His End Was Shocking
John Belushi was more than one of Saturday Night Live’s first cast members, breakout stars, and hottest mess. He was the show's first and biggest tragedy. But the scandals didn’t end with Belushi’s unexpected end. From murder trials to heinous accusations, that was only the beginning.
1. He Came From A Humble Background
Belushi’s teenage experience seemed straight out of a movie. He was football captain, homecoming king, highschool sweetheart, and even the frontman of a band. Not bad for the son of Albanian immigrants turned pharmacy worker and restaurant owner.
Belushi left Wheaton, Illinois seeking the same thing that brought his parents here: His own American dream.
2. He Warned His Girlfriend
After high school, John Belushi did something very strange: He recommended that Judith Jacklin, his high school sweetheart, dump him. He gave her the truth, and a way out. He confessed, “I want to be an actor and I'll probably never make any money,” flat-out telling her that she would have to be the provider if she married him.
Belushi had doubts about his career, but believe it or not, Jacklin never did. She stuck by her man—but neither of them had any clue what they were in for.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
3. He Started From The Bottom
Belushi may have started from the bottom, but boy could he climb. He dropped out of college, moved to Chicago, and co-founded the West Compass Trio. The comedy group's success landed him in The Second City. Working with the legendary comedy club led to National Lampoon stage and radio gigs in New York City.
Oh, and his soulmate—and we're not talking about Jacklin.
4. He Met His Soulmate
When Belushi and Dan Aykroyd crossed paths at The Second City, the entertainment world was never the same. They were a match made in comedy heaven. Even after leaving the club, their lives and careers remained intertwined.
The legendary partnership of Belushi and Aykroyd wasn’t over yet. It was set for triumph—and tragedy.
Richard E. Aaron, Getty Images
5. He Got His Big Break
In 1975, Chevy Chase and writer Michael O’Donoghue recommended Belushi to Lorne Michaels, who was putting together a new comedy show. But the Saturday Night Live boss had doubts about the 27-year-old and his physical comedy style. However, these doubts vanished when he saw Belushi in action.
Michaels invited Belushi, who was reluctant at first, to be part of the show’s original cast. Belushi’s life—and television—would never be the same.
Library of Congress Life, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
6. He Had A Rival
Sparks flew when Belushi and Aykroyd reunited on SNL. But Belushi and Chase? Not so much. Jealousy, specifically Belushi’s, was to blame. Chase became an overnight sensation, SNL’s first breakout star—and an unbearable attention hog. Chase had everything that Belushi wanted and didn’t have.
Belushi needed to lock in—and boy did he.
Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7. He Became An Icon
It didn’t take long for Belushi to rival Chase in popularity. He developed some of SNL’s most iconic characters and skits, including his Henry Kissinger imitation and Samurai character. Belushi and Aykroyd also created the band the Blues Brothers just to warm up the audience, but then even they became a hit.
They turned the Blues Brothers into an actual band and musical guests for the show. But while things were going well, there was serious darkness behind the scenes.
National Archives and Records Administration, Wikimedia Commons
8. He Was Ridiculed
According to his wife Judith, the darkness in John Belushi was there from the beginning. When the show and the cast were new, some cast members targeted Belushi, the easiest victim. He was from the midwest. His parents were Albanian immigrants. He was overweight. He was a college dropout. He was a nobody at that point.
Belushi could have broken the cycle when he became somebody. But he didn’t. And his partying definitely didn't help matters...
9. He Was Injured
By the second season, Belushi was already “binging day and night”. And that’s before the final blow came in 1977: After a brutal knee injury, doctors gave him a generous prescription for powerful and addictive painkillers. Today, in the opioid crisis, stories like this are dime-a-dozen—but few people realize that Belushi was one of its earliest victims.
Jim Belushi was just 28 years old, and those painkillers would haunt him until the end of his life.
10. He Was In Too Deep
You know it’s bad when people on SNL in the 70s are worried. “Where’s John?” became a common question on set. Belushi was often late, or didn't bother to show up at all. Some cast members even accused him of pocketing their personal supplies for Lord knows what reason.
Resentment festered on set. And that's before Belushi crossed another line. A white and powdery one.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
11. He Went Too Far
It got so bad that Belushi even "went skiing" during a live sketch. SNL head writer Michael O'Donoghue revealed “He had a big fat line, and there was that tight shot of him doing it”. The cameras caught him right in the act. The SNL boss may have started off lenient, but it didn’t last.
When Michaels put his foot down, Belushi was the first cast member that he stomped on.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
12. He Was Fired
Belushi was in a messy on-and-off relationship, but it wasn’t with Judith. Against the odds, they were still going strong. It was with SNL. Belushi and the rest of the show clashed over everything from his creative choices to his addiction. Michaels would fire Belushi, rehire him, and repeat the cycle.
