John Belushi
John Belushi was a groundbreaking American comedian and actor known for his intense, charismatic style that emerged during the vibrant era of the 1970s. Short and stout, he presented a stark contrast to the conventional images of comedians of his time, embodying a more aggressive and feral approach to humor. After leaving college, Belushi honed his skills at The Second City improvisational theater before gaining prominence in New York with the National Lampoon's productions. His big break came when he joined the original cast of "Saturday Night Live," where he became a beloved figure through memorable sketches that showcased his unique characters, including the iconic Bluto Blutarski in "National Lampoon's Animal House."
Belushi's on-screen persona and dynamic performances established him as a leading figure in "slob comedy," influencing future generations of comedians. However, his turbulent lifestyle and struggles with substance abuse ultimately led to his tragic death in 1982 from a drug overdose. Despite his relatively short career, Belushi's legacy endures, having paved the way for dark humor and a more irreverent comedic style in popular culture. His impact reflects the complexities of celebrity, highlighting the interplay between comedic genius and personal excess.
On this Page
Subject Terms
John Belushi
- Born: January 24, 1949
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Died: March 5, 1982
- Place of death: Hollywood, California
Identification American comedian and actor
Combining physical grace, well-honed improvisational skills, and a sharp eye for the satiric possibilities inherent in popular culture, Belushi helped define a new style of comedy.
Short and pudgy, John Belushi belied the traditional image of the lovable roly-poly comic. His belligerent stare and menacing bravado marked a new feral style of comedy that was well suited for the anything-goes era of the 1970’s. Belushi displayed his aggressive, charismatic personality at a young age, channeling that energy into success as a high school athlete and amateur rock musician. After dropping out of college, he brought his intensity to the stage as a member of the renowned improvisational company The Second City in 1971. After leaving The Second City, Belushi headed for New York, where he performed in the National Lampoon stage production Lemmings (1973) and became a regular on the Lampoon’s syndicated radio comedy program.
His work in those productions brought him to the attention of Lorne Michaels in 1975. Michaels was casting Saturday Night Live, his experimental new late-night program for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Belushi initially expressed disdain for television, and Michaels was concerned about whether the volatile Belushi could be controlled. However, it was impossible for the producer to ignore the swaggering power of Belushi’s comic repertoire, and he became one of the program’s original Not Ready for Prime Time Players.
Over the next four years, Belushi emerged as a star on the show. Whether parodying characters drawn from popular culture—such as Star Trek’s Captain Kirk, the Godfather, and the Incredible Hulk—or playing his own unique creations—including the Samurai warrior, Jake Blues of the Blues Brothers, or the proprietor of a Greek diner—Belushi had an undeniable comic presence that captivated audiences. He translated that success to the big screen, creating one of the most enduring film characters of that period in Bluto Blutarski, the quintessential slob, in National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978). With this success, Belushi soon left Saturday Night Live to pursue a Hollywood career. Roles in films such as Goin’ South (1978), 1941 (1979), and The Blues Brothers (1980), along with tales of his endless partying on sets and off, cemented his reputation as a hard-living wild man. His death in 1982 sadly reflected this tendency to excess, as he succumbed to a drug overdose in a Hollywood hotel.
Impact
John Belushi’s “gonzo” approach to comedy and his reckless life inspired a generation of comics to push the limits in material and presentation. His average-guy looks combined with his unchecked hedonism helped to create the concept of “slob comedy” in television and films. While this led to a stream of gross-out productions that continued well after his death, Belushi more importantly helped open the door to recognizing the dark humor inherent in the most mundane aspects of contemporary life and popular culture.
Bibliography
Belushi, Judith Jacklin. Samurai Widow. New York: Carroll & Graf, 1990.
Woodward, Bob. Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1985.