John Candy | |
|---|---|
 Candy in 1993 | |
| Born | John Franklin Candy (1950-10-31)October 31, 1950 Newmarket, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | March 4, 1994(1994-03-04) (aged 43) |
| Burial place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City,California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1971–1994 |
| Television | Second City Television |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
John Franklin Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994)[1] was a Canadian actor and comedian who was best known for his work inHollywood films. Candy first rose to national prominence in the 1970s as a member of theToronto branch ofThe Second City and itsSCTV sketch comedy series. He rose to international fame in the 1980s with his roles in comedy films such asStripes (1981),Splash (1984),Brewster's Millions (1985),Summer Rental (1985),Armed and Dangerous (1986),Spaceballs (1987),Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987),The Great Outdoors (1988),Uncle Buck (1989),Who's Harry Crumb? (1989), andCool Runnings (1993). He also appeared in supporting roles inThe Blues Brothers (1980),National Lampoon's Vacation (1983),Little Shop of Horrors (1986),Home Alone (1990),Nothing but Trouble (1991), andRookie of the Year (1993).
In addition to his work as an actor, Candy was a co-owner of theToronto Argonauts of theCanadian Football League (CFL), and the team won the1991 Grey Cup under his ownership. He died of a heart attack in 1994 at the age of 43; his final two film appearances,Wagons East (1994) andCanadian Bacon (1995), are dedicated to his memory.
John Franklin Candy was born on October 31, 1950, in Newmarket, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario.[2] He was brought up in aworking-classCatholic family.[3] His childhood home was at 217 Woodville Avenue inToronto, Ontario.[4] Candy's father, Sidney James (1920–1955), was born toEnglish parents who immigrated toCanada in 1913,[5] and his mother, Evangeline Valeria (née Aker; 1916–2009), was of Ukrainian andPolish descent.[6]: 19 His father died of complications ofheart disease at age 35 in 1955 on John's fifth birthday.[7]
Candy attendedNeil McNeil Catholic High School where he was the treasurer of the student council and was a staroffensive tackle on the school'sfootball team and participated in drama club. Long before considering acting, Candy dreamed of becoming a professional football player but a knee injury during his high school football career prevented him from fulfilling his dream.[8][9] He later enrolled inCentennial College to study journalism, and then went toMcMaster University.[10][11] He started acting while at college.[citation needed]
In 1971, Candy was cast in a small part as aShriner inCreeps by David E. Freeman, a new Canadian play aboutcerebral palsy, in the inaugural season of theTarragon Theatre in Toronto.[6]: 22 Candy guest-starred on a Canadian children's television series,Cucumber, and made a brief, uncredited appearance inClass of '44 (1973) as his feature film debut. He had a small part inThe ABC Afternoon Playbreak ("Last Bride of Salem") and had a regular role on the TV seriesDr. Zonk and the Zunkins (1974–75). He played the role of Wally Wypyzypywchuk in the CBC children's show Coming Up Rosie (1975).
Candy became a member of Toronto's branch ofThe Second City in 1972.[12] He gained wideNorth American popularity when he became a cast member on the influential Toronto-based comedy-variety showSecond City Television (SCTV).NBC picked the show up in 1981 and quickly became a fan favourite. It wonEmmy Awards for the show's writing in 1981 and 1982.[13] Among Candy'sSCTV characters were unscrupulous street-beat TV personality Johnny LaRue, 3-D horrorauteur Doctor Tongue,sycophantic and easily amused talk-show sidekick William B. Williams, and Melonville's corrupt Mayor Tommy Shanks.
In 1974, Candy made his TV debut when he appeared on theCanadian TV showPolice Surgeon, playing street gang and heist member Ramone in "Target: Ms. Blue",[14] and in a later episode the same season as Richie, an accused killer, in the episode "Web of Guilt".[15] He was inIt Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (1975), shot in Canada, as well as the children's sitcomComing Up Rosie (1975–78) withDan Aykroyd. Candy had a small role inTunnel Vision (1976).
During the series's run he appeared in films such asThe Clown Murders (1976) and had a lead in a low-budget comedy,Find the Lady (1976) (both co-starring fellow Canadian actorLawrence Dane). In 1976, Candy played a supporting role (withRick Moranis) onPeter Gzowski's short-lived late-night television talk show90 Minutes Live. In 1978, Candy had a small role as a bank employee (withChristopher Plummer andElliott Gould) in the Canadian thrillerThe Silent Partner. He guest starred on such shows asThe David Steinberg Show andKing of Kensington.
In 1979, Candy took a briefhiatus fromSCTV, which moved toEdmonton for a time. Candy stayed in Toronto and headlined his own short-lived sketch showBig City Comedy. He also began a more active film career, appearing in a minor role inLost and Found (1979) and playing aU.S. Army soldier inSteven Spielberg's big-budget comedy1941. He returned toCanada for roles inThe Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog (1980) and the action thrillerDouble Negative (1980). He had a supporting role as easygoing parole officer Burton Mercer inThe Blues Brothers (1980), starring Aykroyd, and did an episode ofTales of the Klondike (1981) for Canadian TV.
