Dan Aykroyd

Daniel Edward Aykroyd CM OOnt, known as Dan Aykroyd, is a Canadian and American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He was born on July 1, 1952, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and gained prominence as a writer and an original member of the 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players' cast on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live (SNL) from its inception in 1975 until his departure in 1979. He received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his work on the show, winning for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. Aykroyd also gained fame for writing and starring in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, along with other comedic roles in The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, Spies Like Us, Dragnet, The Great Outdoors, Coneheads, and Blues Brothers 2000. His dramatic roles include Driving Miss Daisy, My Girl, Chaplin, and Sneakers. Aykroyd also appeared on various television shows like It's Garry Shandling's Show, Home Improvement, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and The Conners. He is a businessman having co-founded the House of Blues chain of music venues and the Crystal Head Vodka brand. Aykroyd is a reserved but passionate artist, who unlike his peers, was uninterested in recreational drug use, and attributes his inspirations to global blues culture and a well-educated community.