Dan Aykroyd's younger brother Peter dies aged 66: SNL star's death is announced on show as cast pay tribute

  • Peter Aykroyd, the younger brother of actor Dan Aykroyd, died at the age of 66
  • His death was announced in the most recent episode of Saturday Night Live, where he served as a writer and cast member for the 1979 - 1980 season
  • The sketch comedy aired a title screen with his picture to announce his passing 
  • It also shared a clip of the 1979 Tom Schiller short film Java Junkie, in which the younger Aykroyd starred as coffee addict Joe
  • Aykroyd also appeared in the film Coneheads alongside his brother, Dan, and in the film Spies Like Us
  • He took over his brother's role of Elwood in The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series, which never aired 
  • Most recently, Aykroyd co-created the Canadian sci-fi series Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal with Christopher Chacon

Peter Aykroyd, the younger brother of Dan Aykroyd, has died at the age of 66.

His death was announced in the most recent episode of Saturday Night Live, where he served as a writer and cast member for the 1979 - 1980 season.

The sketch comedy show aired a title screen with his picture to announce his passing, and shared a clip of the 1979 Tom Schiller short film Java Junkie, in which Aykroyd starred as Joe, who gets addicted to coffee and has to go to the Maxwell Health rehabilitation facility.

The show also tweeted about this death. 

Following the announcement of his death, actor and voice artist Wes Johnson paid tribute to the late actor, tweeting: 'Farewell, #PeterAykroyd. Godspeed to you and deepest sympathy to your family.' 

Details of Aykroyd's death were not available as of Sunday morning.

Saturday Night Live announced the passing of Peter Aykroyd on its most recent episode, and tweeted about his death

Saturday Night Live announced the passing of Peter Aykroyd on its most recent episode, and tweeted about his death

Actor and voice artist Wes Johnson paid tribute to the late actor on Twitter

Actor and voice artist Wes Johnson paid tribute to the late actor on Twitter

Saturday Night Live shared a clip of the 1979 Tom Schiller short film Java Junkie, in which Aykroyd starred as coffee-addict Joe

Saturday Night Live shared a clip of the 1979 Tom Schiller short film Java Junkie, in which Aykroyd starred as coffee-addict Joe

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Aykroyd was born in Ottawa, Canada on November 19, 1955.

He began his acting career with minor roles in The New Avengers and SCTV, Deadline reports, and was a member of the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto before joining SNL for the show's fifth season.

He served as a writer and featured cast member for that one season, and received an Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program for SNL shared with several other writers.

Aykroyd also appeared in the film Coneheads alongside his brother, Dan, and in the film Spies Like Us.

Additionally, Aykroyd co-wrote the 1991 film Nothing But Trouble with Dan, who created the movie.

He also took over his brother's role of Elwood in The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series with Jim Belushi, who took over the role of his brother, John, who played 'Joliet' Jake Blues.

Unfortunately, the show was ultimately canceled, and its eight episodes never aired.

Peter Aykroyd, right, starred on the sketch comedy in the 1979 - 1980 season. He is pictured with Mitchell Laurence, playing an orderly, in a sketch, and Eric Idle

Peter Aykroyd, right, starred on the sketch comedy in the 1979 - 1980 season. He is pictured with Mitchell Laurence, playing an orderly, in a sketch, and Eric Idle

Aykroyd, right, is pictured with Harry Shearer and Chevy Chase in a 1980 sketch

Aykroyd, right, is pictured with Harry Shearer and Chevy Chase in a 1980 sketch

Peter took on his brother's role of Elwood in The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series, which was canceled before it aired

Peter took on his brother's role of Elwood in The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series, which was canceled before it aired

Most recently, Aykroyd co-created the Canadian sci-fi series Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal with Christopher Chacon. The series ran for 88 episodes between 1996 to 2000, Newsweek reports.  

His death comes as his brother has been promoting Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the newest installment of the Ghostbusters franchise.

Dan makes a cameo appearance in the film, after starring in the original as Ray Stantz. As he told USA Today, 'It never felt like I took off the jumpsuit or the proton pack. We were recalled into service. And we stepped up.'

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