Universal Studios
Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in 1980's "The Blues Brothers."
By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Thirty years ago, on March 5, 1982, comic John Belushi was found dead in the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. His death would spark months of tabloid headlines and?introduce many to the word "speedball," meaning a combination of cocaine and heroin. Catherine Evelyn Smith, the?woman who was with him that night and injected the drugs that led to his death,?would serve prison time for involuntary manslaughter.
In later years, Chris Farley would be?compared to the comic, and?Farley's 1997 death also came far too early. And there will always be actors, especially comedians, who push things so far?both onstage and in their lives that they become famous verging on infamous for life on the edge. But few can outshine Belushi's legacy as the hard-partying comedian whose light burned bright and fast and then was snuffed?out.
First-ever 'SNL' skit
Fittingly, Belushi starred in the very first sketch ever shown on "Saturday Night Live" when the show debuted in 1975, playing a student learning English who copies not just his language teacher's words, but mimics his heart attack as well. He'd go on to play the famed Samurai, the "cheeseburger, cheeseburger!" cook, a Conehead, Widette, Joe Cocker?and more, but here's where it all began.
?
'Animal House' zit scene
One of Belushi's best-known roles was that of Bluto in 1978's "Animal House." Bluto held nothing back, had a GPA of 0.0, and would eventually become a U.S. Senator. He stole the film whenever he was on screen, but the pure gross-out value of the "I'm a zit!" scene is unforgettable.
?
'Blues Brothers' performing 'Soul Man'
Sure, there's Bluto in a mustard-smeared toga, or the Samurai raising his katana, but the most iconic image of Belushi may be?of him wearing?sunglasses and a dark suit, arm slung over the shoulder of co-star Dan Aykroyd, in "The Blues Brothers." Whether?you prefer the film or the many songs the duo performed as Jake and Elwood, the whole concept?is a classic. Here they are performing "Soul Man" on "SNL."
How do you best remember Belushi? What was his best role? Tell us on Facebook.?
What was John Belushi's best role?
Related content:
| Jake in 'The Blues Brothers' | ? 40.3% (5,866 votes) |
| Bluto in 'Animal House' | ? 33.1% (4,812 votes) |
| Joe Cocker impersonation on 'SNL' | ? 10.9% (1,590 votes) |
| 'SNL' Samurai | ? 5.5% (802 votes) |
| Ernie in 'Continental Divide' | ? 3.8% (549 votes) |
| 'SNL' 'cheeseburger, cheeseburger' cook | ? 3.5% (516 votes) |
| Earl in 'Neighbors' | ? 1.6% (227 votes) |
| Other | ? 1.1% (155 votes) |
| Ron Decline in 'The Rutles' | ? 0.3% (39 votes) |
m.i.a. stoudemire adrianne curry fiona apple hoekstra blake shelton adam levine
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.