Even after hitting it big in Second City and Hollywood, actor Dan Aykroyd isn't afraid to tell people where he was born.

"I was born in Ottawa, and I am from the capital of this great nation, I was born July 1, 1952 Canada Day- grandson of a Royal Canadian Military Staff Sergeant," he says.  

Aykroyd returned to his hometown Thursday night to mark 35 years since the release of the iconic musical comedy The Blues Brothers. Aykroyd co-starred in the 1978 movie with John Belushi as Jake and Elwood Blues. The film chronicles the brothers journey to reunite their blues band and save the orphanage they grew up in.

The screening of The Blues Brothers opened the St. Lawrence International Film Festival and proceeds of the screening will benefit the RCMP Foundation. Executive Director of the Film Festival, Adam Paul says it means everything to have Aykroyd participate. "It's icing on the cake, he truly cares about this city, I think he truly cares about the RCMP, and the RCMP Foundation, and he wanted to lend his support, and we are just very fortunate to have him here."

The world was introduced to the Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live, but the characters inspired movies, bands, music venues and a very strong cult following.

Including Doug Smith who drove his own Bluesmobile from Port Hope to chauffeur Aykroyd to the film's screening. He says he has been a fan of the Blues Brothers since the beginning, "It's just such great comedy, great music, it helped revive the blues, back in a time that they were not doing well,"

But Aykroyd says there was no way of predicted just how well the movie would do 35 years ago. "When you go into these things, you never know if they are going to work or not," he says. But regardless of how old the film is, he says Thursday's screening is a special once. "What's cool about (tonight),The Blues Brothers movie is that people will be able to see it on the big screen tonight instead of watching it on cable at 1 a.m. with one eye open," he jokes.

After the film's screening, there was a special musical performance by Downchild Blues Band, with guest appearance by Elwood Blues.