Nelson Lyon (February 28, 1939 – July 17, 2012) was an American writer, actor, photographer and film director, known for his directorial debut The Telephone Book (1971).
[1] In the 1960s he was an active member of the counterculture movement and was friendly with several key figures, like Andy Warhol and William Burroughs.
He took part in the three-day binge that killed Belushi and later testified against Cathy Evelyn Smith before a grand jury in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
The next few days were a bit of a haze, going from Lyon's home to a private club on Sunset Strip and finally to Belushi's bungalow at the Chateau Marmont.
[3] After Belushi's death, Lyon's character was stained by his association with the case and he struggled to find work.