Jim Belushi Says His Brother John Still Makes Him Mad 40 Years After His Death
- - Jim Belushi Says His Brother John Still Makes Him Mad 40 Years After His Death
Jane LaCroixDecember 22, 2025 at 12:13 AM
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Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
More than four decades after losing his brother, Jim Belushi says John Belushi still shows up for him—not on stage, but in his dreams.
In a new interview with PEOPLE shared on Sunday, December 21, Jim, 71, opened up about the recurring dreams he’s had over the years about his late brother, who died in 1982 at just 33. In those dreams, the two are back where it all began.
“In the dreams, he’s alive and fine, and we were acting together,” Jim shared. “We’re improvising at Second City or on Saturday Night Live.”
The dreams often follow a familiar pattern. Jim says he finds himself getting frustrated with John—not out of sadness, but because his brother is doing what he always did best.
Whenever these dreams occur, the actor admits he “got mad at him because he was making me laugh so hard I couldn’t stay in character,’” Jim said. “Those were kind of nice visits.”
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Before fame pulled them onto different paths, the Belushi brothers sharpened their comedy chops together at Chicago’s famed Second City, working alongside future comedy heavyweights. John’s undeniable charisma soon caught the attention of SNL creator Lorne Michaels, leading to his breakout role as part of the show’s original cast in 1975.
During his four seasons on Saturday Night Live, John became one of the show’s defining performers and co-created The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd. But as John’s career soared, his struggles with addiction intensified. He died from a cocaine and heroin overdose at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, a loss that reverberated through comedy and pop culture.
Jim previously told Variety that living with that grief has shaped his life in unexpected ways. Over the years, strangers who’ve lost siblings have approached him, finding comfort in his openness. While the pain never fully fades, Jim says the dreams offer something rare—moments where his brother feels present again, if only briefly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
