Most People Don't Know That John Belushi's Gravesite Is Found Right Here In Massachusetts
By Kim Falchek|Published December 08, 2023
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Kim Falchek
Author
Kim Falchek has been exploring the towns, trails, and hidden gems of Massachusetts since her college days in Boston. When not writing, Kim enjoys photography, going on road trips, and spending time at the beach. Kim has previously been a contributing writer for LA Family Travel, Global Munchkins, and Latched Mama. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts where she and her family embrace all things Halloween!
If you grew up in Massachusetts or have lived here for a while, you probably know that many notable people are buried in the Bay State. Revolutionary War heroes Samuel Adams and John Hancock have been laid to rest in the Granary Burying Ground in Boston, and authors Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne are buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord. But did you know that Martha’s Vineyard is the final resting place of legendary actor and comedian John Belushi? Or is it?
John Belushi was born in 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. He lived only 33 years but accomplished so much during that brief time.
Belushi was one of the original Saturday Night Live cast members and was well known for his starring roles in films such as National Lampoon's Animal House and The Blues Brothers. Belushi also co-founded The Blues Brothers band.
In 1979, Belushi and his wife, Judith, bought a house on Martha’s Vineyard. It became a peaceful haven where Belushi could be himself.
It is no secret that Belushi battled substance abuse. On March 5, 1982, he overdosed and was found dead at his bungalow at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles.
It seems that in the months after the actor’s death, many fans visited the cemetery to pay tribute to him. These visits unfortunately caused a great deal of littering to his gravesite and the area surrounding it. The littering became so problematic that Belushi’s widow had his body moved to an unmarked gravesite.
There has been much speculation about where Belushi’s final resting place is located.
Many people believe that he rests in a nearby site within Abel's Hill Cemetery. Others speculate that Belushi is buried with his parents at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.
John Belushi’s gravestone in Chilmark remains a popular destination for fans of the iconic actor.
I know that I plan to make it a stop on my next trip to Chilmark.
Have you paid a visit to John Belushi’s grave? Do you think that his remains are still on the Vineyard or have they been removed elsewhere? On your trip to Martha’s Vineyard, be sure to visit the breathtaking Aquinnah Cliffs and stop in for a meal at the iconic Black Dog restaurant.
