Danny

Dan Aykroyd could easily assume the mantle of "hardest-working person in show business." One of the most innovative, active and versatile forces in the entertainment industry, he has achieved success as an Academy Award-nominated dramatic and comic actor, screenwriter, producer, director, musician and restaurant/nightclub/entertainment company owner.
One of Aykroyd's principal projects, however, (his second season as host of Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal) is unique because it hits very close to home: It's the commonsensical result of his lifelong, serious study of the paranormal. Aykroyd is the third generation of his family to be a passionate student of the scholarly journals and other work produced by scientifically-based paranormal research organizations including the Office of Scientific Investigation and Research, a group headquartered in California whose cases and activities inspire Psi Factor dramas. In fact, Aykroyd credits this longtime study as the source for the Ghostbusters films, which he originated and co-wrote, along with starring in them.
For Psi Factor's second season in national syndication, which begins the broadcast week of September 22, 1997, Aykroyd remains committed to sharing with viewers the excitement he has found in tales of the paranormal. As host, he appears in every episode to introduce, advance and conclude each story with his signature style. He is equally involved behind-the-scenes in all aspects of the series' production, scripts, scientific protocol and special effects. Aykroyd has also been involved in taking Psi Factor to other media. He has edited and hosted a companion radio series, distributed by the CBS Radio Network, and edited a Psi Factor book, published by Andrews & McMeel and available nationally since Spring 1997.
With Psi Factor, Aykroyd returned to his entertainment roots: his first employment in the business was via television. In 1972, he began producing, co-writing and acting in a series of 15-minute comedy shows for a private cable company. That same year, he joined the famed Second City comedy troupe, performing with them in Chicago and Toronto. During this time, he also co-wrote and co-starred in his first feature, Love at First Sight.
In 1975, Aykroyd joined the founding cast of a new comedy series, Saturday Night Live. As an integral member of the performing ensemble and writing staff, he created memorable characters while forever changing the face of the medium. A sketch on the series with his friend and fellow cast member John Belushi sparked the creation of The Blues Brothers Band; the two recorded the successful "Briefcase Full of Blues" album in 1979, starred in the box office blockbuster The Blues Brothers and embarked on a 10-city tour and top-selling "Made in America" live album. With Belushi, Aykroyd also starred in the films 1941 and Neighbors.
Aykroyd's acting career has been diverse and extensive. He released the much-anticipated sequel Blues Brothers 2000, in which he recreated his "Elwood Blues" character and starred with John Goodman (Jim Belushi declined to be in the Blues Brothers 2000 movie). The trio also performed during the top-rated Super Bowl half-time show. On television, he starred in the popular primetime comedy series Soul Man, and the CBC historical mini-series The Arrow.
Aykroyd received an Academy Award nomination in the "Best Supporting Actor" category for his work as the dutiful son in Driving Miss Daisy. His other projects include the features Feeling Minnesota, starring Keanu Reeves; Gross Point Blank, with John Cusack, and My Fellow Americans, with Jack Lemmon. He also had starring roles in Trading Places, Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, Spies Like Us (which he also originated and co wrote), Dragnet (co-writer), and Coneheads (co-writer). In addition, he has starred in Sneakers, Chaplin (portraying legendary filmmaker Mack Sennett), Doctor Detroit, The Couch Trip, The Great Outdoors, My Stepmother is an Alien, My Girl, North, Exit to Eden, Tommy Boy, Sergeant Bilko, Evolution, and Celtic Pride.
Aykroyd is on the Board of Directors of The House of Blues, the successful restaurant / nightclub / entertainment company he co-founded with Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe. They have locations across the USA, including Cambridge, Massachusetts; New Orleans; Chicago, and Los Angeles. Under the House of Blues banner, Aykroyd - in his "Elwood Blues" character - hosts three music series distributed to radio stations nationally by CBS.
Birthdate: July 1, 1952
Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Sign: Sun in Cancer, Moon in Libra
Education: Carleton University in Ottawa
Relations:
Father: Samuel Cuthbert Peter Hugh Aykroyd (Canadian government official)
Mother: Lorraine Aykroyd
Brother: Peter Aykroyd
Wife: Donna Dixon (actress)
Children: Danielle Alexandra and Belle Kingston
Courtesy of www.bluesbrotherscentral.com.
*Note: I am in no way affiliated with Dan Aykroyd.