James Belushi

His father Adam Belushi is an Albanian immigrant who left his native village, Qytezë, in 1934 at the age of 15, and his mother Agnes, was born in the US to Albanian immigrants.

Early in his career he was offered a role on a proposed TV sitcom adaptation of Animal House (1978). Wanting to keep his career separate from his famous older brother John Belushi (who co-starred in the movie), Belushi declined.

He was nominated for a 1979 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play for "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" at the Apollo Theatre Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Son, with Sandra Davenport, Robert Belushi (b. 1981).

Member of the jury at the Venice Film Festival in 1991.

Was originally set to co-star in Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts.

Has a daughter, Jamison Belushi (aka "Jamison Bess Belushi"), with wife Jennifer Sloan (born July 28, 1999).

Filed a $4-million lawsuit against neighbor Julie Newmar in 2004. He accused her of using harassment and defamation to force him from the Brentwood, California, street they share. A newspaper article quoted a resident not involved with the dispute as saying "She's weird" and "He's a bully." In January 2006 the two announced they had settled their differences out-of-court, and later that year Newmar guest-starred on an episode of "According to Jim" (2001) that poked fun at their feud by having Newmar play a neighbor who annoys Belushi's character.

Has a son, Jared James Belushi, with wife Jennifer Sloan (born February 8, 2002).

Announced that he has gout [May 14, 2012].