Famous Canadian performer, Dan Aykroyd, has made a name for himself as an actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and musician.
He rose to fame as a member of the renowned sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the 1970s. His unforgettable roles and skits on SNL established him as a gifted entertainer.
Aykroyd’s rise in the film industry began with his comedic performances in movies like The Blues Brothers (1980), which he co-wrote with John Landis and co-starred with John Belushi.
The movie’s popularity gained a devoted fan base and solidified Aykroyd’s reputation as a comedic talent. He also co-wrote and starred in the supernatural comedy Ghostbusters (1984), another beloved and iconic film that continues to be adored by viewers all over the world.
Dan Aykroyd Movies & TV Shows
The Blues Brothers
The debut film featuring beloved characters from Saturday Night Live became a standout comedy classic of the 1980s. Starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as two brothers recently released from jail on a divine mission, the movie boasted a star-studded lineup of legendary musicians. Aykroyd acted in and wrote The Blues Brothers.
Ghostbusters
Released in 1984, Ghostbusters is a comedic portrayal of the supernatural. Ivan Reitman directed and produced the movie, while Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote the screenplay.
The main characters, portrayed by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ramis, are Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, respectively. These three unusual parapsychologists establish a ghost-catching enterprise in the bustling metropolis of New York.
Ghostbusters was originally an idea of Aykroyd’s, inspired by his interest in spirituality, to star himself and John Belushi in a story about battling supernatural dangers across different eras and dimensions.
However, after Belushi’s passing in 1982 and Aykroyd’s vision being deemed too costly, Ramis was brought on board to assist in reworking the script to take place in New York City and have a more believable storyline.
The Coneheads
After becoming stranded on Earth, Beldar and Prymaat, a pair of aliens must adapt to their new surroundings and disguise themselves. But when they receive a message from their home planet, they are faced with a decision about where their loyalty lies.
The animated pilot, adapted from the SNL sketch, follows The Coneheads as they attempt to conquer Earth, only to be tamed. Dan Aykroyd created the TV movie and also starred as Beldar.
Hotel Paranormal
Hotel Paranormal offers frightening real-life accounts of individuals who have encountered supernatural visitors at hotels. Actor Dan Aykroyd lent his voice as a narrator for each episode, showcasing hair-raising tales of ghostly encounters experienced during hotel stays across the globe.
Driving Miss Daisy
In 1989, Bruce Beresford directed and Alfred Uhry wrote Driving Miss Daisy, an American comedy-drama film. It was adapted from Uhry’s 1987 play with the same title and features actors Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Freeman played the same character he portrayed in the original Off-Broadway play.
The film was very well-received by critics and audiences when it first came out. It received a total of nine nominations at the 62nd Academy Awards, ultimately winning four categories including Best Picture, Best Actress (for Tandy), Best Makeup, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
