Ghostbusters star Dan Aykroyd recently resurfaced a 2023 interview where he criticized life in California, describing it as "medieval" when contrasted with the peaceful environment of his native Canada. Aykroyd, 74, made the remarks on the Adam Carolla Show, drawing a stark comparison between his experiences in Los Angeles, noting the prevalence of homeless encampments, and his estate in rural Eastern Ontario.

While praising Santa Monica for its "harmony, peace, joy by the sea," Aykroyd also pointed out the presence of "60,000 homeless" in the area. He suggested that society now exists in "medieval times," necessitating a guarded lifestyle. "I drive very carefully in the car. I don't drive prison hours at night, have a gated place to live ... lock up at night," he stated. Aykroyd expressed a desire for his family to feel safe enough to "run in the park at 1 in the morning," but acknowledged that "we have to be so guarded now."

Carolla echoed Aykroyd's observations, noting the juxtaposition of opulent homes, such as a $200 million property purchased by Jay-Z and Beyoncé in Malibu, with visible homelessness along the routes to these estates. Aykroyd responded that such wealthy individuals are likely to "act to try to alleviate and help in some way."

Aykroyd's reflections were further prompted by a visit from a friend from Israel, who stayed at his Canadian farm. The friend's question about living in a country without war led Aykroyd to consider his own good fortune. "Here I am driving through the bucolic countryside ... and we're in Canada. We're driving to the drugstore to get an ice cream, and he tells me, 'What it is like to live in a country without war?'" Aykroyd recalled, adding, "Boy, do I take things for granted, you know, around this place."

Aykroyd, born in Ottawa, Ontario, is known for his roles in "Ghostbusters," "The Blues Brothers," and his early career on "Saturday Night Live." He also founded Crystal Head Vodka in 2007. He and his wife, Donna Dixon, from whom he separated in 2022, met on the set of the 1982 film "Doctor Detroit."