Jim Belushi Shares Heartfelt Dreams of His Late Brother John: “He Was Always Kind to Me”
Jim Belushi (left); John Belushi (right).
John Nacion/Variety via Getty; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Jim Belushi Reflects on Connection with Late Brother John
Jim Belushi, actor and comedian, recently shared insights into his enduring connection with his late brother, John Belushi. John, who passed away in 1982 at the age of 33, was a beloved figure in comedy as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live and co-creator of The Blues Brothers.
In an interview with Variety, published on December 11, Jim Belushi, now 71, recounted that he still feels John’s presence decades after his death. “I have dreams once in a while where he and I are acting at Second City,” Jim said, referencing the Chicago comedy theater that helped shape their careers.
He described these vivid dreams as fond recollections of their time together on stage. “We were on stage together, and he was so funny that I cracked up, eating the scene in front of everybody,” he recalled. “I got so mad at him, because that’s the worst thing you can do, is break character, right? But he was just so funny, and he goes, ‘Ah, come on, kid!’ He was sweet to me. So, I still get little visits.”
John was found deceased in his favorite bungalow at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on March 5, 1982. His legacy includes not only classic performances on SNL but also the iconic musical duo The Blues Brothers, formed with Dan Aykroyd. The two released a double-platinum album and starred in the hit film The Blues Brothers in 1980.
During a separate event, Jim fondly remembered a performance where John and Aykroyd opened for Steve Martin at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles in September 1978. “It was magic! And John was so, so magnificent,” he expressed. “I loved that moment, to see my brother just hit the top of his chart.”
Looking back at John’s first on-air performance as part of The Blues Brothers, Jim noted the excitement that filled the studio. “When John and Danny entered that first time, nobody knew what was going to happen,” he said. “That cartwheel, boy, does my brother know how to make an entrance.”
John’s widow, Judy Belushi-Pisano, who passed away in July 2024, once reflected on his character, stating, “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.”
