and Callie looked at one of the ghosts being studied, Pukey, and found it cute and waved. It threw up ectoplasm towards them. That night, Gary felt bad and pretended to have trouble putting his Proton Pack back together. Phoebe played along. The team left on a call to downtown without Phoebe. The next day, Gary, Callie, and Trevor went to a police station after Ray, Podcast, and Phoebe were arrested over an incident at the New York City Public Library. Phoebe stood up to Mayor Peck and was arrested again for what he called slander. She was released later on. Gary and Callie came to collect her and she wanted to skip the lecture and be grounded. Callie informed her she was fired. Phoebe snapped back she would be their secretary if she was not a Spengler. Gary reminded her she was talking to her mother and being a Spengler doesn't equate to being a genius just a part of the family. Phoebe asked if he was. Gary told her if she was not being so selfish she would see they were doing everything they could to protect her. He yelled at her to wake up. She stormed out. Gary felt awful. Callie understood what he was feeling and rhetorically asked him if it sucked.

Gary pulled up to the Firehouse where Lucky, Lars, Trevor, and Nadeem Razmaadi were waiting. Phoebe asked if this was their last night at the Firehouse. Gary replied he didn't know. Callie went to her bedroom to pack. Gary revealed he wanted to stay and fight for it because it was their home. He started quoting lines from the "Ghostbusters" song and convinced her to stay, too. He added "busting make me feel good" but Callie told him to get out. Gary knocked on Phoebe's bedroom door and started talking, unaware she sneaked out, about how life was rough, unpredictable, and crazy but family was the one thing that was there for you no matter what and sometimes it was not blood relatives that reminded you you have a home. He ended repeating he thought she was really great.

The next day, Callie and Gary rushed into the Paranormal Research Center and found Phoebe and Lucky huddled in Parka Uniforms on the floor. They tried to explain what happened but Gary told them all that mattered was they were okay. Lars disagreed. He saw the pieces of the Orb and knew they were in trouble. On the way back to the Firehouse, Phoebe said it was okay if they hated her. Gary said they were worried. Callie added they had no idea where she was and she could have been killed. Phoebe admitted she felt stupid for trusting somebody she should not have. Gary tried to downplay it by saying he knew plenty of smart people who were morons. Callie reminded her she said it was okay to make mistakes. Phoebe pointed out she released a monstrous deity. Callie suggested getting a tattoo next time. Gary suggested shoplifting. Callie gave him the look then asked Phoebe if she was ready to be a Spengler again. She nodded. Callie told her they needed her. Gary, Callie, and Phoebe returned to the Firehouse. Ray asked how Garraka got free. Gary informed Janine that Garraka was a typical manifestation of evil and the ender of worlds, that kind of thing. Nadeem demonstrated his pyrokinetic ability and made a flame leap on a candle. No one was impressed. Gary asked where the packs were. Lars and Lucky unloaded Ecto-Z. Gary told Lucky and Trevor to head to the roof and shoot anything that looks terrifying. Lucky told Gary she already shot Garraka and he did not flinch.

On the second floor, Possessor entered Lucky's Particle Thrower and took aim at Trevor. Gary ran down from the steps and sacrificed himself for Trevor but Nadeem redirected the Proton Stream outside. Podcast quickly smashed up the Proton Pack with his Hammer of Truth. Possessor tried to hop away in a pizza on the table but Slimer suddenly appeared, ate the pizza, and flew up through the ceiling. Gary was dumbfounded. Callie went to the second floor and asked where Phoebe was. They heard thunder as Garraka drew closer. They all ran down to the ground floor except Nadeem. He wished them luck. Everyone opened fire but the Proton Streams had no effect on Garraka like Lucky claimed. Garraka nearly froze everyone. Melody had a change of heart and lit her match. Nadeem took control of the flame and blasted Garraka. The fire spread and thawed everyone out. Phoebe resumed blasting Garraka. Callie, Gary, and Trevor helped stabilize Phoebe from the power of the stream. The Containment Unit was successfully used to trap Garraka. A reporter asked Callie what busting ghosts together was called. Gary replied "a team" but Callie added "a family" then Gary said were the Spenglers, joking you didn't want to be a Grooberson. Slimer flew out of the Firehouse with Sewer Dragon in pursuit. As the team headed to Ecto-1, Phoebe referred to Gary as "dad" to his shock. Callie assured him she heard it, too. Gary was overcome by emotion and shouted in triumph. The Spenglers departed in Ecto-1.

