Few names resonate as profoundly as Dan Aykroyd in the comedy genre. He created and played many iconic roles, amassing a fortune.
So how did someone who got kicked out of priest school go on to build a multi-million-dollar empire? I’ll discuss Dan Aykroyd’s career beginnings, business ventures, and net worth in this article!
Who Is Dan Aykroyd?
Dan Aykroyd is an American actor, comedian, producer, and screenwriter. On top of this, he’s a well-known musician in the blues genre.
Dan is an admitted wine lover and owns several distilleries and clubs.
You may recognize Dan as one of the original members of Saturday Night Live and for his role in Ghostbusters!
Dan Aykroyd’s Childhood
Dan Aykroyd was born on July 1, 1952, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Lorraine Hélène, a secretary, and Samuel Aykroyd, an engineer who worked with the prime minister.
Even as a kid, Dan was mouthy and loved to make people laugh. He was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome and Asperger syndrome, which made him obsessed with ghosts.
Still, his parents had high expectations of him and sent him to St. Pius, a priest school in Ottawa. He would later get kicked out for not being a suitable candidate for the priesthood.
The fact that Dan had an interest in spirits and mediums may not have helped. He loved spending time on the family farm, where his great-grandfather researched how to contact the dead via radio technology.
Afterward, Dan studied criminology at Carleton University. He expected to become a correctional officer by taking this course. However, a friend of his dragged him to Toronto before he graduated.
Dan then worked as a comedian in various nightclubs in Toronto. He managed a club, eventually catching Lorne Michaels’s attention.
Dan Aykroyd’s Early Career
In 1975, the creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels, hired Dan Aykroyd as a writer for the show. Yet, in a twist of fate, he became one of the main cast!
Saturday Night Live propelled Dan into stardom, and he stayed on the show for four seasons.
1980 saw Dan Aykroyd starring in The Blues Brothers, a movie he co-wrote. This was where he revealed his singing prowess. Soon after, Dan ventured into the restaurant industry when he founded the House of Blues live venue.
In 1984, Aykroyd officially became a household name when he created and starred in Ghostbusters. According to Dan, the inspiration for the movie was the psychic research lab at his family’s farmhouse.
Dan Aykroyd’s Career Milestones
Below are some of the events that happened throughout Dan Aykroyd’s career!
- Movies: Aside from Ghostbusters, Dan also starred in Coneheads, Nothing But Trouble, and Dragnet. He played in Spies Like Us, The Beach Boys, and The Best of John Belushi.
- Academy Awards: Dan Aykroyd was nominated for Best Supporting Role and Funniest Supporting Actor in 1990. This was for his part in Driving Miss Daisy.
- Primetime Emmy Awards: Dan won an award for outstanding writing concerning Saturday Night Live.
- Canadian Screen Awards: Aykroyd was nominated for Best Guest Performance for his appearance at Workin Moms.
- Honorary Doctorate: 1994 Dan received an honorary doctorate from Carleton University. He became a member of the Order of Canada four years later.
What Is Dan Aykroyd’s Net Worth?
Dan Aykroyd has a net worth of $250 million as of 2024. Because of this, he ranks number 15 on Celebrity Net Worth’s list of top 50 richest comedians.
Most of Aykroyd’s income comes from his films. In 2024, the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire movie had a worldwide box office gross of $198.4 million!
Other Sources of Income
Aside from the revenue he gets from previous movies, Dan Aykroyd makes extra income from the following.
- Video Games: Dan Aykroyd wrote the Ghostbusters video game in 2009. The game is like a third movie, winning the Best In-Game Cinematic at the Canadian Videogame Awards.
- Businesses: Aykroyd co-created Crystal Head, a beverage that won the 2022 SIP Awards. He says it took him two years to perfect the skull-shaped bottle because he didn’t want to cut corners.
- Brand Partnerships: Dan promotes Sony Pictures’ Wonderverse, which houses the Ghost Trap Speakeasy.
- Real Estate: Aykroyd rents his estate at the Pacific Palisades out for $45,000 monthly. He also sold a three-story condo on Manhattan’s Upper East Side for $7 million.
Where Is Dan Aykroyd Now?
Recently, Dan Aykroyd and his wife, Donna Dixon, announced their separation after nearly 40 years of marriage, but they are still legally married. The couple kept their reasons private but said they remain close friends.
Now 72 years old, Dan Aykroyd is still active in his career. He starred in Zombie Town with Chevy Chase and Madi Monroe in 2023.
In addition, Dan has two upcoming TV shows in development. These are Ghostbusters: Ecto Force and Blues Brothers.
When you ask Dan Aykroyd about his retirement, he says he wants to grow old at the family farmhouse. He reveals that he dreams of spending time with his great-grandchildren there!
Dan Aykroyd Instagram
Today, Dan Aykroyd has over 111K followers on Instagram. Here, he shares some of his latest projects and adventures.
This includes posters of his latest movie, the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire!
Conclusion
Dan Akyroyd is a colorful character who’s brought joy to the lives of people across the globe. He may struggle with Asperger syndrome but knows what he wants and acts on his passion.
Because of his hard work, Dan Aykroyd grew his net worth to $250 million throughout his career. He inspires us to take chances and become more proud of what we love!
