Judith Victoria Jacklin, or Judy Belushi Pisano, was born on January 7, 1951, in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She passed away on July 5, 2024, at her home on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, at 73.
The cause of her death was endometrial cancer, as reported by her son, Luke Pisano. Judy is widely recognized as the widow of actor and comedian John Belushi, and she devoted much of her life to preserving his legacy after his untimely death from a drug overdose in 1982.
Early Age
Judy was raised in Wheaton, Illinois, where her father, Les Jacklin, worked as a salesman for a tool and parts company, and her mother, Jean Jacklin, was a secretary and homemaker.
She met John Belushi during their senior year at Wheaton Central High School, and the two quickly fell in love.
Education
Judy attended the University of Illinois, while John attended the University of Wisconsin and later the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. However, their educational pursuits were cut short when John’s burgeoning comedy career took them to New York City.
Career
In New York City, Judy worked as a producer for The National Lampoon Radio Hour, demonstrating her talents behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Her primary role, however, was as an emotional anchor for John, whose rapid rise to fame brought significant personal challenges.
After John’s death, Judy became a staunch defender of his legacy, challenging the portrayal of him as a mere drug addict. She authored several works, including Samurai Widow in 1990, an oral biography titled Belushi in 2005, and a 2020 documentary to present a more nuanced view of John’s life and struggles.
Judy faced considerable controversy surrounding the publication of Bob Woodward’s book Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi in 1984. Initially, she had authorized the project but later felt betrayed by its portrayal of John. She claimed the book unfairly focused on his drug use rather than his accomplishments and character. Her attempts to prevent the book’s publication, including a lawsuit against Woodward and his publisher, were unsuccessful. Nonetheless, Judy continued to advocate for a more balanced representation of her late husband.
Personal Life
Judy and John Belushi married in 1976. After John’s death, Judy remarried in 1990 to Victor Pisano, a film producer. Together, they had three daughters, Jessica, Rebecca, and Vanessa, and a son, Luke. They later divorced in 2010.
Judy spent much of her later life on Martha’s Vineyard, where she engaged in various nonprofit activities and founded the Second Chance Foundation to help those struggling with addiction.
Despite the challenges and tragedies she faced, Judy found solace in music. She learned to play the ukulele and recorded an album titled Best Days shortly before her death.
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