Judith ‘Judy’ Belushi Pisano, the widow of comedian John Belushi, passed away on Friday, July 5, at the age of 73. She was married to John Belushi from 1976 until his untimely death in 1982 due to a drug overdose. Judy was known for her marriage to the famed comedian and her contributions to the entertainment industry.
As an actress and producer, she played a significant role in preserving John Belushi’s legacy and was involved in various projects that celebrated his life and work. The announcement of her passing was made on Saturday through John Belushi’s official social media accounts. Tributes poured in from fans, friends, and colleagues, all honoring her life and achievements.
Report says Judith Belushi Pisano died after a long battle with cancer
While the official statement did not mention the cause of her passing, The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that the actress succumbed to a long battle with endometrial cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2020. According to the publication, Judy entered hospice care in 2023 as her condition worsened.
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The late actress left a legacy behind through her family, including her four children, Luke, Vanessa, Rebecca, and Jessica, her beloved grandchildren, as well as her siblings.
Friends and colleagues pay tribute
Since news of Judy’s demise broke, several of her friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the late actress. R.J. Cutler, writer-director and executive producer of the Belushi documentary, in an interview with Variety, described Pisano as a “fearless” and down-to-earth person whom he couldn’t have loved working with Judy more when they worked on the project.
He added that collaborating with her was one of the great experiences of his career, noting that knowing her stimulated his mind, lifted his spirit, and filled his heart. He wished that her memory would be a great blessing.
Also, her friend, musician Stephen Bishop, who appeared in both The Blues Brothers and Animal House, shared his tribute on Instagram, alongside an image of him with John and Judy. He wrote that he had fond memories of working and hanging out with the late couple, mentioning that Judy was always kind to him and had stayed in touch over the years.