John Belushi’s Ghost in Ghostbusters? Revealed!

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In 1984, the release of “Ghostbusters” was an enormous success. It stood out as the hilarious highlight of that summer, and I can vividly recall my initial chat with my neighbor about it before heading out to watch it for the first time with my mom. The film attracted both children and adults in droves, and it’s still available to stream on Max. Directed by Ivan Reitman, this movie features Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Bill Murray as the central characters battling ghosts in New York City.

Initially, the ghost-busting squad was intended to have a different composition. The character of Peter Venkman, played by Murray, was initially meant for John Belushi. Unfortunately, Belushi’s passing in 1982 prevented him from joining the team. However, they found an elegant method to honor their lost comrade, and they did so in a fitting manner.

The Ghost “Slimer” Was Meant To Be An Homage To Belushi

In the film, the second spirit that the Ghostbusters come across (the initial one being “The Grey Lady”) is a messy, green, floating head encountered by Venkman in a hotel corridor. This head appears to be devouring food from a room service tray with reckless abandon, its hunger seemingly never satisfied. Belushi was famed for his uncontainable cravings, not only for food, comedy, music, but also tragically, substances, which ultimately led to his demise.

Before I mention the apparent fact, it’s important to note that the late SNL legend was portrayed as a spirit in the movie. Dan Aykroyd planned for Ghostbusters to serve as a continuation of the 1980’s films The Blues Brothers and Neighbors, where he worked alongside Belushi. Given this history, it was inevitable that Aykroyd would honor his longtime collaborator.

The Wild Story About How It All Happened

Steve Johnson, both make-up artist and creature creator, was instrumental in designing the floating entity later known as “Slimer.” In an interview with Bloody Disgusting, he shared that at the eleventh hour, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd sent a message expressing their desire for the ghost to bear resemblance to John Belushi.

For the past six months, I’ve been meticulously crafting numerous versions of Slimer, and now they requested that I make him resemble Dan Aykroyd (who played John Belushi in Ghostbusters) a bit more.

With a burst of vivid words, Johnson vented his annoyance at the late notice, yet moved on to accomplish what he’d been assigned. Following an apparently energetic night of brainstorming, boosted by certain substances, he produced the final piece. He also mentioned that his side projects led him to hallucinate Belushi’s spirit, which sounds intense. However, when the film was unveiled, Slimer became a sensation. It seems quite a rollercoaster ride, but Slimer turned out to be a big success when the movie came out.

Rediscover the hilarious scenes of the classic films, Ghostbusters and its sequel, Ghostbusters II, by subscribing to Max. For just $9.99 a month, you can enjoy the With Ads plan, or choose from one of the higher-tier options available. Alternatively, prepay for an entire year to save up to 20%, and immerse yourself in a treasure trove of timeless comedies from the ’80s. Take advantage of this offer now!

John Belushi Is Gone, But He Lives On Forever

Initially, Ghostbusters was expected to be another success for Belushi and Aykroyd. However, there’s no denying that Bill Murray’s entry into the role was a significant boost for the movie. His performance is one of the funniest Murray has ever given, making it hard to envision anyone else playing the part. Yet, it’s heartening to see everyone involved honoring their friend by incorporating him in an over-the-top and absurd manner, much as John Belushi would have preferred. In a sense, Slimer, who has become a staple of the Ghostbusters franchise, serves as a lasting tribute to Belushi, keeping his spirit alive in our hearts for many years.

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2025-04-17 12:07