- A hyperactive youngster, he was administered belt whippings by his parents in a futile attempt to ween him from mischief, and at fourteen he had to be bailed out by his father after being arrested for drunkenness in Messina, New York.
- A left handed.
- At Carleton University, he was active in the college's Sock and Buskin Drama Guild, and he also played the harmonica (a skill he acquired during his summer in the Northwest Territories) in several bands.
- Aykroyd, who first achieved stardom as a gifted mimic and impersonator in the original crew of television's Saturday Night Live, has gone on from there to become one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, with twenty-four films to his credit since 1979.
- In looking back on his high school and college years during an interview with Patricia Goldstone of Maclean's (March 24, 1980), Aykroyd admitted that he was a loudmouthed, flagrant fool, though he also developed a strong work ethic during his teen years through a succession of summer jobs.
- On one such trip, Aykroyd, a longtime fan of the blues, introduced John Belushi to that style of music, and the two developed the semi-facetious act known as The Blues Brothers, in which they donned sunglasses and dark suits, ties, hats, and shoes (reminiscent of the manner in which blues musicians of the late 1940s dressed) and sang rhythm-and-blues songs, with Aykroyd also playing the harmonica.
- Roman Catholic of English and French extraction. On his father's side, he can trace his ancestry to the 15th century.
- Quits the movie industry. Aykroyd has already moved out of Hollywood, and now vows to make one last film before he retires.
- Worked as a mail sorter for Canada's national postal service before he became an actor.
- He quotes from the book of revelations during the final shootout. He has a similar diatribe in GHOSTBUSTERS (1984).
- John Belushi was originally cast in the role of Vic and Aykroyd in the role of Earl in NEIGHBOR (1981). The two decided to switch roles just prior to filming the movie.
- On the set of GHOSTBUSTERS (1984), he referred to the Slimer ghost as the ghost of John Belushi.
- During the lengthy shooting of EVOLUTION (2001) in Page, Arizona, he entertained the local folk by carding guests at a bar, unofficially greeting people at Wal-Mart, and visiting locals for a cup of coffee in their homes.
- Wrote a third Ghostbusters film (with Harold Ramis).
- One of his best friends was the late John Belushi.
- Loves the blues. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, 'House Of Blue.' Of course, it is Elwood Blues we hear, not Mr. Aykroyd.
- Play the horn. Look in the horn section of B.B. King's music video for In The Midnight Hour.
- Has a fixation with the supernatural. He collects books and studies the topic.
- A police buff, he rides an Ontario Provincial Police motercycle, collects police badges, sometimes rides shotgun with detectives in squad cars, and owns in partnership with several Toronto police officers.
- His grandfather was a Mountie.
- Is a victim of syndactylism, a birth defect where several digits are fused together. In the film Mr. Mike's Mondo Video (1979), he takes his shoes & socks off on-screen, to reveal this anomaly.
- Co-owns House of Blues with friend Isaac Tigrett.
- On his passport, he lists his occupation as Writer.
- Has played harmonica since he was 17 years old.
- Holds an advisory commission with the police force in Payne City, Georgia.
- Once helped to subdue a drunk and disorderly passenger on a Montreal-LA flight.
- Was offered the role of D-Day in ANIMAL HOUSE, but turned it down.
- After working together on three films, Jamie Lee Curtis called him the best screen kisser who ever had a scene with her.
- Though he has made numerous appearances on Saturday Night Live since leaving the show in 1979, he did not actually host the show until the 2002-2003 season finale.
- Was paid $750/week (1975 season) for Saturday Night Live (1975).
- Was not paid to co-write and star in BLUES BROTHERS 2000.
- Appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song We Are The World.
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for DRIVING MISS DAISY. (1990)
- Nominated for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series at Emmy Awards for NBC's Saturday Night. (1979)
- Nominated for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program at Emmy Awards for NBC's Saturday Night. (1979)
Quotes- "If it hadn't been for Carleton [University], The Blues Brothers movie would never have been made."
- "At 49 years old, I'm really feeling sedentary, reclusive. I really just want to just shut everything down for a while."
- "To this day I still have that blue-collar mentality."
- "I'd like to find and choose the last vehicle and exit on a really high, graceful, substantial note in film."
- "Everyone leaves a bioelectric residue behind them as they walk through life. So it really is possible for a living being to haunt a place where they are well known."
- "It was well known that at Saturday Night Live I sampled all the drugs that were passed across the desks, but I never really liked it too much. Growing up in the '60s and '70s, there was a sort of selfish license to go and try that stuff. I've dispensed with all that; I'm more of a fine-red-wine guy now. I never had that love of coke that John [Belushi] did. He had big appetites. I've lost some beautiful friends...Alex Taylor--James Taylor's brother, River Phoenix... I've had a lot of people go before me."
Awards- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, The Simpsons for playing various characters for episode Worst Episode Ever. (2001)
- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (2000)
- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Voiceover Performance: The Simpsons (1998)
|
