In the romantic comedy Return to Me, opening Friday, Jim Belushi doffs his shirt to reveal he hasn't been to a gym lately.

"It wasn't written that I take off my shirt, but I did it as a joke. (Director and co-star) Bonnie Hunt liked the effect so much she kept it in.

"So much for vanity," says Belushi.

There were times when he was a great deal more conscious of his body image.

"When we made (the erotic thriller) Traces of Red back in 1992, Tony Goldwyn and I each had several nude scenes.

"We had trainers for a month before the film started and we lived on lettuce and water for the entire shoot.

"I remember marvelling at the fact Lorraine Bracco was eating chili dogs.

"The day we had our nude scene, I learned why. She had a body double and I guarantee you she hand-picked her."

Belushi has just completed a film for Showtime cable network called Who Killed Atlanta's Children.

"It's based on a true story. I play the reporter who re-investigated the 1984 child murders in Atlanta and exposed the vital things that were missed in the original investigation."

Last year, Belushi made a direct-to-video sequel to his 1989 comedy K-9 called K-911.


More Artists