Photo: Rnunezart / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Dan Aykroyd fascinates me because he commits equally to brilliance and absurdity. He won an Emmy for writing on Saturday Night Live as an original cast member, co-created Ghostbusters, and then collected two Razzies without ever seeming embarrassed. That shamelessness is the point: he is a true believer, whether the subject is sketch comedy, blues music, or actual UFOs, which he studies in earnest. The Order of Canada member from Ottawa never built an image; he built enthusiasms. In an industry obsessed with cool detachment, his sincere, slightly unhinged passion feels almost radical to me, and weirdly comforting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Dan Aykroyd
- Name (Japanese)
- ダン・エイクロイド
- Reading
- だん・えいくろいど
- Born
- July 1, 1952 (age 74)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Dragon
- Origin
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Occupation
- actor / screenwriter / ufologist / comedian / singer
2. Background
- High school
- St. Patrick's High School
- University
- Carleton University
Awards & achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- 1977 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- 2002 Canada's Walk of Fame
- 1989 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award
- 1992 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award
- 2007 Great Immigrants Award
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Ghostbusters | — | |
| Notable work | Yogi Bear | — | |
| Notable work | Antz | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Dan Aykroyd born?
Born July 1, 1952 (age 74).
Where is Dan Aykroyd from?
Dan Aykroyd is from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
What does Dan Aykroyd do?
Dan Aykroyd works as actor, screenwriter, ufologist, comedian, singer.
What is Dan Aykroyd known for?
Notable works include Ghostbusters, Yogi Bear, Antz.
Actor — see all → · Screenwriter — see all → · More people from Canada →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-11
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.