James Belushi

James Belushi (also known as Jim Belushi) (born June 15, 1954) is an American film and television actor.

Related Topics:
June 15 - 1954 - American

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He was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the third of four children of Adam Belushi, an Albanian immigrant who left his native Qytezë village in 1934 at the age of 15, and Agnes, who was born in the U.S., and whose parents were also Albanian immigrants. James' elder brother, John, was also a famous actor. James attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale and earned a degree in Speech and Theater Arts.

Related Topics:
Chicago, Illinois - Wheaton, Illinois - Albania - Qytezë - 1934 - John - Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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From 1977 to 1980 he followed John and worked with the Chicago theater group The Second City. Already following in his brother's footsteps in Chicago, the elder sibling called a director at Second City and instructed her that James wasn't to use any of John's old material. During this period he also made his television debut in the 1978 flop Who's Watching the Kids and also had a microscopic part in Brian De Palma's The Fury.

Related Topics:
1977 - 1980 - The Second City - 1978 - Brian De Palma

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His first larger role was in Michael Mann's Thief (1981). From 1983 to 1985 he wrote and appeared on Saturday Night Live. He rose to greater prominence with his supporting roles in About Last Night... and Salvador (both 1986) which gave him the opportunity for lead roles. He has starred in films including Real Men (1987), The Principal (1987), Red Heat (1988), K-9 (1989), Taking Care of Business (1990), Mr. Destiny (1990), Wild Palms (1993), Royce (1994), Retroactive (1997) and Return To Me. James has also done extensive voice work for animated features including Geppetto in the 2002 movie version of Pinocchio.

Related Topics:
Michael Mann - 1981 - 1983 - 1985 - Saturday Night Live - About Last Night... - Salvador - 1986 - Real Men - 1987 - The Principal - Red Heat - 1988 - K-9 - 1989 - Taking Care of Business - 1990 - Mr. Destiny - Wild Palms - 1993 - Royce - 1994 - Retroactive - 1997 - 2002 - Pinocchio

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James currently stars in the sitcom According to Jim which debuted in October 2001.

Related Topics:
Sitcom - According to Jim - October - 2001

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He has been married three times and has three children. He married his current wife Jennifer Sloan on May 2 1998.

Related Topics:
Jennifer Sloan - May 2 - 1998

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On November 2, 2004 Belushi filed a lawsuit against actress and neighbor Julie Newmar. Belushi claims that Newmar has intentionally been trying to cause him distress and drive him from his home by doing things such as destroying his property, blaring loud music directed at his home and bad-mouthing him to neighbors. Newmar, of course, claims she is the victim of Belushi and has been suffering for many years, ever since he moved next-door to her.

Related Topics:
November 2 - 2004 - Julie Newmar

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