John Adam Belushi (January 24, 1949 – March 5, 1982) was an American actor and comedian. John was born in the U.S. to Adam Belushi, an Albanian immigrant who left his native Qytezë village in 1934 at the age of 15, and Agnes. John has a brother named James who is also a famous comedian.
Belushi's first big break as a comedian occurred in 1971, when he joined The Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. Thanks to his uncanny caricature of singer Joe Cocker's intense and jerky stage presence, he participated in National Lampoon's "Lemmings" stage show in 1972 (which also featured future Saturday Night Live performer Chevy Chase).
He achieved national fame with his work on Saturday Night Live, which he joined as one of the original cast members in 1975. He left Saturday Night Live in 1979 to pursue a film career, and he appeared in a number of movies, including The Blues Brothers (with Dan Aykroyd) and Animal House.
He was also known to indulge in bouts of drinking and involvement with drugs which eventually cost him his life. John was found dead on March 5, 1982 in a hotel room at the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was a speedball, a lethal injection of cocaine and heroin. His death was investigated by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, among others, and while there was some dispute in the findings it was eventually officially ruled a drug related accident. There was some suspicion of foul play by his companion and drug dealer at the time, Cathy Smith .
John Belushi is interred in Abel's Hill Cemetery, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Filmography
- Beethoven
- Samurai
- 'Joliet' Jake Blues
- Joe Cocker
- Dino de Laurentis
- Greek Restaurant Owner
- the Godfather
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Captain Kirk
External links
Last updated: 05-15-2005 21:53:07
