Judith Belushi-Pisano was an American actress and producer who is best known for The Blues Brothers, National Lampoon’s Animal House, and Blues Brothers. She was born on January 1, 1951, in Oak Park, Illinois, and passed away on July 5, 2024, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Personal and Family Life
Judith was born Judith Victoria Jacklin to parents Robert Leslie Jacklin and Jean Marsel Buchanan. She had three siblings, Robert, Pamela, and Patricia. Judith attended Wheaton Central High School in Wheaton, Illinois, where she met her future husband, John Belushi. They got married on December 31, 1976, and remained together until his death in 1982. She later married Victor Pisano in 1990, with whom she had one child, Lucas Jacklin Pisano.
Career
Judith made cameo appearances in her husband’s films, notably as Bluto’s dance partner in National Lampoon’s Animal House and a waitress in The Blues Brothers. She and John moved to New York City in 1973 to work for National Lampoon, where she began as an art assistant before becoming an associate producer for The National Lampoon Radio Hour. Judith was also involved in the Belushi Pisano Gallery and managed The Official Blues Brothers Revival with Dan Aykroyd.
Death and Legacy
Judith Belushi-Pisano passed away on July 5, 2024, after battling endometrial cancer. Her legacy continues through her contributions to entertainment and the preservation of the Blues Brothers’ influence in popular culture. She is remembered not only for her work but also for her connection to John Belushi and her dedication to their artistic endeavors.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Blues Brothers | 1980-06-16 | Cocktail Waitress |
| The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion | 1998-10-13 | Self |
| Belushi | 2020-10-14 | Self (archive footage) |