Personality

Gary Grooberson is incredibly enthusiastic about science and Ghostbusters, but feels the exact opposite about teaching summer school science. He feels bad about putting his foot down and being disciplinary.

Behind The Scenes

On June 27, 2019, it was reported Paul Rudd was in final negotiations to join the cast in the role of a teacher. A video with Rudd was posted to confirm the casting.

On September 13, 2019, Ivan Reitman revealed Paul Rudd's character is a seismologist who goes to a small town experiencing mysterious earthquakes and teaches summer school there.

On October 17, 2019, during the October 17 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Paul Rudd revealed he finished filming his scenes about two weeks prior.

On December 6, a first look article included a still of Gary Grooberson holding a Trap.

On January 23, 2020, one of the stills released was of Gary Grooberson inspecting a map of Summervillie with Callie in the Farmhouse.

Trivia

Ghostbusters: Afterlife Trivia

• Gary Grooberson's whiteboard sketches were inspired by Jason Reitman's consultation with University of Calgary geoscience professor David Eaton.
• Paul Rudd also improvised lines in a school interior scene along with what was written.
• A Zaxby's cup is in Gary Grooberson's research room. Zaxby's was one of the restaurant chains participating in promotional tie-ins for Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
• Phoebe's line stating she figured Gary for a football coach is a callback to the first movie when Dana Barrett told Peter Venkman he seemed more like a game show host than scientist.
• The comic book Gary was reading at around the 31:34 mark was Marvel Comics's Ultimate Avengers #4 (November 25, 2009).
• Gary references "The Walking Dead" franchise.
• In Ghostbusters: Afterlife's first trailer, when Gary picks up the Trap, mist is green. In the movie, it is standard smoke.
• Gary refers to when the Ghostbusters blew up the roof of 550 Central Park West in the 1984 movie.
• The clips Gary shows Podcast and Phoebe are original dailies from the 1984 movie when they arrived at 550 Central Park West for the battle with Gozer, a deleted scene of Ivan Reitman's wife and two children Catherine Reitman and Jason Reitman make a cameo as tenants fleeing 550 Central Park West, and Janine Melnitz reunited with Egon as he exits the building at the end of the movie.
• Gary admits "I always wanted to do this," in reference to using a Ghost Trap. In the first movie, Peter had a similar line when he performed the 'the flowers are still standing' trick in Chapter 13: "Nice Shootin', Tex."
• Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon improvised their characters' flirtation after Gary and Callie meet in the Farmhouse.
• The ancient map that Gary notices while inside the Farmhouse first appeared off-screen as supplemental material with a tie-in merchandise release of Reebok shoes in November 2020.
• The scene where Callie and Gary eat dinner was filmed in the Enjoy Garden on Railway Street in Crossfield.
• "Foolish Try" plays during Callie and Gary's date.
• On Callie and Gary's table are a pair of orange Neko Lucky Cat Ceramic Tiki Mugs.
• Gary mentions the Arbuckle Formation during the date. It is the deepest layer of rock underlying much of oil-rich Kansas.
• Gary mentions allergy medication Benadryl during the date.
• Grooberson picks out a pint of Baskin-Robbins. In the first Ant-Man movie, Paul Rudd's character Scott Lang briefly works at one until he's fired for lying on his resume.
• Grooberson chuckles at the blue velvet flavor of ice cream topping, a nod to David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" movie.
• Grooberson was about to call Vinz a nice doggie like Louis Tully did in the first movie but is interrupted by a roar.
• Grooberson running to his car and Vinz catching up was a night shoot in the Deerfoot City Walmart parking lot.
• Like Louis Tully, Grooberson has an awkward moment before he is possessed. The weight of Vinz causes his tires to go flat.
• Gary somewhat recalls he had sex with Callie while they were possessed and she confirms it. In the first movie, there is a deleted scene "No, Louis!" where Louis somewhat recalls it but Dana Barrett flat out denies it.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Trivia

• For movie night, Gary presents a VHS copy of "Cannibal Girls," directed by the late Ivan Reitman.
• Callie's necklace has a fourth star added on to account for Gary now being part of the family.
• Gary quotes lines from the "Ghostbusters" song while he convinces Callie to stay and fight.