One thing was clear: Belushi was a mess, but he was a talented and indispensable one. But this couldn’t go on forever.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
13. He Called It Quits
After four years and multiple dismissals, this time it was Belushi who decided to quit SNL. For many, the decision was baffling: He could’ve continued coasting on the show's popularity. His brother Jim, who’d join the cast in a few years, demanded to know why.
Belushi replied: “It’s like high school: Senior year, you’ve got to move on”. The show knew about Belushi’s exit, but he still managed to give them a nasty surprise.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
14. He Blindsided SNL
Belushi pulled a fast one on SNL. The show didn’t know that Aykroyd was going with him. Some felt like Belushi lured him away. But this move was only about the drama, if at all. SNL's demanding schedule tied the cast down and often clashed with other opportunities. Belushi and Aykroyd set themselves free. The world was theirs.
But maybe a little structure had been good for them...
Bernard Gotfryd, Wikimedia Commons
15. He Became A Star
Most agree that Belushi’s best films are Animal House (1978) and The Blues Brothers (1980). Animal House is one of the most profitable movies ever, but it was more than that: critics also viewed it as one of the greatest comedies of all time.
The Blues Brothers, made with Aykroyd, also became a cult classic, and their band even made a number one album. But as Belushi’s success grew—so did his addiction.
Universal, National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
16. His Set Was A Mess
The Blues Brothers behind the scenes antics became infamous. Production even set aside a budget to supply white powder for the cast and crew. On night shoots, skiing was as normal as coffee. Aykroyd confessed, “Everyone did it, including me. Never to excess, and not ever to where I wanted to buy it or have it”.
He couldn’t say the same for Belushi.
Universal, The Blues Brothers (1980)
17. He Went Missing
Belushi’s habit of wandering off set got ridiculous. One day, Aykroyd couldn't find him anywhere, so he expanded his search to a nearby neighborhood and knocked on a house. When the door opened, Aykroyd said "Excuse me, we’re shooting a movie and missing one of our actors”.
The owner replied “Oh, Belushi? He came in about an hour ago, raided my fridge and crashed on my couch”.
18. He Was Confronted
Director John Landis could only tolerate so much before he snapped. His breaking point was finding a mountain of “snow” in Belushi’s trailer. He confronted his star: “John, you’re killing yourself. Do not do this to my movie. Do not do this to me. Don’t do this to Judy. Don’t do it to yourself”.
But Landis was just getting started.
Pietro Luca Cassarino, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
19. He Was In A Brawl
Landis flushed the mountain, reportedly around $100,000 worth of snow, down the toilet. Belushi and Landis then fought like wrestlers—until the director burst into their tears. Their grapple turned into an embrace. Belushi also started crying, and came clean about his addiction. But acceptance wasn’t enough.
They had to take extreme measures—if for a depressing reason.
Universal, National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
20. He Was Exploited
Belushi loved going to bars, but they were full of people who were all but throwing substances at him. They wanted to brag about getting loaded with a celebrity. So the producers hired Smokey Wendell.
Wendell was a former Secret Service agent-turned superstar bodyguard for celebrities. And John Belushi was the client—and challenge—of a lifetime.
Universal, National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
21. He Was Controlled
Wendell used to guard President Nixon and rockstars…but those gigs paled in comparison to chasing Belushi 24 hours a day. Every day. The job broke him physically and mentally. He resigned around a year later. It was a miracle that The Blues Brothers even hit theaters, much less becoming a hit.
But not everything Belushi touched turned into gold.
Universal, The Blues Brothers (1980)
22. He Was Shady
1941 (1979) should’ve been a slam dunk hit. It had Steven Spielberg behind the camera and a star studded cast in front of it. Instead, the film became a commercial and critical flop, widely considered Spielberg’s worst movie.
Belushi couldn’t help but find the ordeal hilarious. Rumor has it he even wore a shirt that said “Steven Spielberg 1946-1941”.
23. He Got Sober
In between the filming of Continental Divide (1981) and Neighbors (1981), Belushi was actually sober. He lived with Judith on Martha’s Vineyard—but this didn’t last long. When Belushi relapsed on Neighbors, he relapsed hard. Being away from his wife and checking into the infamous Chateau Marmont didn’t help.
This was truly the beginning of the end.
Universal, Continental Divide (1981)
24. He Relapsed
February 27 to March 4, 1982 was Belushi’s final week. He spent it partying and club hopping around Hollywood. His Chateau Marmont became the after party spot. Meanwhile, Judith remained at their New York home and barely heard from him. Belushi, until the end, remained optimistic about reinventing his career and the projects he had lined up.
