Dan Aykroyd
Daniel Edward Aykroyd, born in Ottawa, initially pursued studies in psychology, criminal sociology, and political science at Carleton University, where his comedy journey took off. He co-wrote sketches for a private cable company, igniting his passion for acting. At 20, he joined The Second City comedy troupe in Chicago and Toronto, marking the start of his career. In 1975, Aykroyd joined "Saturday Night Live" as a founding member of the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players," crafting iconic sketches like "The Blues Brothers" with Belushi and "Two Wild and Crazy Guys" with Steve Martin. The success of "The Blues Brothers" sketch led to a full-length feature in 1980, with Aykroyd writing and producing the movie soundtrack, defying the disco and punk era. His versatile talent shines in roles like Dr. Ray Stantz in "Ghostbusters," Jessica Tandy’s son in "Driving Miss Daisy," a single father in "My Girl," and an assassin in "Grosse Pointe Blank," showcasing both comedic and dramatic prowess.
Mike Jones's Video Boneyard archive currently preserves 33 physical recordings spanning 7 productions featuring Dan Aykroyd.
Archival Holdings in The Video Boneyard
The following 7 canonical motion pictures and broadcast master recordings featuring Dan Aykroyd are preserved in the studio archives:
| Year | Production Title | Character / Role | Director / Studio | The Video Boneyard | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Trading Places | Louis Winthorpe III | John Landis / Paramount Pictures | Vault Archive Master | Archival Master |
| 1984 | Ghostbusters 2 Copies | Ray Stantz | Ivan Reitman / Columbia Pictures | Vault Archive Master | Archival Master |
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Featured Cast | Steven Spielberg / Paramount Pictures | Vault Archive Master | Archival Master |
| 1991 | Nothing but Trouble 2 Copies | Featured Cast | Dan Aykroyd / Archive | Vault Archive Master | Archival Master |
| 1991 | Yellow | Captain Milligan | Unknown / Archive | ▶ Watch Stream | Archival Master |
| 1995 | Casper 25 Copies | Featured Cast | Brad Silberling / Amblin Entertainment | Vault Archive Master | Archival Master |
| 2016 | Ghostbusters | Featured Cast | Paul Feig / Sony Pictures | Vault Archive Master | Archival Master |
Complete Career & Landmark Filmography
Major theatrical features, landmark television appearances, and key credited roles across Dan Aykroyd's historic screen career:
| Year | Production Title | Character / Role | Department / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards | Self - Presenter | Actor (Television) |
| 1974 | Dinah! | Self | Actor (Television) |
| 1974 | The Gift of Winter | Goodly / Rotten / Maple (voice) | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live | Self - Various Characters | Actor (Television) |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live | Writer | Writer (Television) |
| 1976 | The Beach Boys: It's OK | Cop #1 | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1976 | The Beach Boys: It's OK | Writer | Writer (Feature Film) |
| 1976 | The Beach Boys: It's OK | Writer | Writer (Feature Film) |
| 1977 | Love at First Sight | Roy | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1978 | Grateful Dead: The Closing of Winterland | Self | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1978 | The Blues Brothers Live at Winterland | Elwood Blues | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1978 | The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash | Brian Thigh | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1978 | The Things We Did Last Summer | Self | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1979 | 1941 | Sgt. Frank Tree | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1979 | Mr. Mike's Mondo Video | Church of Jack Lord Leader / Self | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1980 | The Blues Brothers | Elwood Blues | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1980 | The Blues Brothers | Writer | Writer (Feature Film) |
| 1981 | Neighbors | Vic | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1981 | Steve Martin's Best Show Ever | Yortuk Festrunk / Irwin Mainway / Alexander Haig / Dr. Treves | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1981 | Steve Martin's Best Show Ever | Writer | Writer (Feature Film) |
| 1982 | E.T. and Friends: Magical Movie Visitors | Beldar Conehead | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1982 | It Came from Hollywood | Self | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1983 | Doctor Detroit | Clifford Skridlow / Doctor Detroit | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1983 | The Coneheads | Beldar (voice) | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1983 | Trading Places | Louis Winthorpe III | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1983 | Twilight Zone: The Movie | Passenger | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1984 | Ghostbusters | Dr. Raymond Stantz | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Art Weber | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1984 | MTV Video Music Awards | Self - Host | Actor (Television) |
| 1984 | Nothing Lasts Forever | Buck Heller | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1984 | On the Scene with the Ghostbusters | Actor | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1985 | B.B. King: Into the Night | Self | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1985 | Into the Night | Herb | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1985 | Spies Like Us | Austin Millbarge | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1985 | The Best of John Belushi | Various Characters | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1985 | We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song | Self | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1986 | American Masters | Julia Child (archive footage) | Actor (Television) |
| 1986 | The Real Ghostbusters | Creator | Creator (Television) |
| 1987 | Citizen Steve | Chial Dushane | Actor (Feature Film) |
| 1987 | Citizen Steve | Director | Director (Feature Film) |