In 1980, Candy hosted a short-lived NBC television program,Roadshow, described by The Washington Post as "improvisational journalism".[16]
Candy played the lovable, mild-mannered Army recruit Dewey Oxberger inStripes (1981), directed by CanadianIvan Reitman, which was one of the most successful films of the year. He provided voices for multiple characters in the animated filmHeavy Metal (1981), most notably as the title character in the "Den" segment, which was well-received,[17] including by the character's creator,Richard Corben, who singled out Candy's humorously lighthearted interpretation of the title character as excellent.[18]
From 1981 to 1983, Candy returned toSCTV Network on television. Still based in Edmonton for Candy's first few episodes after returning, the show returned to Toronto in 1982. He made a cameo appearance inHarold Ramis'National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), his first collaboration withJohn Hughes, who wrote the script. Candy appeared onSaturday Night Live twice (hosting in 1983) while still appearing onSCTV. According to writer-comedianBob Odenkirk, Candy was reputedly the "most-burned potential host" ofSNL, in that he was asked to host many times, only for plans to be changed by theSNL staff at the last minute.[19] Candy headlined in the Canadian filmGoing Berserk (1983).
Candy once again leftSCTV in 1983, prior to its final season, to concentrate on his film career. He was approached to play the character of accountant Louis Tully inGhostbusters (1984), starring Aykroyd and directed by Reitman, but ultimately did not get the role because of his conflicting ideas of how to play the character; the part went instead to SCTV colleagueRick Moranis, whose ideas were better received. However, Candy did make a contribution to the franchise, as one of the many people chanting "Ghostbusters" in the video forRay Parker Jr.'s hitsingle for the film.
Candy playedTom Hanks's womanizing brother in the hit romantic comedySplash, generally considered his break-out role.[20] After the success of the film, he had signed a three-picture development and producing deal withWalt Disney Pictures, and he would develop and executive produce various theatricals as planned starring vehicles for himself.[21]
Candy went back to Canada to star inThe Last Polka (1985), which he also wrote with co-starEugene Levy. He wasRichard Pryor's best friend inBrewster's Millions (1985) and had a cameo in theSesame Street filmFollow That Bird (1985). Candy's first lead role in a Hollywood film came withSummer Rental (1985), directed byCarl Reiner.[22] He was reunited with Hanks inVolunteers (1985), though the film did not do as well asSplash. He had a cameo inThe Canadian Conspiracy (1985) and appeared alongside Martin Short inDave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood (1985) in Canada. Candy's next starring role in a Hollywood film was the box office disappointmentArmed and Dangerous (1986) with Levy andMeg Ryan.[23] He had a cameo inLittle Shop of Horrors (1986) and appeared inReally Weird Tales (1987). He also had a supporting role inMel Brooks'sSpaceballs (1987).
In 1987, Candy co-starred inPlanes, Trains & Automobiles withSteve Martin, written and directed byJohn Hughes. The film had positive reviews.[24] The film grossed $49,530,280 at the US box office.[25] He appeared in a cameo role inHughes'sShe's Having a Baby (1988) and then starred in a film written by Hughes,The Great Outdoors (1988) which co-starred Aykroyd.
Candy provided the voice for Don the Horse inHot to Trot (1988) and starred in a flop comedy, considered by some to be a cult classic,Who's Harry Crumb? (1989), which he also produced. He was also in the box office flopSpeed Zone akaCannonball Fever (1989), however, he had another hit film with Hughes as writer and director inUncle Buck (1989). Candy also produced and starred in a Saturday-morning animated series on NBC titledCamp Candy in 1989. The show was set in a fictional summer camp run by Candy, featuring his two children in supporting roles, and also spawned a brief comic book series published byMarvel Comics'Star Comics imprint.[26] During this time, he also made the television filmThe Rocket Boy (1989) in Canada.
Candy also provided the voice of Wilbur the Albatross in Disney's animated filmThe Rescuers Down Under (1990) and had cameos in two more films written by Hughes, the blockbuster hit filmHome Alone (1990) and the box office flopCareer Opportunities (1991). According to Candy's biography, he was in talks to play Bette Midler's working-class husband in the 1990 filmStella. However, when he was informed that Midler demanded he do a screen test, Candy became incredulous proclaiming "Who the (expletive) does she think she is?!" and declined.John Goodman was eventually cast in the role. From 1988 to 1990, Candy hosted "Radio Kandy", ahot adult contemporary radio music countdown syndicated byPremiere Networks.
