Dan Aykroyd
Who was Dan Aykroyd?
Canadian-American comedian and actor who rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and starred in Ghostbusters and The Blues Brothers.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Dan Aykroyd (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Daniel Edward Aykroyd was born on July 1, 1952, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He went to several schools, including St. Pius X High School, St. Patrick's High School, and Lisgar Collegiate Institute, before attending Carleton University. His early interest in comedy and performing eventually led him to become one of North America's best-known entertainers.
Aykroyd became well-known as an original cast member on Saturday Night Live when it started in 1975. As part of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players," he helped lay down the show's comedic foundation and created several memorable characters, such as the Coneheads and Blues Brothers. His skills in writing and performing earned him five Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. He stayed with SNL until 1979, when he left to focus on movies.
Switching to films worked out well for Aykroyd. He co-starred in The Blues Brothers (1980) as Elwood J. Blues alongside John Belushi and returned to the role in Blues Brothers 2000 (1998). His role as Dr. Raymond Stantz in Ghostbusters (1984) became one of his most famous, leading to a sequel in 1989 and ongoing involvement with the series. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in many comedies, including Trading Places (1983), Spies Like Us (1985), The Great Outdoors (1988), and Coneheads (1993).
Showing his ability to handle more than just comedy, Aykroyd received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Driving Miss Daisy (1989). He continued taking on both comedic and dramatic roles in movies like Chaplin (1992), Tommy Boy (1995), Pearl Harbor (2001), and 50 First Dates (2004). Beyond acting, Aykroyd has worked as a producer, director, and screenwriter. He also made a name for himself in business, co-founding the House of Blues entertainment venues and creating Crystal Head Vodka. His wide-ranging interests also include ufology, and he is open about his beliefs in extraterrestrial phenomena. Married to actress Donna Dixon, Aykroyd was honored as a Member of the Order of Canada and received many other awards throughout his career.
Before Fame
Growing up in Ottawa during the 1960s, Aykroyd was influenced by both Canadian and American cultures, which helped shape his comedic style. His father was a civil engineer and policy advisor, and Aykroyd's interest in the paranormal started early, thanks to his family's spiritualist beliefs. While at Carleton University, he got involved in local comedy and music.
The comedy boom of the 1970s in North America opened doors for young performers like Aykroyd. With the launch of Saturday Night Live in 1975, TV was looking for new and edgy content to attract younger viewers. Aykroyd's mix of improvisation, character work, and writing made him a perfect fit for the show, which changed late-night TV.
Key Achievements
- Original cast member and Emmy-winning writer for Saturday Night Live (1975-1979)
- Co-created and starred in The Blues Brothers franchise, generating over $115 million worldwide
- Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
- Co-founded House of Blues entertainment chain and Crystal Head Vodka brand
- Member of the Order of Canada and Canada's Walk of Fame inductee
Did You Know?
- 01.He owns a police scanner and often listened to emergency calls, which influenced his interest in law enforcement roles like Dragnet
- 02.The Crystal Head Vodka bottles are designed based on the legend of the 13 crystal skulls, reflecting his lifelong interest in the paranormal
- 03.He was originally supposed to play the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters but the role went to special effects instead
- 04.His great-grandfather was a psychic investigator, which contributed to his interest in supernatural phenomena
- 05.He once owned a bar called the Loose Moose in Toronto before achieving fame on Saturday Night Live
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Member of the Order of Canada | — | — |
| Primetime Emmy Award | — | — |
| Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series | 1977 | — |
| Canada's Walk of Fame | 2002 | — |
| Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award | 1989 | — |
| Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award | 1992 | — |
| Great Immigrants Award | 2007 | — |