Belushi finds a place in ABC’s fall lineup

SIUC graduate stars in ABC sitcom

A young man from Chicago attended SIUC and decided to major in Theater. He graduated, did a couple movies and now he has his own sitcom on ABC.

James Belushi, who graduated with a degree in speech and theater arts in 1978, is starring in According to Jim with Courtney Thorne Smith (Ally McBeal). The program is scheduled to be a part of ABC’s fall lineup and run every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. In the show, Belushi plays a father who tries to balance his family life with beer and football.

Belushi was born in Chicago in 1954 but grew up in Wheaton. He attended the College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn and then transferred to SIUC.

Marion Kleinau, who retired in 1991 after 30 years with the SIUC Theater Department, knew and taught Belushi when he was a student.

Jim was extremely talented, Kleinau said. He had a tremendous performing ability.

Kleinau said Belushi was a kidder and spent most of his time in the Theater Department or on the stage.

After school, Belushi spent more time on stage with Chicago’s Second City improv troupe for three years. After that, he starred in a TV pilot called Who’s Watching the Kids, and then had a role in the sitcom Working Stiffs with Michael Keaton.

In 1983, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live where he remained for two years. After his time there, Belushi starred in a series of movies including Red Heat and The Principal. He also had a comedic role in the more recent film, Return to Me.

We’re always glad when one our students is successful, Kleinau said.

In addition to starring in films and television shows, Belushi has also inspired theater students who are hoping for similar success after they graduate.

Kiplan Dooley, a junior in theater from Chicago, said seeing Belushi makes him have bigger hopes for his own future.

I always like to see people from SIU succeed, Dooley said. It makes me realize that I could be next.

Dooley said the best part of Belushi’s success is that he’s made a name for himself and found life after college.

I think he’s doing his own thing, Dooley said. He’s getting work and that’s what really matters.

While students like Dooley may know Belushi as a tough cop or a high school principal that lays down the law, Kleinau still remembers him as the humorous student that was sure to involve himself in as many plays as he possibly could.

I’m very proud of him and I wish him well on his new series, Kleinau said.

Reporter Codell Rodriguez can be reached at [email protected].