Dan Aykroyd | Vibepedia
Dan Aykroyd is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and musician who rose to fame as one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live before becoming a…
Contents
Overview
Dan Aykroyd began his comedy career at just 17 years old in Toronto, working with Lorne Michaels on the sketch show The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour.[2][3] In 1973, he joined The Second City's Toronto cast, where he met fellow comedian John Belushi—a partnership that would define much of his early career.[2][3] When Saturday Night Live premiered in 1975, Aykroyd was originally hired as a writer at $278 per week but quickly became part of the cast, joining the legendary "Not Ready for Prime Time Players."[1][3] As the youngest cast member, he earned an Emmy Award for writing in 1977 and received nominations for both acting and writing in 1978.[3] His impersonation abilities and character work made him a standout performer, and Rolling Stone's 2015 comprehensive ranking of all 141 SNL cast members placed him fifth.[3]
🎸 The Blues Brothers Era
After leaving SNL in 1979, Aykroyd launched his film career with a remarkable run alongside John Belushi, starring in three consecutive films: 1941 (1979), The Blues Brothers (1980), and Neighbors (1981).[2][3] The Blues Brothers became the biggest hit of the trio, earning over $115 million on a $30 million budget.[3] The film was backed by experienced R&B musicians including lead guitarist Steve Cropper, saxophonist Lou Marini, trumpeter Alan Rubin, and bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, proving the project was far more than an SNL novelty.[1] The Blues Brothers released the album Briefcase Full of Blues, which sold 3.5 million copies and became one of the highest-selling blues albums of all time.[1] The iconic characters spawned an actual touring band that continued performing for decades.[3]
👻 Ghostbusters & Hollywood Success
Aykroyd's biggest breakthrough came in 1984 with Ghostbusters, which he co-wrote with Harold Ramis and starred in alongside Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver.[2][3] Inspired by his own lifelong fascination with the paranormal—including his study of real-life ghost hunter Hans Holzer—Aykroyd created a supernatural comedy about a ghost-catching business in New York that became a cultural phenomenon.[2][4] The film was a massive commercial success, earning nearly $300 million on a $30 million budget and spawning a multi-billion-dollar franchise.[1][2] A sequel, Ghostbusters II, was released in 1989 and earned $215 million, though Aykroyd and the other creators were initially reluctant to make it.[1] His performance in the 1989 drama Driving Miss Daisy earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making him the fourth SNL cast member to receive an Oscar nomination.[1] Throughout the 1980s, Aykroyd also co-wrote and starred in other successful films including Trading Places (1983) with Eddie Murphy, Spies Like Us (1985), and Dragnet (1987).[2]
🥃 Later Career & Ventures
Beyond acting and writing, Aykroyd has established himself as a multi-hyphenate entertainer and entrepreneur. He has appeared in numerous films including My Girl, Coneheads, Tommy Boy, and Pearl Harbor, demonstrating his versatility across genres.[3] In 2007, Aykroyd and artist John Alexander launched Crystal Head Vodka, which is now sold in more than 55 countries worldwide, showcasing his business acumen.[3] Throughout his career, Aykroyd has been open about having mild Tourette's syndrome and high-functioning Asperger's, crediting therapy for easing his Tourette's symptoms by his mid-teens and channeling his Asperger's into his creative work.[4] His obsessive tendencies—particularly his fascination with ghosts and law enforcement—directly influenced his most iconic creative achievements, demonstrating how neurodiversity shaped his artistic vision.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1952–present
- Origin
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Category
- culture
- Type
- person
Frequently Asked Questions
What made Dan Aykroyd famous?
Aykroyd gained initial fame as one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on Saturday Night Live (1975–1979), where he was known for his impersonations and character work. He became a major star through his film roles, particularly Ghostbusters (1984), which he co-wrote and starred in. The film earned nearly $300 million and became a cultural phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar franchise.
What is the connection between Dan Aykroyd and The Blues Brothers?
Aykroyd starred in and helped create The Blues Brothers with John Belushi, both on SNL and in the 1980 film. The Blues Brothers was far more than a comedy sketch—it featured professional R&B musicians and spawned an actual touring band. Their album Briefcase Full of Blues sold 3.5 million copies and became one of the highest-selling blues albums of all time.
Did Dan Aykroyd write Ghostbusters?
Yes, Aykroyd co-wrote Ghostbusters with Harold Ramis and also starred in it alongside Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver. The film was inspired by Aykroyd's lifelong fascination with the paranormal, including his study of real-life ghost hunter Hans Holzer. His personal obsession with ghosts directly led to the creation of one of cinema's most iconic films.
What neurodivergent conditions does Dan Aykroyd have?
Aykroyd has publicly acknowledged having mild Tourette's syndrome and high-functioning Asperger's. He has spoken about how therapy helped ease his Tourette's symptoms by his mid-teens and how he learned to channel his Asperger's into creativity for his acting and singing career. His symptoms include an obsession with ghosts and law enforcement, which directly influenced his creative work, particularly Ghostbusters.
What is Crystal Head Vodka?
Crystal Head Vodka is a premium vodka brand co-founded by Dan Aykroyd and artist John Alexander in 2007. The brand is known for its distinctive skull-shaped bottle and is sold in more than 55 countries worldwide, demonstrating Aykroyd's success as an entrepreneur beyond entertainment.