Judith Belushi-Pisano (born Judith Victoria Jacklin; January 1, 1951 – July 5, 2024), also known as Judy Jacklin Belushi,[1] was an American radio and television producer.

Judith Belushi-Pisano
Born
Judith Victoria Jacklin

(1951-01-01)January 1, 1951
DiedJuly 5, 2024(2024-07-05) (aged 73)
Other namesJudy Jacklin Belushi
Occupation(s)Radio and television producer
Spouses
  • (m. 1976; died 1982)
  • Victor Pisano
    (m. 1990; div. 2010)
Children1

Life and career

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Judith Victoria Jacklin was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on January 1, 1951.[2] She grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, where she met John Belushi during high school.[2] They moved to New York City as his career took off, and married in 1976.[2] She was a radio producer for The National Lampoon Radio Hour.[2]

Belushi's drug use put a strain on their marriage, and he died from a drug overdose in 1982.[2][3][4] In the aftermath of her husband's death, Judy Belushi challenged the popular image that formed of him as "a hard-partying drug addict", as described by The New York Times, in favor of a more nuanced portrait that put his addiction in the context of "sudden fame, abysmal self-doubt and a [drug-heavy] celebrity culture".[2] In 1990, she married producer, writer, and director Victor Pisano; he had three daughters from a previous marriage and they had one son before divorcing in 2010.[5][2][6][7]

In 2011, Belushi-Pisano was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Nonfiction Series for her work on the television program Biography.[8]

Belushi-Pisano died from endometrial cancer at her home on Martha's Vineyard, on July 5, 2024, at the age of 73.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "'Blues Sister No. 1' Judy Jacklin 'a wit on her own'". The Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. July 28, 1980. p. 21. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Risen, Clay (July 12, 2024). "Judy Belushi Pisano, Who Defended Her Husband's Legacy, Dies at 73". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  3. ^ Piña, Christy (July 6, 2024). "Judy Belushi-Pisano, Actress and Widow of John Belushi, Dies at 73". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via MSN.
  4. ^ "No more blues for Judith Belushi". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. June 24, 1990. p. 61. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ Seonwoo, Eunki (2024-07-06). "Judith Belushi Pisano dies at 73". The Martha's Vineyard Times. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  6. ^ Haring, Bruce (June 6, 2024). "Judy Belushi-Pisano Dies: John Belushi's Widow Was 73". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (July 6, 2024). "Judy Belushi Pisano, Who Protected the Legacy of Comedian John Belushi, Dies at 73". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2011". Television Academy. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
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