Dan Aykroyd’s Life And Career After The Blues Brothers And Losing John Belushi

Best known for his role in ‘The Blues Brothers,’ Dan Aykroyd’s career did not end with the film’s credits. While his co-star John Belushi’s passing marked an important moment in his life, Aykroyd’s journey post-‘The Blues Brothers’ took various turns.

A Loss that Shaped Aykroyd’s Journey

Aykroyd’s beginnings in comedy trace back to the 1970s, when he became a mainstay of the ‘Saturday Night Live (SNL).’ 1978’s ‘The Blues Brothers’ film, an offshoot of their SNL skit, saw Aykroyd paired with his friend and comedic partner, John Belushi.

Thanks to their on-screen chemistry, the film became an instant classic. However, on March 5, 1982, Belushi was found dead at his bungalow at the Chateau Marmont Hotel. As reported by Outsider, he recalled the time he heard about his friend’s passing in an episode of the ‘What We’re Drinking‘ podcast, saying:

“I was typing a line for Belushi for ‘Ghostbusters.’ I was at our office at 155th Avenue. It was about 8:30 in the morning. I’m typing a line for him, and the phone rings from LA, and it’s the manager. And all I’m thinking is I gotta get to Judy’s house [Belushi’s wife] right now. She can’t hear this on the radio.”

Aykroyd admitted thinking of John Belushi daily and felt he had overcome his struggles with substances the summer before he died.

Life After The Blues Brothers

Aykroyd starred in various films after the loss of his friend and collaborator. He co-starred in ‘Ghostbusters,’ which not only became a box-office hit but also spun off sequels and an animated series. This film, which Aykroyd co-wrote and starred in, introduced the world to proton packs, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and the catchphrase, ‘Who you gonna call?’

The 1990s witnessed the actor take on roles in films like ‘My Girl‘ and ‘Coneheads,‘ where he reprised his SNL character, Beldar Conehead. Although he later stepped back from high-profile acting, Aykroyd has worked on various TV shows, including ‘Psi Factor,‘ ‘Soul Man,‘ and has guest-starred on other shows like ‘Family Guy‘ and ‘Workin’ Moms.‘ He also appeared in ‘Zombieland: Double Tap‘ and returned as Dr. Ray Stantz in ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife.’

Although you can see Aykroyd in various roles following Belushi’s passing, he believes he doesn’t need fame to work in the film industry:

“I don’t need fame anymore. People are less interested in me in terms of celebrity. I’m happy to see a new generation being the media focus. I’m happy my day is done… I don’t want to work anymore really in film. I’d have to be called up by triple-A superstars.”

Alongside acting, Aykroyd also pursued business interests. He launched the Crystal Head Vodka brand, which gained attention for its bottle design and quality.

Especially after Belushi’s death, The Blues Brothers Band’s lineup has changed over time. Today, they continue to tour with Aykroyd occasionally performing alongside Jim Belushi, John’s younger brother.

Aykroyd also created The House of Blues venue chain. Established in 1992, this venture sought to promote African-American cultural contributions in music and art. Today, House of Blues venues across the United States offer audiences a blend of music, food, and art.

As of now, Aykroyd is working on another ‘Ghostbusters’ sequel, which will be the fifth film in the ‘Ghostbusters‘ franchise. The film is scheduled to be released on March 29, 2024.