Tim Matheson reveals tragic fate of John Belushi due to drugs
- Tim Matheson wrote about his experiences with John Belushi in his new memoir.
- Matheson revealed the supportive nature of Belushi during the filming of "Animal House," despite his struggles.
- The account serves as a somber reminder of the challenges celebrities face with addiction.
In the United States, Tim Matheson, a Hollywood actor, has reflected on his friendship with John Belushi, who died in 1982 from a drug overdose at the age of 33. As Matheson was filming "National Lampoon's Animal House" in the late 1970s, he initially expected Belushi to be an arrogant star used to excessive attention due to his fame on "Saturday Night Live." Contrary to these expectations, Matheson found Belushi to be down-to-earth and supportive, while director John Landis enforced a drug-free environment on set. However, Matheson observed troubling signs during their activities outside of work, particularly when Belushi failed to answer the door the morning after a night out in Chicago, indicating possible issues with substance abuse. Matheson confronted the reality of drug addiction in the entertainment industry, noting the presence of Belushi's bodyguards whose main role was to keep drugs away from him. This deeply personal account from Matheson's new memoir sheds light on the challenges faced by those in creative fields and the toll drugs can take on talented individuals. The painful memories linger for Matheson as he recalls the last moments with Belushi and the impact of substance abuse on the lives of other comedy icons like Chris Farley, prompting Matheson to encourage sobriety in young talents across Hollywood.