25. He Needed Money
On March 4, 1982, Belushi showed up to his manager's office begging for $1,500. Belushi swore he just wanted to buy a guitar. Bernie Brillstein suspected, or knew, he was lying. That there was no guitar—only an expensive addiction.
Brillstein refused, and even told his client why. But Belushi was desperate. He wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Universal, The Blues Brothers (1980)
26. He Was Desperate
Belushi paid Brillstein another visit on that same day. His manager was in a meeting, which changed everything. Brillstein didn't want to rebuke Belushi in front of others. It'd be awkward for everyone. So he gave in and gave Belushi the money. Brillstein could only hope that he was wrong. But he wasn’t—and this decision would haunt him forever.
27. He Had A Sketchy Friend
That same day, Belushi also contacted and invited Cathy Smith over. It was the biggest mistake of his life. Smith was more than Belushi’s dealer. She also personally injected the needle-phobic star. Soon after, Robert De Niro and Harry Dean Stanton stopped by the bungalow to invite Belushi out.
Instead, they found the room trashed—with Belushi and Smith just as trashed.
28. His Friends Had No Idea
Belushi and Smith were so messed up, De Niro and Stanton felt uncomfortable and left. Next, Robin Williams dropped by, and he couldn’t resist doing some lines with Belushi and Smith. But like the others, he soon felt uneasy. He quickly left them to their own devices.
None of Belushi’s friends had any idea that this was goodbye.
29. He Saw One Final Person
Nothing could stop Belushi and Smith’s binge. Not invitations out, concerned friends, or even pain. They kept going even after Belushi complained about feeling ill and congested. He eventually fell asleep. The next morning, Smith checked on him and left. March 5, 1982 at around 10 AM was the last time anyone saw Belushi alive.
30. He Was Discovered
Bill Wallace, Belushi’s trainer and sometimes bodyguard, dropped by in the afternoon. He only planned to drop off some stuff Belushi wanted yesterday. Wallace found Belushi’s lifeless body alone. They confirmed he passed from an overdose of the multiple substances in his system. The amount would’ve ended anyone. Belushi was 33.
Universal, National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
31. His End Was Ironic
In an instant, SNL’s “Don’t Look Back” sketch became infamous, tragic, and ironic. Belushi played an older version of himself who’s the last survivor of the cast. He visits their graves and roasts them. His character closes with "The Saturday Night show was the best experience of my life. And now they're all gone. I'll miss every one of them”.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
32. His Dealer Confessed
If anyone else was to blame for Belushi's end, it was Cathy Smith. She probably could’ve gotten away with it, but she couldn’t resist when tabloids offered to pay her for interviews. Smith talked to multiple journalists about how she supplied the substances and injected them to Belushi on that night.
Smith shrugged it off “It was just the Hollywood scene, really, nothing out of the ordinary”.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
33. His Dealer Got In Trouble
Smith’s press tour caught up to her. The authorities extradited her from Canada and charged her with second degree murder. She was in for a long, messy, and expensive fight. Four years later, she pled guilty to lower charges of involuntary manslaughter, and three counts of administering controlled substances.
She eventually got 15 months behind bars for her role in John Belushi's end.
Universal, National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
34. He Became A Legend
Belushi’s fame and fanbase exploded after his passing. The consequences were grave. Literally. His tombstone had the inscription "I may be gone but Rock and Roll lives on”, which some fans took too literally. Belushi's gravesite became a tourist attraction. Many visitors were noisy, destructive, and annoying.
That was already bad enough. But what they did next was so much worse.
35. He Was Disrespected
Some fans paid their respects in the most disrespectful way. Everyone knew addiction ended Belushi’s life. Yet they littered his gravesite with bottles and paraphernalia. Jacklin made a heartbreaking decision in response. She had her husband’s body dug up and transferred to a secret spot. But peace was still out of reach for the Belushis.
36. He Was Memorialized
Judith and Brillstein wanted to end the nonstop gossip. They turned to Bob Woodward, an acquaintance and the journalist who broke Watergate, to write a book about Belushi. Many of his friends, family, and colleagues were eager to participate. They wanted to clear the air, and clear Belushi’s name.
But everyone regretted their participation the moment Wired came out in 1984.
Exchanges Photos, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
37. He Was Slandered
Wired only added more fuel to the fire, as Woodward showed Belushi no mercy. The star’s loved ones didn’t even recognize the man Woodward wrote about. They declared that his portrayal was exaggerated, negative, and one-sided. And perhaps worst of all, Woodward downplayed Belushi’s talents.
They couldn’t stay silent. Especially not his wife and his best friend.
FM Entertainment, Wired (1989)
38. He Was Defended
Wired was even adapted in a 1989 film—about which Dan Aykroyd didn’t hold back: "I have witches working now to jinx the thing... I hope it never gets seen and I am going to hurl all the negative energy I can” at them. It worked: the film flopped in every way.
