John Belushi was an American actor best known for his roles in Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and the comedy series Saturday Night Live. He gained fame for his energetic performances and unique style of humor.
Personal and Family Life
Born on January 24, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, John was raised in a family of Albanian descent. He had a brother, Jim Belushi, who also became an actor. John married Judith Belushi-Pisano in 1976, but their marriage was challenged by his struggles with addiction.
Career
John’s career took off after he joined Saturday Night Live in 1975, where his wild antics became a hallmark of the show. Prior to that, he performed at the famous comedy club Second City and achieved recognition through the off-Broadway rock musical National Lampoon’s Lemmings. His role as “Bluto” in Animal House made him a household name, and he later starred in the cult classic The Blues Brothers.
Death and Legacy
On March 5, 1982, John Belushi was found dead in his hotel room from an overdose of cocaine and heroin at the age of 33. Despite his troubled life, he left a lasting impact on comedy and film, remembered for his raw talent and unforgettable characters. His charitable acts and friendships also show a different side to the legendary funnyman.
Filmography
Title
Release Date
Character
The Blues Brothers
1980-06-16
‘Joliet’ Jake Blues
1941
1979-12-14
Capt. Wild Bill Kelso
Continental Divide
1981-09-18
Ernie Souchak
Goin’ South
1978-10-06
Hector
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
1978-03-22
Ron Decline
Neighbors
1981-12-18
Earl Keese
The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story
2006-06-06
Himself
Lemmings
1973-01-25
Various
Old Boyfriends
1979-03-22
Eric
The Blues Brothers Live at Winterland
1978-12-31
Joliet Jake Blues
Saturday Night Live: Christmas
1999-12-01
Himself
Saturday Night Live: The Best of John Belushi
2005-08-06
Self / Various
Steve Martin’s Best Show Ever
1981-11-25
Zhelezna Postruk
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dan Aykroyd
2005-09-06
Various Characters
The Best of the Blues Brothers
1994-07-26
Jake Blues (archive footage)
Animal House
1978-07-28
John “Bluto” Blutarski
Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon
2015-01-25
Self / Actor
Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary
1989-09-24
Self
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live
2005-02-20
Self
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes
1998-08-18
Self
The Beach Boys: It’s OK
1976-11-22
Cop #2
The Stories Behind the Making of ‘The Blues Brothers’
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