Dan Aykroyd
“Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, and the blueprints he still keeps.”
In 1975, Aykroyd became one of the original 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players' on the debut season of Saturday Night Live. The sketch show made him a star and birthed characters and ideas he later turned into hit movies. It launched a Hollywood career spanning four decades.
Ottawa Roots
Born in Ottawa in 1952, Dan Aykroyd grew up in a family interested in spiritualism. He honed his improv skills with Toronto's Second City troupe before heading to American television.
SNL and the Movies
As an original Saturday Night Live cast member from 1975, he created beloved characters alongside John Belushi. He spun several into films, most notably The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters.
Beyond the Screen
Aykroyd proved his dramatic range with an Oscar-nominated turn in Driving Miss Daisy. Off-screen he co-founded the House of Blues clubs and the Crystal Head Vodka brand.
Career Timeline
- 1952Born in Ottawa.
- 1975Saturday Night Live.
- 1980The Blues Brothers.
- 1984Ghostbusters.
- 1989Driving Miss Daisy. Oscar nomination.
Biggest Hits
- Aykroyd conceived the original Ghostbusters story, inspired by his real lifelong fascination with the paranormal and spiritualism.
- He was ordained to officiate, and a longtime member, of the Spiritualist movement tied to his family's interest in the supernatural.
Portrait: Rnunezart · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons