Peter Aykroyd

For the English writer, see Peter Ackroyd. For the British academic, see Peter Ackroyd (biblical scholar).
Peter Aykroyd
Born(1955-11-19)November 19, 1955
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
DiedNovember 6, 2021(2021-11-06) (aged 65)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • writer
  • producer
Years active1977–1999
RelativesDan Aykroyd (brother)
Donna Dixon (sister-in-law)
Danielle Aykroyd (niece)

Peter Aykroyd (November 19, 1955 – November 6, 2021) was a Canadian actor, comedian, and writer.

Biography

Born to Lorraine (1918–2018) and Peter Hugh Aykroyd (1922–2020)[1] in Ottawa, he was the younger brother of comedian Dan Aykroyd.[2] Along with his older brother, he was in the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto. The two were also on Saturday Night Live. He was a cast member and writer during the show's fifth season, from 1979–1980.[3]

He and Dan Aykroyd wrote the movie Nothing but Trouble in the early 1990s; Peter wrote the story[4] and Dan wrote the screenplay. In 1996, Peter Aykroyd co-created the Canadian sci-fi show Psi Factor[4] with Christopher Chacon and Peter Ventrella; the show was hosted by his brother Dan and produced 88 episodes.[5]

In 1997, Peter Aykroyd and Jim Belushi provided the voices of Elwood Blues and Jake Blues for the cartoon The Blues Brothers: Animated Series, playing the roles made famous by their respective brothers Dan and John. Peter Aykroyd appeared in such films as Spies Like Us, Dragnet, Nothing but Trouble and Coneheads.[2]

Aykroyd died in Spokane, Washington on November 6, 2021, at age 65, from sepsis caused by an untreated abdominal hernia.[6][7] His death was first announced two weeks later, through a title card on Saturday Night Live.[8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1979 Java Junkie Joe
1981 Gas Ed Marshal
1983 Doctor Detroit Mr. Frankman
The Funny Farm Stephen Croft
1984 Nothing Lasts Forever Musician
1985 Spies Like Us Uncredited
1987 Dragnet Phoney Cop #2
1991 Nothing but Trouble Mike the Doorman Also writer
Nominated 1992 Razzie Award for Worst Screenplay (with Dan Aykroyd)
1993 Coneheads
1995 Kids of the Round Table Mr. Cole, Alex's Father

Television

Year Title Role First Episode Notes
1977 The New Avengers Mirschtia "Emily" 1 episode
1978 Second City TV Saloon Patron "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" 1 episode
1979–1980 Saturday Night Live Various "Teri Garr/The B-52's" 16 episodes, also writer
Nominated 1980 Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
1985 From Here to Maternity Jack — TV movie
1986 Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills Bunky "Unaccustomed as I Am To Public Speaking" 2 episodes
1996–2000 Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal "John Doe" Writer, creator, executive producer
1999 Justice George Norton — TV movie

References

  1. ^ "Aykroyd, Peter Hugh – MAIN – Manitoba Archival Information Network". Main.lib.umanitoba.ca. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Peter Aykroyd". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Gus Wezerek (December 14, 2019). "The 'S.N.L.' Stars Who Lasted, and the Ones Who Flamed Out". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019. Some of the names here will be familiar only to die-hard fans; others, like Murphy, defined what was funny for generations of viewers.
  4. ^ a b "Peter Aykroyd Filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on November 23, 2013.
  5. ^ "Explore the Psi Factor, the unknown, with the O.S.I.R and Dan Aykroyd". Metafilter.com. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  6. ^ Cain-Gray, Tisha (November 23, 2021). "SNL actor and writer Peter Aykroyd dies in Spokane". KXLY-TV. Associated Press. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  7. ^ Hannah Yasharoff (November 21, 2021). "'SNL' alum Peter Aykroyd died after untreated abdominal hernia, brother Dan Aykroyd says". USA Today. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (November 20, 2021). "Peter Aykroyd Dies: 'Saturday Night Live' Pays Tribute To Former Cast Member & Writer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 20, 2021.