John Belushi Trivia Quiz

Answer: Albanian

His mother Agnes was the daughter of Albanian immigrants. His father Adam was an immigrant himself. John was born on January 24, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois.

Answer: University of Wisconsin-White Water

John had been offered a football scholarship to Western Illinois University, but turned it down because he wanted to study acting. He then decided to apply to Illinois Wesleyan, but was not accepted. John settled on attending the University of Wisconsin-White Water, but only attended for one year, opting to come to home to Chicago and attend junior college; he eventually graduated with an associates degree in general studies.

Answer: Dan Aykroyd

John had originally gotten director John Landis to agree to having Aykroyd play the part, but Aykroyd turned it down because he wanted to write. Bruce McGill ended up with the part and gave a legendary performance.

Answer: Joe Cocker

In being accepted into Second City in 1971, Belushi beat out several friends, with some of whom he had already created his own comedy troupe. He also was known at Second City for his impersonation of Mayor Daley and his rendition of Hamlet. It was at the Toronto Second City troupe, where he met his best friend, Dan Aykroyd.

Answer: "Goin' South" (1978)

This was a minor role in a mediocre (at best), Jack Nicholson western. John played Deputy Hector, one of the deputies after Jack Nicholson's character, Henry Moon. The film centered around Moon, a condemned man, who discovered that he could escape his fate, merely by marrying a resident of a small, post Civil War town. Moon found himself such a woman, but the relationship was tedious at best.

The Sheriff and his men also served to remind him of what awaited him, should he leave his wife. Nicholson also directed the film.

Answer: Belushi and Aykroyd switched roles just prior to filming.

Belushi and Aykroyd decided to swap roles just prior to production. Though the movie was widely considered a flop, the role reversal was a testament to the acting talents of both stars. "Neighbors" (1981) was Belushi's last film. Ironically, John was reported to have gotten into a shouting match with writer Larry Gelbart about Gelbart's excessive drinking.

Answer: Fighter pilot

The role of Wild Bill was originally supposed to be only a bit part. But once Belushi signed on, writer Robert Zemeckis and director Steven Spielberg expanded the part to feature Belushi's talents. Production was also delayed several times due to Belushi not showing up after long nights of binging left him too tired to get up for filming.

Answer: Killer Bees

It was 1976 when John and Dan first teamed up on the air. The Blues Brothers had actually begun as a warm-up act for the show, entertaining the audience while being backed up by the "SNL" house band. The Blues Brothers did not actually make their "SNL" debut on air until 1978.

Answer: "Ghostbusters" (1984) and "Spies Like Us" (1985)

"Ghostbusters" went on to be a blockbuster classic about three failed scientists who become icons and heroes by catching ghosts. The part of Peter Venkman, the eccentric and notoriously lazy scientist, was played by Bill Murray.
As for "Spies Like Us", it was light hearted comedy about two bumbling government employees who were fooled into thinking they were spies, when actually they were bait for the Soviets. Chevy Chase stepped into the part of Emmett Fitz-Hume after John's death. Aykroyd's original choice to replace John was actually Joe Piscopo.

Answer: Martha's Vineyard

John died of an acute drug overdose on March 5, 1982 at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood, CA. "The Vineyard", as it is known to residents and frequent guests, was John's favorite vacation spot. His widow, Judy could not think of a better place. The funeral also included a large motorcycle escort, led by John's best friend Dan Aykroyd and his brother Jim Belushi.