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Jun 10, 2021 · He originally planned to be a priest. NBC. Given his seemingly natural talent for comedy, it would be easy to assume Aykroyd always planned to become a comedic actor. But he was a young adult ...
- John Belushi
(His fake, then not-so-fake tribute band with Dan Aykroyd...
- John Belushi
Mar 16, 2023 · Advertisement. At 15, Aykroyd landed in trouble when he was arrested for public intoxication. Hoping to rein in his son's behavior, Aykroyd's father put him to work on a survey crew in the Canadian Arctic. The harsh climate and hard work had the desired effect and young Dan Aykroyd returned home with renewed purpose.
- William J. Wright
Feb 10, 2024 · Published February 10, 2024. The new Netflix documentary about the recording of 1985’s “ We Are The World ” brought nostalgia to viewers as well as the backstory behind the presence of legendary actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd. The Greatest Night in Pop featured archival footage and interviews with the performers, including Dan.
- Early Years and Career
- Second City and SNL
- The Blues Brothers
- Film Career
- Career as Director
- Television Career
- Career as Entrepreneur
- Charity Work
- Personal Life
- Awards
Dan Aykroyd was born on Canada Day and comes from a family of notable Canadian lineage. His ancestor Samuel Aykroyd arrived in Canada in the early 1800s and eventually settled near Kingston, Ontario, where he ran a successful slaughterhouse. Dan’s great-grandfather was one of Kingston’s first dentists, and his grandfather was a member of the Royal ...
When Chicago’s Second City comedy troupe launched a Toronto company, Aykroyd immediately auditioned. He became a member of Second City’s inaugural Toronto cast in 1973, alongside such talents as Brian Doyle-Murray, Jayne Eastwoodand Gilda Radner. Aykroyd then moved to Second City’s Chicago company in an exchange program. It was there that he met Jo...
The Blues Brothers also enjoyed a life outside of their SNL skits. Aykroyd and Belushi performed at clubs as the fictional duo, with Aykroyd singing backup and playing harmonica. The Blues Brothers released their first album, Briefcase Full of Blues, in 1978. The album was certified platinumin the United States and yielded the Top 40 hits “Soul Man...
The Blues Brothers was the first in a string of hit comedies Aykroyd starred in during the 1980s. He reteamed with Blues Brothers director John Landis and SNL star Eddie Murphy for the hit comedy Trading Places (1983) and then enjoyed the biggest hit of his career with the sci-fi comedy Ghostbusters (1984), directed by Ivan Reitman. Aykroyd, who co...
Aykroyd made his directorial debut with the comedy Nothing But Trouble (1991), which he co-wrote with his brother Peter. Starring John Candy, Chevy Chase, Demi Moore and Dan Aykroyd (covered in old-age makeup), the movie was a critical and box-office bomb. It made many worst-of-the-year lists and landed Aykroyd a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting A...
In addition to his four seasons on SNL (1975–79), Aykroyd has made many other appearances on television over the years. He hosted the first annual MTV Video Music Awards (1984) and performed as Elwood Blues at the 1997 Super Bowl halftime show. He starred as Crawford Gordon, the president of A.V. Roe Canada Ltd., in the CBC miniseries The Arrow (19...
In addition to his work in film and television, Dan Aykroyd has also enjoyed considerable success as an entrepreneur. He has owned numerous bars and restaurants, including locations in Toronto and Kingston that house much of his personal memorabilia. In 1992, he co-founded House of Blues with John Belushi’s widow Judy Belushi and Isaac Tigrett, fou...
Dan Aykroyd has donated his talents and celebrity to several causes. He often performs for charitable events such as a revival concert in which Elwood and Zee Blues (Jim Belushi) raised funds for Hillels of Georgia, a multicampus culture and lifestyle student organization; the 2005 benefit concert Water Aid for families in the Kingston area; and se...
Aykroyd was born with syndactylism, a birth defect resulting in webbed toes, and with heterochromia iridum, resulting in one blue eye and one green eye. He was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age 12 and Asperger syndrome in the early 1980s, after his wife encouraged him to see a specialist. He attributes his lifelong fixation with ghosts and ...
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series (Saturday Night Live), Emmy Awards (1977)Honorary Doctorate, Carleton University(1994)Member, Order of Canada(1998)Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)Nov 19, 2023 · Aykroyd first gained fame on Saturday Night Live as an original cast member. He went on to become one of the biggest comedy stars of the 1980s and beyond thanks to beloved films like The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters. From Improv Comedy to SNL Star. Dan Aykroyd was born on July 1st, 1952 in Ottawa, Ontario.
- 71
- July 1, 1952
- Cancer
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Jun 23, 2024 · From left, Chevy Chase, Lorne Michael, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and President Gerald Ford, in 1976. Ricardo Thomas Despite their lack of musical aptitude, a few weeks after their debut on television the duo had even built a crazy story about the legend of the Blues Brothers: they were two orphans on a “mission from God” who sought to form a band to raise $5,000 to save an orphanage.
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Dan Aykroyd is a co-founder of the popular "House of Blues" music venue chain, known for its eclectic mix of live music and Southern-inspired cuisine. Aykroyd is a licensed distiller and the creator of the award-winning Crystal Head Vodka, which comes in a distinctive skull-shaped bottle.
