If you have to rank the legends of American comedy, no discussion can go forward without the great John Belushi at the top. A notorious wildman known for his SNL days, but also roles like “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” “The Blues Brothers” and more, Belushi’s life and comedy career were cut short in 1982 at the age of 33 due to a tragic drug and alcohol intoxication. But the impact he made in a short time still consumes us.
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One person fixated on Belushi is director R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue“) who has directed “Belushi,” a new candid portrait of this beloved American icon and comedian for Showtime, featuring the use of previously unheard audiotapes.
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While it didn’t get to screen much, thanks to the pandemic, “Belushi” was actually an official selection title at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, and the 2020 Chicago International Film Festival. Belushi was beloved and the doc features friends, family and collaborators like Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Penny Marshall, Lorne Michaels, Carrie Fisher, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Jane Curtin, Ivan Reitman, and many more. Here’s the official long-form synopsis:
A feature documentary from award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler about the too-short life of John Belushi, the once-in-a-generation talent who captured the hearts and funny-bones of audiences worldwide. Told using previously unheard audiotapes, this film examines Belushi’s extraordinary life in the words of his collaborators, friends, and family, including Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Penny Marshall, Lorne Michaels, Carrie Fisher, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Jane Curtin, Ivan Reitman and his high school sweetheart and later wife Judy Belushi. From his early years growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, John Belushi showed an extraordinary talent for comedy and music. It was a visit to the Second City theater in Chicago where he discovered his true calling, and from that moment John became an unstoppable and pioneering force in the comedy world. From National Lampoon’s Lemmings and Radio Hour to one of the founding cast members on Saturday Night Live, his insatiable drive kept the candle burning at both ends. John simultaneously appeared on SNL each Saturday night while filming Animal House and forming a band, The Blues Brothers. The result: By age thirty Belushi was on the #1 television show, had the #1 comedy in movie history and the #1 record album in the world. But as John’s fame grew, so did his demons, and not even Judy could save him from the drug use that would eventually take his life. This film captures the complicated and singular essence of a beloved American icon who changed culture and comedy forever.
“Belushi” premieres on Showtime on November 22. Watch the first trailer below.