After almost three decades of his death, John Belushi is still remembered by millions as one of the most celebrated comedian in the history of America.
John Belushi, the elder brother of actor and comedian Jim Belushi was known for his "intense energy and raucous attitude" which he often displayed in his acts. He was one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). He was famous for his recordings and performances as one of the Blue Brothers along with his best buddy Dan Aykroyd.
This iconic comedian untimely demise at the young age of 33 shocked the whole country. Belushi’s death was caused by the overdose of a fatal drug called speedball which is usually a combination of cocaine and heroin. The body of the deceased was found by his trainer, Bill Wallace in his room, Bungalow at the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
In the early morning, on the day of Belushi’s death, Robin Williams and Robert De Niro visited Belushi and left the actor with Catherine Evelyn Smith. After the death, an investigation led by forensic pathologist Dr. Ryan Norris was officially concluded as a drug related accident. But dramatically after two months, Smith admitted in an interview with the National Inquirer that she gave Belushi the shot of speedball at the night of his death. After being convicted to the murder, she was charged with first-degree murder and served fifteen months in prison.
It is said that after his death by drug overdose, his close friend Robin Williams who met him hours before his death was haunted by his drug overdose. According to The National ENQUIRER, Williams who battled alcohol and drug problems his whole life and was deeply shaken by Belushi’s death and later committed suicide.
In the light of John Belushi’s popularity, his younger brother Jim’s name seems to vanish in thin air. The comedian and actor never got the kind of popularity that his dead brother garnered at a very young age of 33.
John Belushi is considered a great figure, despite dying 30 years ago. Celebrities are easily forgotten after they die but John Belushi is still being remembered for his works. He is truly a LEGEND. He total net worth is about $2 million
After his death several books have been written on him and many failed attempts of turning his life into movies has been done but without any satisfying result. A motion picture called ‘The Wired’ adapted from the investigative journalism book ‘Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi’ written by Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward was both commercial and critical failure.
The book was openly dissed by Belushi’s widowed wife Judith as she believed that the book was biased and showed her husband as a man out of control, whose life came to be ruled by cocaine and other drugs and a junkie. She attacked Woodward’s book by saying that it didn’t show the true self of Belushi who was full of life, humor, courage and energy.
The young widow and his family who was having hard time coping with his death didn’t feel Belushi deserved disrespect at such length.
Now finally, a biopic based on John Belushi is on the way where Emile Hirsch is be portraying Belushi and ‘Juno’ fame Ellen Page will be his wife Judith whereas ‘Whiplash’ star Miles Teller will play the role of Dan Aykroyd.
Though the cast of the movie is already finalized, Jim Belushi has already shown his dissatisfaction in the project. The actor said that not Emile but his 33 year old comedian son was fit for the role of his dead uncle.
Well, Jim Belushi, who is usually tight lipped about his brother’s death, has finally said something after a long time. The 'According to Jim' star who could not reach same height of the success as his brother has married thrice and has three children. And now he is insisting that his son should be the one to play his brother. What a man!!!