Ghostbusters: Back in Town Trivia

• Gary was on the tentative version of the Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #1 regular cover but was removed for the final version.
• On page five of Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #1, Gary asks if the fire pole still works, similar to what Ray asked in Ghostbusters, Chapter 05: Fixer-Upper.
• On page sixteen of Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #1, Gary is wearing a shirt he wears in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
• In Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #2, on page three, Gary wears a red plaid shirt he wears in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
• Gary loves karaoke.

Appearances

• Ghostbusters: Afterlife
  • Chapter 03
  • Chapter 04
  • Chapter 05
  • Chapter 06
  • Chapter 07
  • Chapter 08
    • Mentioned by Callie and Phoebe Spengler.
  • Chapter 09
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
  • Chapter 16
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
• Dark Horse Comics
  • Ghostbusters: Back in Town
    • Issue #1
    • Issue #2
    • Issue #3
    • Issue #4

Gallery

Primary Canon Images

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Possessed by Vinz Clortho

Changing into Terror Dog

In husk of Vinz Clortho

As seen in Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #1

As seen in Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #1

As seen on Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #2 Cover A

As seen on Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #2 Cover B

As seen in Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #2

As seen in Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #3

As seen on Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #4 Cover B

As seen in Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #4

As seen in Ghostbusters: Back in Town Issue #4

Primary Canon (Expanded Universe) Images

Ghostbusters: Afterlife deleted scene while Gary is possessed (Credit: Karen Bartek)

Ghostbusters: Afterlife deleted scene while Gary is possessed (Credit: Karen Bartek)

Gary and Peter in the frozen basement, seen in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire TV Spot "Deep Freeze"

Promotional Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire still posted on December 18, 2023 of Gary and Peter in the frozen basement surrounded by heaters. (Credit: EMPIRE magazine)

Gary asks what Peter would've done, seen in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire TV spot "Team Up"

Gary asks what Peter would've done, seen in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire TV spot "Team Up"

Promotional Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire still posted on January 9, 2024 depicts an extra shot of Gary and Callie examining the frozen basement (Credit: USA Today)

Behind the Scenes Images

Seen in Firehouse basement concept for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire by Andrew Smith dated 2/1/2022

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire storyboard of Sewer Dragon chase (Credit: Heiko Von Drengenberg)

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire storyboard of Sewer Dragon chase (Credit: Heiko Von Drengenberg)

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire storyboard of Sewer Dragon chase (Credit: Heiko Von Drengenberg)

Seen in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire storyboard (Credit: Heiko von Drengenberg)

Blue Delliquanti's sketch of Phoebe, Trevor, Callie, and Gary for Ghostbusters: Back in Town posted June 8, 2023 (Credit: Dark Horse Comics)

Blue Delliquanti's initial design for Gary in Ghostbusters: Back In Town, seen in Ghostbusters Volume 1: Back In Town trade paperback

Seen on Ghostbusters: Afterlife home entertainment trailer 12/27/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

From Ghostbusters: Afterlife B-Roll released 10/7/2021

Worked on by Karen Bartek for possessed Gary scenes in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Credit: Karen Bartek)

Temple of Gozer set filming, seen in Ghostbusters: Afterlife's Summoning The Spirit special feature

Behind the scenes of Ghostbusters: Afterlife with Jason and Ivan Reitman, seen in Behind It All 1/24/22

Filming scene near end of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Gary in husk of Vinz Clortho, seen in The Ghosts Are Back! 2/3/22

Stunt actor filming for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on Church Street on June 8, 2023 (Credit: Premiere)

Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard during Frozen Empire filming, seen in March 4, 2024 B-Roll

Early concept art for Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord (Credit: Jing Liang)