American actor James “Jim” Belushi, the younger brother of the late comedian John Belushi, was born on June 15, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. He briefly entered the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois before moving to, and eventually graduating from, Southern Illinois University with a degree in speech and theater arts. He followed his brother’s footsteps by first working with the Chicago-based improv group The Second City; during the time he made his television debut, in the 1978 series Who’s Watching the Kids.
Belushi also appeared in several films, before getting his first major role, in the 1981 crime drama Thief. Belushi again followed his brother’s footsteps—by now John has died due to a drug-related accident—by joining the cast of Saturday Night Live. During his two-year stint, he appeared in several memorable sketches, including “That White Guy” and “Hello, Trudy!” He rose to further prominence with supporting roles in films such as About Last Night…, Salvador, and Little Shop of Horrors. These led to starring roles in films such as Red Heat, The Principal, K-9, Taking Care of Business, Curly Sue, Wild Palms, Race the Sun and Retroactive.
Belushi is also a known voice actor, beginning with a small role in Ahhhh! Real Monsters! which led to him being given a recurring role on the show. Other programs where he lent his voice includes The Mighty Ducks, Hey Arnold!, Babes in Toyland and The Wild. He also appeared in several television shows as a guest, including a memorable role in ER, where his portrayal of a person involved in a serious car accident brought him back to the public eye. This led to him being given a starring role in the comedy According to Jim, where he plays a loving but abrasive suburban father whose laziness gets him into trouble.