Why John Belushi Died

I remember a day here at the Sun-Times building when Belushi was shooting scenes for “Continental Divide.” I had known him for years on a casual basis; our paths crossed occasionally, from early days of Old Town bars and Second City parties to later interviews and show-biz occasions. I had rarely seen him looking better than he looked that day. He told me he was in great shape. He was off the booze and the drugs. He was exercising.

A man was standing next to him, and he introduced him as “my trainer.” Well, what was he going to call him? “My drug guard?” Alcoholism and drug abuse are characterized by denial and an addict will substitute almost any conceivable illness or weakness for the one he must deny; John seemed to place the entire situation in the category of “losing weight” and “getting in shape.” An alcoholic who has temporarily stopped drinking but does not yet admit his problem will frequently do what John did, which is to describe abstinence as a training program or a diet.

His career was coming apart. “Continental Divide” did not do well at the box office. There were arguments and major problems during the shooting of “Neighbors.” Work was at a standstill on the screenplay for Belushi’s next project, titled “Noble Rot.” All the career setbacks are described by Woodward. They were accompanied by episodes of drug and alcohol abuse that grew increasingly alarming to his friends and family.