Dan Aykroyd – the Kingston area resident who has achieved the highest levels of success in film, music, and television – will be recognized for his role in TV next month when he is inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Announced last week, Dan will be recognized along with the other original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” from NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Cast members being honored include (below L-R) Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner , Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase.
Premiering in 1975, Dan and castmate John Belushi conquered the music industry while still on the show with their “Blues Brothers” album Briefcase Full of Blues that went on to become a #1 Billboard charting, double platinum record in 1978.
The two friends then went on to create the wildly successful 1980 film “Blues Brothers” which became the first American movie to gross more money overseas than in the U.S., according to Director John Landis.
The duo were also going to star together in what became 1984’s top earning film “Ghostbusters”, but the role went to SNL ‘s Bill Murray – who joined the show in its second season – after the untimely death of Belushi.
The Television Academy Hall of Fame was also created in 1984, making next month’s recipients the 24th Hall of Fame class with more than 135 individuals becoming members during that time.
Creator of Saturday Night Live, fellow Canadian Lorne Michaels, was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1999.
This year’s induction ceremony will held on November 15 at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood.
Other 2017 inductees include comedian Joan Rivers, producer Shonda Rhimes, production designer Roy Christopher, and producer John Wells.
Saturday Night Live cast mates John Belushi and Gilda Radner, who likewise passed away too soon at the age of 42, will be inducted posthumously as will Joan Rivers, who passed in 2014.
You can (try to) keep up with the very busy Dan Aykroyd by following him on Twitter and “liking” his Facebook page.
Aykroyd photo: Facebook.com | Cast photo via SNL
