Judy Belushi Pisano, the widow of John Belushi and a former actress and producer, has died. She was 73.
News of Pisano’s death was reported by The MV Times, which covers Martha’s Vineyard, where she spent much of her later years. She died after a long battle with cancer, the publication noted. Belushi’s official social media accounts also shared the news on Instagram and Facebook.
“Today, our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to our sweet Judy,” the posts began. “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.”
Pisano was married to Belushi from 1973 until 1982, when he died from an overdose. She remarried in 1990 to Victor Pisano before filing for divorce in 2010.
“In the years following John’s passing in 1982, Judy honored his life and championed his legacy and Blues Brothers brand,” Belushi’s social media post continued. “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. The Belushi and Pisano families will carry your love in their hearts forever.”
She worked alongside her first husband and former Saturday Night Live star as an actress on The Blues Brothers and National Lampoon’s Animal House. She had roles in Nothing Lasts Forever and All Downhill From Here, and served as a producer on The Best of John Belushi and John Belushi: Dancing on the Edge. According to IMDb, she was also working on a Blues Brothers television series.
Pisano and Belushi first arrived on Martha’s Vineyard in 1974 after a musician friend in Boston recommended it, according to The MV Times. At the time, they were living in New York City, where she was working as a radio producer, and he was beginning to find his success in comedy.
The publication also noted that she was active in the arts on the island. She held a fundraiser for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services with a screening of John Belushi: Dancing on the Edge and another for Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse with a Daniel Aykroyd show.
Pisano is survived by her children and grandchildren.
