Jim Belushi is 71 years old. Honestly, it feels like he’s been around forever, mostly because he has. Born on June 15, 1954, in Chicago, the guy has lived about four different lives at this point. You probably remember him as the "everyman" dad on the ABC sitcom According to Jim, or maybe you’re old enough to remember him stepping into his late brother John’s massive shoes on Saturday Night Live back in the eighties.
He isn't just "the brother" anymore. Far from it.
People constantly search for his age because he doesn't really stop moving. While most 71-year-olds are figuring out how to navigate Medicare or perfecting their golf swing, Jim is literally in the mud in southern Oregon. He’s running a massive cannabis operation called Belushi’s Farm. He’s also still acting in some of the most prestige-heavy projects of his career. It's a weird, fascinating trajectory for a guy who started out doing improv at Second City in the late seventies.
Why Jim Belushi Age and Career Longevity Surprises Everyone
Staying relevant for over 45 years in Hollywood is a brutal task. Most people flame out after a decade. Jim? He’s been a cast member on SNL ($1983-1985$), a movie star in the nineties with hits like K-9 and Curly Sue, and a sitcom king for most of the 2000s.
It's about the pivot.
In 2026, he’s enjoying a sort of "renaissance" that most actors his age would kill for. He recently starred in Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, which hit theaters nationwide on January 9, 2026. Critics have been raving about it since it premiered at Cannes last year. It’s a gritty, biographical drama—a far cry from the slapstick humor of Taking Care of Business.
The Family Legacy and Growing Up Belushi
He was the third of four kids. His father, Adam, was an Albanian immigrant who owned restaurants. His mother, Agnes, was the daughter of Albanian immigrants. That "workhorse" mentality is something Jim talks about a lot.
Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, he was always chasing the ghost of John’s talent. John was the "lightning in a bottle," but Jim was the one who stayed the course. After John died in 1982, Jim had to navigate his own grief under a microscope. He joined SNL a year later. Talk about pressure.
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Looking at Jim Belushi at 71: The Oregon Farmer Life
If you haven’t seen his reality show, Growing Belushi, you’re missing out on a very specific kind of chaos. He moved to a 93-acre farm in Eagle Point, Oregon. He calls himself the "Cannabis Cowboy."
It’s not just a hobby. He’s deeply involved in the business. Just last month, in December 2025, he was touring dispensaries in New Jersey—places like ReLeaf in Williamstown and High Rollers in Atlantic City—to promote his production deal with High Grass Farms. He's bringing brands like The Blues Brothers and Big Sur Holy Weed to the East Coast.
He’s genuinely trying to change the stigma. He talks about how cannabis could have helped his brother. It’s personal for him.
- Birth Date: June 15, 1954
- Current Age: 71
- Active Years: 1977–Present
- Key 2026 Project: The Chronology of Water (Wide release Jan 2026)
Addressing the Health Rumors
When a celebrity hits their seventies, the internet starts getting weird. People start looking for "death hoaxes" or health scares. Jim has been pretty open about his life, including his three divorces (most recently from Jennifer Sloan, which finalized around 2021).
Physically, he seems to be doing great. You can see him in recent interviews for The Rhode Show or on his social media; he’s still got that loud, booming Chicago energy. He’s not slowing down. If anything, the farm life seems to have grounded him.
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He recently mentioned in a 2025 interview that "cannabis doesn't kill anybody, alcohol does." He’s clearly focused on wellness and his legacy as a healer rather than just a performer.
The Blues Brothers and Beyond
Even at 71, he still performs as "Brother Zee" Blues alongside Dan Aykroyd. They tour and do shows, keeping that spirit alive. It’s a massive part of who he is.
He’s also done a ton of voice work. You might not realize he was Coach Wittenberg in Hey Arnold! or various characters in The Wild Thornberrys. His voice is unmistakable once you know it's him.
What’s Next for the Actor-Farmer?
Looking ahead through 2026, we’re going to see more of Jim in the prestige film circuit. The Chronology of Water is already picking up award nominations at the Astra Film Awards. There's also talk of a fourth season of Growing Belushi, which would likely document his expansion into new states like New Jersey and Nevada.
He’s also rumored to be in pre-production for a project titled Karate Ghost. Because why not?
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Jim Belushi has managed to outrun the "brother of" label by simply outworking everyone else. At 71, he’s a businessman, an award-winning dramatic actor, a blues singer, and a farmer. He’s basically the ultimate "jack of all trades" who actually mastered a few of them.
If you want to keep up with what he's doing, the best way is to follow the updates from Belushi's Farm or check out The Chronology of Water in theaters. Watching his transition from 80s comedy to 2020s agriculture is a masterclass in reinventing yourself when the world thinks you're done. Check your local theater listings for his latest film, as it's currently expanding to more screens this month.