Arte - Too Young to Die Series 1 (2012) Part 2 John Belushi

Brilliant. Gifted. Legendary. Whether taken by murder, drugs, or suicide, the names of these late stars live on forever. Their achievements rendered them iconic and aided in defining their legacy, even while off-screen demons haunted them. Too Young to Die grants viewers a chance to go beyond the myth and get a glimpse into the private lives and personas of those who were simply too young to die. Despite their success and early fame, the lives of these noted celebrities Heath Ledger, dead at 28 of prescription drug intoxication; John Belushi, dead at 33 of a speedball overdose; Kurt Cobain, 27 years old when he shot himself in the head; and Sharon Tate, 26 and pregnant when she was killed in the grisly Charles Manson cult murders ended in tragedy. In this riveting series, explore how the gap between actual life and public reporting helped to create these contemporary legends. “Too Young to Die” portrays the individuals behind the myth.

Part 2 John Belushi

They called him “Killer Belushi” when he was young. John was the star of the football team, drummer of the high school band and a brilliant actor. Many followed the meteoric rise of this young man, who had an explosive temperament and an extreme personality, with irresistible fascination. His breakthrough came in Chicago in an off-theater troupe, becoming a star in his mid-twenties in New York with “Saturday Night Live”. His “Blues Brothers” albums sold millions. It only took seven films to make John Belushi unforgettable. The film portrays one of the greatest American show stars of his time, shows the rapid rise and deep fall of his career and offers unparalleled insights into both the film and show business of the 70s and 80s as well as the character of one of its most prominent victims. Interviews with close family members, fellow actors and directors as well as never seen before private films from the John Belushi estate draw a sensitive portrait of the brilliant actor and shed light on the cirmustances behind the tragedy of his untimely death.

Full Version Available Upon Request
Episode One Shown Here