James Adam Belushi was born on June 15, 1954, in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, to Agnes Demetri (Samaras) and Adam Anastos Belushi, a restaurant owner with a rich Albanian heritage. His father, an immigrant from Qytezë, Albania, and his mother, also of Albanian descent, brought forth a family of four children, with James being the third sibling. His older brother, John Belushi, would go on to become a renowned comedian.
Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, James attended high school, where a teacher recognized his exceptional improvisational skills during speeches and encouraged him to participate in a school play. This initial exposure sparked a passion for acting, and he soon joined the school's drama club. When asked about his decision to pursue acting, James would humorously attribute it to the presence of more girls in the drama club, stating, "Because of girls. In the drama club, there were about 20 girls and six guys. And the same thing with choir - more girls!"
After completing his education at the College of DuPage and Southern Illinois University, where he earned a degree in Speech and Theater Arts, James joined the renowned Second City improv troupe in Chicago in 1977. He spent three remarkable years honing his craft alongside some of the best in the industry. In 1979, Garry Marshall discovered Jim's talents during a Second City performance and arranged for him to co-star in the TV pilot "Who's Watching the Kids" for Paramount and later in the series "Working Stiffs" alongside Michael Keaton.
James's breakthrough role came in 1983 when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (1975) for two years, solidifying his position as a talented comedic actor. He then rose to national prominence in 1986 with his performance in the film "About Last Night," a role he originated in the Chicago Apollo Theatre's production of David Mamet's Obie-award winning play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago."
Today, James resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Jennifer Sloan, and their daughter, Jamison. He also shares a son, Robert Belushi, from his first marriage. Throughout his illustrious career, James has remained committed to his craft, continually pushing the boundaries of comedy and leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
