Judy Belushi Pisano, Who Protected the Legacy of Comedian John Belushi, Dies at 73

Judy Belushi Pisano, the widow of legendary comedian John Belushi who spent decades preserving and protecting his legacy, died Friday after a long battle with cancer. She was 73.

News of Pisano’s passing was reported Saturday by the MV Times news outlet covering Martha’s Vineyard, where Pisano spent most of her later years. Her death was also confirmed on the official John Belushi Instagram account.

Pisano was married to Belushi, the larger-than-life star of “Saturday Night Live,” “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers,” from 1973 until his death from an overdose in 1982. Pisano endured the worst of Belushi’s infidelity and addiction struggles, yet she devoted much of her life to honoring his memory. She was a producer on numerous latter-day “Blues Brothers”-related projects and was involved in the 2020 Showtime documentary “John Belushi.”

John Belushi is buried on Martha’s Vineyard. Pisano first came to the island off Massachusetts in 1974 on the advice of a friend, according to MV Times.

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“Today, our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to our sweet Judy. Her unwavering dedication and creative genius alongside Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi gave birth to The Blues Brothers, a timeless testament to the power of music and laughter,” the Belushi Instagram post stated. “In the years following John’s passing in 1982, Judy honored his life and championed his legacy and Blues Brothers brand. As we bid farewell, we pledge to continue her work, ensuring that John’s legacy and the Blues Brothers will never fade. There was no one like her. Judy made everyone feel loved. She was nonjudgmental, light, funny, and pure. You could be truly yourself around her, that alone was a gift.”

More to come