James Belushi is an American actor who claims to be of Albanian descent. In recent years he has taken a more active interest in his origins.
From the wiki article about his brother John, the following is stated:
Unfortunately, the link for that source is no longer active. But it would make sense given that they were Orthodox and that their churches were under the sway of Greek-speaking clerics. The name appears quite familiar for Macedonians from the Aegean who originally had surnames like Belev and/or Belov, which were forcibly changed to surnames like Belios and/or Velios. I have looked up the word 'Belushi' in some Albanian dictionaries but haven't found any meaning for the word in that language. Perhaps one of our Albanian participants could advise.
Anyway, the Belushi family were from a village called Qyteze, which is located in the Korche region, where there are several places inhabited by Macedonians. I am not trying to imply they have a Macedonian background (not that I enitrely discount the possibility) or that they are Macedonians, because they clearly identify as Albanians. But I thought the above information was interesting nonetheless.
Saturday, 15 November 2008.
Albania’s President Bamir Topi decorated the Hollywood actor James (Jim) Belushi with title 'honour of the nation' during a TV show held this week in Tirana.
The title was given to the star of the hit TV comedy because of his “love and dignity for his Albanian origins and Albania,” said Topi.
Belushi was born in Chicago as the third of four children of Adam Belushi, an Albanian immigrant who left his native Qyteze village in 1934 at the age of 15, and Agnes, who was born in the US to Albanian immigrants. His brother John Belushi was also a famous comedian and actor.
“This is an important and heavy award with a big burden, which I don’t know if I merit,” said Belushi. “I was born and raised in America, but my genes are Albanian,” he added.
Albania’s President Bamir Topi decorated the Hollywood actor James (Jim) Belushi with title 'honour of the nation' during a TV show held this week in Tirana.
The title was given to the star of the hit TV comedy because of his “love and dignity for his Albanian origins and Albania,” said Topi.
Belushi was born in Chicago as the third of four children of Adam Belushi, an Albanian immigrant who left his native Qyteze village in 1934 at the age of 15, and Agnes, who was born in the US to Albanian immigrants. His brother John Belushi was also a famous comedian and actor.
“This is an important and heavy award with a big burden, which I don’t know if I merit,” said Belushi. “I was born and raised in America, but my genes are Albanian,” he added.
Belushi was born in Wheaton, Illinois, the son of Agnes Belushi (née Samaras), a first generation Albanian-American, and Adam Belushi (1918–1996), an Albanian immigrant and restaurant operator who left his native village, Qytezë, in 1934 at the age of sixteen. The family's name at the time of immigration was Bellios, or Belliors. Belushi was raised in the Albanian Orthodox church...........
Anyway, the Belushi family were from a village called Qyteze, which is located in the Korche region, where there are several places inhabited by Macedonians. I am not trying to imply they have a Macedonian background (not that I enitrely discount the possibility) or that they are Macedonians, because they clearly identify as Albanians. But I thought the above information was interesting nonetheless.
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