A year later, Judith published her memoir Samurai Widow in response to Woodward. But they weren’t done yet.
39. Aykroyd Defended His Honor
Dan Aykroyd held onto his grief and grudges. While filming Loose Cannons (1990), he made a horrible discovery. One of the actors, JT Walsh, had worked on Wired. Worst of all, filming already began. But Aykroyd still forced Walsh out of the movie. It led to a $125,000 production delay. But defending Belushi’s honor was priceless.
Cindy Welch, Wikimedia Commons
40. He Had Big Fans
Never meet your idols, and never follow in their footsteps. No one proved this more than Chris Farley. He worked at Second City Chicago. He became a beloved SNL cast member. He had a physical comedy style. He even wore Belushi’s costumes. He explicitly said he wanted to be like John Belushi.
This was all fine, if maybe a little creepy—until Farley also developed an addiction. That got worse and worse. Oh no.
41. He Was Inspiring
John Belushi's brother Jim begged Farley: "You got to stop chasing him, Chris. He's gone…you can’t follow him with the drugs to find out who he was”. Jim knew what he was talking about. He wasn't just Belushi’s brother, but also a former SNL cast member and a recovering addict.
But he wasn't the only one who was worried about the way Farley was taking after Belushi.
COD Newsroom, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
42. He Was Idolized
Soon Adam Sandler, another SNL cast member, joined in to try and help Chris Farley. He warned his friend that he would end up just like Belushi if he didn't clean up his act. Farley replied that he was all right with that. This exchange wasn’t just heartbreaking. It was prophetic.
43. He Had A Doppelganger
In 1997, the prophecy came true, and Farley met his end in almost the exact same way as Belushi—they were even both 33 years old. Farley completed his life’s mission to be like his hero. But it gets even more eerie.
There have been multiple attempts to adapt the satirical novel The Incomparable Atuk into a film, and at the time of their deaths, both Belushi and Farley had expressed interest in starring as Atuk. But this conspiracy goes beyond these two.
44. He Was Cursed
Once is a tragedy, twice is a coincidence, and thrice is suspicious. Any more sets off alarm bells. And that’s what Atuk did. Quite a few people involved or interested in adapting The Incomparable Atuk into film had premature ends. The list includes Belushi, Farley, Phil Hartman, Michael O’Donoghue, Sam Kinison, and John Candy.
Maybe it was a supernatural conspiracy, or maybe show biz is just cruel.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
45. He Was Problematic
Jane Curtin, a fellow cast member, revealed that Belushi was a massive misogynist. Who believed women weren’t funny. Who hated acting in sketches with or written by women. Who went out of his way to sabotage female writers and comedians. They hid this for decades.
At the same time, the show struggled with another, even more destructive secret.
Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
46. His Wife Defended Him
When asked about Belushi’s misogyny allegations, Judith declared “John actually was a woman’s libber before I was”. Though she confessed he still “had that systemic sexism. But he was aware of a lot of that and consciously tried to work around it”.
Judith wanted people to know that “John wasn't perfect, but he was a full human being—caring and adventurous and kind. And he not only made people laugh, he made them feel”.
47. His Workplace Was Unhealthy
The original cast and crew are infamous for skiing—and I don’t mean the winter sport. Show business is already notorious for this vice, but SNL took it to a whole new level. They worked crazy hours under crazy pressure. The substance use was rampant, but also therapeutic. Some cast members couldn’t have done the show without them.
At first, Michaels thought the show’s chill stance on it was the right thing. That is, until it destroyed Belushi.
Universal, The Blues Brothers (1980)
48. He Became A Cautionary Tale
John Belushi might’ve been the first SNL star to struggle with addiction, but he was far from the last. Many of his successors, right up to names like Pete Davidson and John Mulaney, also struggled with it. Lorne Michaels was around the whole time—but you never forget your first.
Mulaney revealed the SNL boss brought up Belushi during an intervention: "I knew John Belushi for seven years. I've been talking about him for 48 years, because that's the shrapnel that happens when someone goes down like that".
Universal, Continental Divide (1981)
49. He Embodied SNL
In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked all 141 SNL cast members. The list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood. The competition was fierce, but Belushi came out on top. The magazine declared that “Belushi was the ‘live’ in Saturday Night Live. The one who made the show happen on the edge… Nobody embodied the highs and lows of Saturday Night Live like Belushi”.
NBC, Saturday Night Live 1975-
50. He’s Honored
SNL made this clear during their 50th anniversary special. The show has seen countless even bigger stars walk through its halls, and many were even in attendance during this taping. SNL had to decide which clips and cast members would be featured, and they had their work cut out for them.
But John Belushi's work still made the cut 46 years later. His life and career may have been short-lived, but he will be long-remembered.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,36, 37, 38
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