Dan Aykroyd began his professional entertainment career at age 17, appearing in the Canadian sketch series The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour. A multifaceted performer from Ottawa, he emerged as a foundational talent in North American comedy, later gaining broad recognition for his work as a screenwriter, producer, and actor across television and film industries.
Television Breakthroughs
Joining the original cast of Saturday Night Live in 1975, Aykroyd served as the program's youngest member during its initial four-season run. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. His SNL tenure established a reputation for surreal character work, including the Coneheads and the Blues Brothers, alongside impersonations of figures such as Jimmy Carter and Julia Child.
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Aykroyd transitioned to high-profile film work in the late 1970s and 1980s. He starred as Elwood J. Blues in The Blues Brothers and Dr. Raymond Stantz in Ghostbusters, reprising the latter in subsequent franchise projects. His filmography includes appearances in 1941, Trading Places, Spies Like Us, Dragnet, The Great Outdoors, Nothing but Trouble, and Coneheads. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Driving Miss Daisy.
Formative Years
Born in Ottawa in 1952, Aykroyd attended local institutions including Lisgar Collegiate Institute and Carleton University, where he studied sociology and criminology. His early interest in blues music was nurtured at the Ottawa club Le Hibou, where he observed performers such as Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Before finding success in the United States, he was a member of the Second City comedy troupe.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Ottawa, Canada
- Education: Carleton University, St. Pius X, St. Patrick's High School, Lisgar Collegiate Institute
- Notable Works: Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places
- Emmy Award: Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series (1977)
- Honors: Member of the Order of Canada
- Occupations: Actor, screenwriter, producer, singer, musician
- Religion: Spiritualism
Questions readers ask
What was Dan Aykroyd's early comedy experience?
He performed in Canadian nightclubs, ran an after-hours spot called Club 505 in Toronto, and worked with the Second City comedy troupe.
Has he received recognition for his contributions to the arts?
He is a Member of the Order of Canada and received the Great Immigrants Award in 2007.
Achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series — 1977
- Notable work: Ghostbusters
- Notable work: Yogi Bear
- Notable work: Antz
- Worked as actor, screenwriter and ufologist
