What was John Belushi’s Net Worth?

John Belushi, a beloved American actor, comedian, writer, and musician, had a net worth of $2 million at the time of his untimely death in March 1982 at the age of 33.

Belushi was best known for his work as a member of the original cast of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” from 1975 to 1979, where he also wrote for the show. He starred in iconic movies such as “Animal House” (1978) and “The Blues Brothers” (1980), and also appeared in “1941” (1979) and “Neighbors” (1981).

Belushi was posthumously ranked #1 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s 2015 list of the best “SNL” cast members. Despite his immense talent and success, John’s life was tragically cut short due to a drug overdose.

Early Life and Education

John Belushi was born in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Agnes and Adam Belushi. He grew up in an Eastern Orthodox Christian household with younger siblings Jim, Billy, and Marian. Belushi attended Wheaton Central High School and formed the band the Ravens with fellow teenagers. After graduation, he attended the College of DuPage and the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.

Early Career and Saturday Night Live

John Belushi formed the West Compass Trio and joined The Second City in Chicago. He then moved to New York City to work for The National Lampoon Radio Hour. In 1975, Belushi became one of the original cast members of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he was known for characters like the Blues Brothers, Samurai Futaba, and Olympia Café owner Pete Dionisopoulos.

Movie Career

Belushi appeared in several movies, including Animal House, which was ranked #1 on Bravo’s “100 Funniest Movies” list. He also co-starred in The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd and appeared in Continental Divide and Neighbors.

Music Career

As the Blues Brothers, Belushi and Aykroyd released the albums Briefcase Full of Blues and Made in America.

Final Role and Passing

John Belushi’s final role was in the movie Neighbors. At the time of his death, Aykroyd was writing Ghostbusters with the intention of starring in it with Belushi. John’s role eventually went to Bill Murray.

John Belushi’s Life and Career

John Belushi married Judith Jacklin in 1976 and they stayed together until his death. Judith appeared in two of Belushi’s films and wrote a biography about him in 2005. Belushi struggled with drug use, leading to his firing and rehiring on “Saturday Night Live.” During the filming of “The Blues Brothers,” the budget included cocaine for night shoots, and Belushi was known to indulge excessively, feeling a “superpower” effect.

John Belushi’s Tragic Death

In 1981, Belushi briefly stopped using drugs but relapsed while filming “Neighbors.” On the day before he died, Belushi asked his manager for money, but he was declined due to concerns over drug use. Belushi returned and asked again, and his manager gave him money. The next day, Belushi was found dead in his bungalow. The medical examiner ruled that he died from acute heroin and cocaine poisoning. Catherine Evelyn Smith later admitted to giving Belushi the drugs and was charged with first-degree murder, but the charge was reduced to involuntary manslaughter due to a plea bargain. Belushi’s funeral was traditional Orthodox Christian, and he was buried at Abel’s Hill Cemetery. His tombstone bore the inscription “I may be gone but Rock and Roll lives on” underneath a skull and crossbones. He was later reburied in an unmarked grave due to fans littering the area around his grave.

John Belushi’s Award Nominations and Honors

Belushi was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for “Saturday Night Live,” winning Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series in 1977. He also received nominations for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Variety or Music (1977 and 1978) and Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program (1979).

Posthumously, John shared a TV Land Award nomination for Favorite Elvis Impersonation with Dan Aykroyd in 2007, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.

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