John Belushi’s Samurai Delicatessen with Buck Henry | SNL Classic One of the sketches that defined early Saturday Night Live: John Belushi’s “Samurai Delicatessen” (1975). Belushi’s over-the-top Samurai character slices through sandwiches, walls, and anything in sight—while Buck Henry plays the straight man, the unlucky customer just trying to order lunch. The contrast between Belushi’s wild physical comedy and Henry’s deadpan reactions made the sketch a timeless SNL moment. This was the birth o

John Belushi (1949–1982) was a groundbreaking comedic force whose raw energy and fearless performances helped redefine American comedy. As one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live, he brought unforgettable characters to life—from the samurai shopkeeper to the unstoppable “Cheeseburger!” diner cook—and became a cultural phenomenon. His starring roles in National Lampoon’s Animal House and The Blues Brothers cemented his status as a comedy legend, blending absurdity, music, and rebe

Ludvig van Belushi. | John Belushi