Bio
James Belushi is an American actor, comedian, musician and younger brother of the late comedian John Belushi. He starred in the sitcom According to Jim from 2001-2009.
He also starred as Nick Morelli in the legal comedy-drama television series The Defenders, from 2010-2011.
Belushi is a Chicago native and graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in Speech and Theatre Arts. He was a resident member of Chicago's famed Second City Improv Troupe from 1976-80.
In 1979, he left for Hollywood when writer-producer Garry Marshall cast him in the television series, Who's Watching the Kids, and later in Working Stiffs.
Among Belushi's other television credits as an actor and writer are Saturday Night Live, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program, Parallel Lives, Wild Palms, Sahara, Beggars and Choosers and Who Killed Atlanta's Children?.
For eight seasons, Belushi starred in and executive produced According to Jim.
Belushi's feature film credits include Underdog, Return to Me, About Last Night, Salvador, Homer and Eddie and The Principal.
Other starring roles include Joe Somebody, the K-9 franchise, Red Heat, Curly Sue, Taking Care of Business, Once Upon a Crime, Mr. Destiny, Only the Lonely, Thief, The Man with One Red Shoe, Real Men, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Jingle All the Way, Retroactive and Gang Related.
Belushi has performed on Broadway in the acclaimed Conversations with My Father, off-Broadway in True West, Moon Over Miami and for Joseph Papp as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance. In addition, Belushi lends his voice for numerous voiceovers in film, television and commercials.
Besides acting, Belushi loves music. The Sacred Hearts are a rhythm-and-blues band who has been together for years, performing 40 nights a year at clubs, casinos and corporate events all over the country. They are the official house band for The House of Blues, in which Belushi is a partner.
Belushi had released three CDs: Blues Brothers Live from Chicago, The Sacred Hearts 36 x 22 x 36 and Have Love Will Travel by Big Men Big Music, a band he formed with Dan Aykroyd.
Currently, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife and kids. He is often credited as Jim Belushi.