Dan Aykroyd Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Dan Aykroyd’s Net Worth and Salary Overview

The net worth of Dan Aykroyd, a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, and entrepreneur, stands at $250 million. He kickstarted his career as a member of the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto, and later he took on a role in “Saturday Night Live” between 1975 and 1979. While on “SNL,” Aykroyd was known for creating iconic characters and sketches, notably partnering with John Belushi to form the Blues Brothers.

His film career gained momentum with comedic roles in classics like “The Blues Brothers” (1980), “Ghostbusters” (1984), and “Dragnet” (1987), where he not only starred but also co-wrote the scripts, demonstrating his dual talent in writing and acting. Additionally, he showcased his dramatic abilities in films like “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) and “My Girl” (1991).

Throughout his diverse career, Aykroyd contributed to various television endeavors, including the sitcom “Soul Man” (1997-1998) that he headlined. He also appeared in guest roles and provided voice work for animated series like “The Real Ghostbusters” (1986-1991).

In 1992, Aykroyd co-founded the House of Blues concert venue and restaurant chain, followed by the launch of Crystal Head Vodka in 2007, packaged in distinct crystal skull-shaped bottles. By 2018, the company’s revenue had exceeded $80 million.

Early Years

Daniel Edward Aykroyd was born on July 1, 1952, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His mother, Lorraine, served as a secretary, while his father, Samuel (often referred to as “Peter”), was a civil engineer and author, who acted as a policy advisor during Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s administration.

He has a younger brother named Peter, who ventured into acting and writing. Dan was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age 12 and identified with Asperger’s syndrome in the early 1980s; he was also born with webbed feet. Raised in a Catholic family, he initially aimed to become a priest but redirected his ambitions at age 17. Aykroyd was educated at St. Pius X High School and St. Patrick’s High School, ultimately studying sociology and criminology at Carleton University, which he left before graduating to pursue comedy in Canadian nightclubs. He joined the Second City comedy troupe in 1973 and also ran a speakeasy named Club 505.

Career Journey

Dan’s television journey began at 17 on the Canadian sketch comedy series “The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour,” which aired from 1970 to 1971, featuring Hart Pomerantz and Lorne Michaels. Michaels later brought Aykroyd onto “Saturday Night Live,” where he contributed as both a writer and performer from 1975 to 1979, portraying beloved characters including Yortuk Festrunk, Beldar Conehead, and Elwood Blues. The duo of Blues Brothers earned their own film in 1980, with John Goodman stepping in for the late John Belushi in the 1998 sequel, “Blues Brothers 2000.” Dan co-starred alongside Belushi in “1941” (1979) and “Neighbors” (1981), and although he initially planned to co-star in “Ghostbusters,” he rewrote the role of Peter Venkman for Bill Murray after Belushi’s tragic passing in 1982. The 1984 film garnered $295.7 million globally, leading to the 1989 sequel, a 2016 reboot (where Aykroyd made a cameo as a cab driver), and an animated series, “The Real Ghostbusters,” which aired from 1986 to 1991. Aykroyd reprised his role for “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” scheduled for release in 2021.

In 1983, Dan shared the screen with Eddie Murphy in “Trading Places,” followed by writing and starring in “Spies Like Us” (1987) and “Dragnet” (1987). He appeared in “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989), directed and starred in “Nothing But Trouble” (1991), and featured in “Coneheads” (1993) and “Tommy Boy” (1995). Aykroyd began hosting “Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal,” created by his brother, from 1996 until 2000. He starred in the ABC sitcom “Soul Man” from 1997 to 1998, playing a widowed priest. Throughout the 2000s, Dan acted in over two dozen films, including “Evolution” (2000), “50 First Dates” (2004), “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” (2007), and “Tammy” (2014).

Salary from Ghostbusters

To obtain the rights for the sought-after “Ghostbusters” script, Columbia Pictures made generous salary arrangements, as negotiated by Michael Ovitz from CAA. The three lead actors (Aykroyd, Murray, Ramis) and director Ivan Reitman agreed to split 30% of the film’s box office, home video sales, and network licensing revenues. This ultimately totaled $300 million, dividing to $75 million each. When adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to about $200 million per person!

For the sequel, the principal cast received an even more lucrative arrangement: each actor earned a $6 million upfront salary, plus they split 35% of the gross. “Ghostbusters II” was slightly less lucrative, with around $215 million earned at the box office, leading to a conservative estimate of $50 million for each principal, translating to approximately $110 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Thus, without inflation adjustments, Dan Aykroyd earned around $125 million from the initial two Ghostbusters films, which equates to approximately $310 million in today’s money once inflation is accounted for.

As the film’s creator and screenwriter, Dan has amassed millions through subsequent sequels, merchandise, comic books, and more.

Insights into Personal Life

In 1980, Dan was engaged to “The Blues Brothers” co-star Carrie Fisher, but she later rekindled her romance with Paul Simon. On April 29, 1983, Aykroyd wed actress Donna Dixon, and they share three daughters: Danielle (born November 1989), Belle (born June 1993), and Stella (born April 1998). He shared a close friendship with John Belushi, referring to him as both a brother and kindred spirit, and he was deeply affected by Belushi’s death.

Aykroyd has also served in law enforcement as a reserve commander for the Harahan, Louisiana police and a reserve deputy for Hinds County Sheriff’s Department in Mississippi. An avid Spiritualist, he has pursued interests in UFOlogy, being a member of MUFON and serving as its Hollywood consultant. His fascination with UFOs inspired him to host “Psi Factor” and to produce the DVD “Dan Aykroyd: Unplugged on UFOs.” In 2009, Dan’s father released a book chronicling the Aykroyd’s family history in Spiritualism, to which Dan contributed an introduction and aided in promoting the publication titled “A History of Ghosts.”

Recognitions and Achievements

Dan shared an Emmy award in 1977 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series as part of the “Saturday Night Live” writing team. He received an Oscar nomination for his role in “Driving Miss Daisy” in 1990. Carleton University honored him with an honorary Doctor of Literature degree in 1994, followed by a Snuffed Candle Award from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry in 1997 for his work on “Psi Factor.” In 2002, he was honored with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and received appointments to both the Order of Canada in 1999 and the Order of Ontario in 2017.

Real Estate Ventures

In 1988, Dan along with his brother acquired a 4,176 square foot residence in Los Angeles for $732,500.In 2008, it was sold for $2.13 million. Aykroyd purchased a 4-bedroom residence in the Pacific Palisades in 2007 for $14.5 million, and in the next year, he sold his Hollywood Hills home, which was 4,828 square feet, for $3.8 million. In 2014, Dan listed the Pacific Palisades property for rent, setting the price at $45,000 monthly.

Crystal Head Vodka

In 2007, alongside a partner, Dan started a vodka company named Crystal Head Vodka with an investment of $600,000. This triple-distilled vodka comes in unique crystal bottles shaped like human skulls. By 2011, the company’s annual revenue exceeded $55 million, and today it ranges between $80 million and $100 million.