Judy Belushi Pisano, widow of comedian John Belushi, has passed away at the age of 73.
News of Pisano's death was revealed Saturday on the late “Saturday Night Live” star's verified Instagram and Facebook accounts, with posts including a collection of photos of Pisano and Belushi together.
“There is no one like her,” the post read. “Judy made everyone feel loved. She was open-minded, bright, funny and genuine. I was able to be my true self around her. That alone was a gift.”
According to the Martha's Vineyard Times, Pisano was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2020 and was placed into hospice care in 2023. Her son, Luke Pisano, told the paper that Pisano died on Friday surrounded by her family.
“Belushi”:John Belushi's new documentary reveals the biggest Carrie Fisher and 'SNL' revelations
Want to take a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
According to People magazine, Pisano and Belushi were high school sweethearts and married in 1976. “John told me he wanted to be an actor but that he probably wouldn't make any money and that we should break up,” she recalled to People in 2020. “But I always knew he could make it work.”
Pisano remained married to the “Blues Brothers” star until his death from a drug overdose at age 33 in 1982. Since then, she has worked hard to preserve her late husband's legacy, even granting director RJ Cutler access to his archives for the Showtime documentary “Belushi.”
Speaking to Film Independent, Pisano said Belushi's drug overdose “really cast a dark shadow over his life.”
“He was very bright, very knowledgeable and very politically motivated when he was younger,” Pisano also told USA Today. “His early work was very satirical and very intellectual. That may have been forgotten a little bit when 'Animal House' became a huge hit and his character became something very different, but he was a very versatile guy.”
The Blues BrothersIt was released in June 1980. Is there a better Chicago movie? I can't.
Pisano married Victor Pisano in 1990. The couple divorced in 2010. According to IMDb, she appeared in Belushi's films “The Blues Brothers” and “National Lampoon's Animal House.”
A post shared on Belushi's Instagram account said Pisano “honored his life and championed his legacy and the Blues Brothers brand,” adding, “As we say our goodbyes, we vow to continue her work and ensure John's legacy and The Blues Brothers never fade.”
