Peter Aykroyd, former Saturday Night Live cast member and writer, and brother of Dan Aykroyd, has died aged 66.
His passing was announced during SNL (November 20), hosted by Shang-Chi star Simu Liu, which aired a clip from a short film starring the actor titled Java Junkie. His cause of death hasn’t been released.
The clip, a noir parody where Aykroyd plays a character addicted to coffee, ends with a title card in tribute to the former cast member.
Peter Aykroyd
1955-2021
SNL '79-'80
"The Java Junkie" pic.twitter.com/5IJWJTezgz— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 21, 2021
Born November 19, 1955 in Ottawa, Aykroyd began his entertainment career with roles in The New Avengers and SCTV.
He joined Saturday Night Live in 1979 as a writer and cast member, earning an Emmy nomination the following year alongside several other writers for Outstanding Writing In A Variety Or Music Program.
He worked alongside his older brother throughout his career, starring in films like Coneheads and Spies Like Us. They also co-wrote 1991 film Nothing But Trouble together.
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Alongside Christopher Chacon, Aykroyd also served as a co-creator on Canadian paranormal series PSI Factor: Chronicles Of The Paranormal, hosted by his brother. He also had a voice role in The Blues Brothers Animated Series alongside Jim Belushi.
Additional acting credits include Kids Of The Round Table, Leo & Liz In Beverly Hills and Justice.
Former Saturday Night Live writers have since paid tribute. Alan Zweibel, who previously worked with the actor, wrote on Twitter: “He was very funny, really nice guy who starred in Tom Schiller’s short ‘The Java Junkie’ & contributed to the soundtrack of ‘Dragnet’ – a movie I co-wrote w/his brother Dan.
“My fondest thoughts & condolences go out to Danny & the Aykroyd family.”