In 1991,Chris Columbus wrote and directedOnly the Lonely with John Hughes serving as co-producer, and starring Candy andMaureen O'Hara; it was well reviewed but not a big hit. Candy also had a supporting role inNothing But Trouble (1991), Dan Aykroyd's notorious box office flop. Also unsuccessful were the comediesDelirious (1991) andOnce Upon a Crime... (1992). During this time, Candy played a small dramatic role asDean Andrews Jr., a shady Southern lawyer inOliver Stone'sJFK (1991), and had a cameo in the television filmBoris and Natasha: The Movie (1992). Candy starred in his first comedic hit in a number of years withCool Runnings (1993), a story of the firstJamaican national bobsleigh team attempting to make it to the1988 Winter Olympics. He also had a cameo in the successfulRookie of the Year (1993). He made his directorial debut in the 1994 comedy television filmHostage for a Day. His last appearances were inWagons East (1994) andCanadian Bacon (1995).[27][28]
Candy was in talks to portray Ignatius J. Reilly in a now-shelved film adaptation ofJohn Kennedy Toole'sPulitzer Prize–winning novelA Confederacy of Dunces.[29][30][31] He had also expressed interest in portrayingAtuk in a film adaptation ofMordecai Richler'sThe Incomparable Atuk andRoscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in a biopic based on thesilent film comedian's life.[32][33] These three shelved projects have been alleged as cursed because Candy,John Belushi,Sam Kinison, andChris Farley were each attached to all three films; they all died before they could make any of these movies.[34][35] Candy was originally considered to playAlec Guinness' role in theremake of the 1950 filmLast Holiday, withCarl Reiner directing.[36] Eventually the role was played byQueen Latifah in aloose remake released in 2006.[34] Candy was also slated to collaborate with John Hughes again in a comedy oppositeSylvester Stallone, titledBartholomew vs. Neff. Candy and Stallone were to have portrayed feuding neighbors.[37][38] In the animatedDisney filmPocahontas, the role of Redfeather the Turkey was written for him, but was subsequently cut from the film after his death.[39]Stephen King reportedly wanted Candy to portray Billy Halleck in thefilm adaptation of his novelThinner.[40]
Candy and his wife Rosemary Hobor had two children, Christopher Michael and Jennifer Anne.[41] He was aRoman Catholic.[42]
Candy was a longtime resident ofBrentwood, Los Angeles.[43]
In 1991,Bruce McNall,Wayne Gretzky, and Candy became owners of theCanadian Football League'sToronto Argonauts.[44][45] The celebrity ownership group attracted attention in Canada, and the team spent a significant amount of money, even signing some highly toutedNational Football League prospects such as wide receiverRaghib Ismail. The Argonauts took home the1991 Grey Cup, beating Calgary 36–21 in the final.[46] Only McNall's name was originally etched onto theGrey Cup trophy as an owner of the team, but in 2007, Candy's and Gretzky's names were added as well.[47]
Candy publicly shared his experiences of living with severeanxiety andpanic attacks.[48]
Candy died in his sleep at the age of 43, on March 4, 1994, inDurango, Mexico, while filmingWagons East; a spokeswoman said that Candy's cause of death was aheart attack.[49][50] He struggled with obesity and weighed more than 375 pounds (170 kg) at some points in his life.[50] Candy had a number ofrisk factors for heart attack, including strong family history (his father had died prematurely of a heart attack, although his children say he was unaware of his genetic risk),[41] smoking a pack ofcigarettes a day,[51]obesity,alcohol abuse, andcocaine use.[51] However, Candy was concerned about his weight. He once lost 100 pounds (45 kg) over a summer while preparing to filmPlanes, Trains and Automobiles. He frequently dieted and exercised with trainers because of his family history.[50][41][52][53]
Candy's funeral was held atSt. Martin of Tours Catholic Church inLos Angeles with a eulogy byDan Aykroyd.[54][55]
On March 18, 1994, a special memorial service for Candy, produced by his former improvisation troupe the Second City, was broadcast across Canada.[56]Catherine O'Hara gave the eulogy, and O'Hara's sister,Mary Margaret O'Hara sang her songDark, Dear Heart.[57][58]
Wagons East was completed using a stunt double and special effects and released five months after Candy's death. His final completed film wasCanadian Bacon, a satirical comedy byMichael Moore released a year after Candy's death. Candy played American sheriff Bud Boomer, who led an "invasion" of Canada. Candy recorded a voice for the TV filmThe Magic 7 in the early 1990s. The film remained in production for years owing to animation difficulties and production delays, and it was eventually shelved.
Candy was posthumously inducted intoCanada's Walk of Fame in 1998.[59] In May 2006, Candy became one of the first four entertainers ever honoured byCanada Post by being featured on a postage stamp.[60] On October 31, 2020, Toronto MayorJohn Tory proclaimed "John Candy Day" in honour of what would have been John Candy's 70th birthday.
Blues Brothers 2000 is dedicated to three people, including Candy, who played a supporting role in the originalBlues Brothers. A tribute to Candy was hosted byDan Aykroyd at the2007 Grey Cup festivities in Toronto in November 2007.[46]
Experimental rock bandWeen's albumChocolate and Cheese, released in 1994, is "dedicated in loving memory to John Candy (1950–1994)". At the time lead singerGene Ween remarked, "There was so much going on about [thesuicide of]Kurt Cobain, and nobody mentioned John Candy at all. I have a special little spot in my heart for him."[61]
After his death, the John Candy Visual Arts Studio atNeil McNeil Catholic High School in Toronto was dedicated in his honour. Candy, one of the school's most famous alumni, said during one of his annual visits to the school, "My success is simply rooted in the values and discipline and respect for others that I was taught at Neil McNeil." It has been suggested, among others, that theCanadian Screen Awards be given the official nickname "The Candys", both in honour of the actor and because the name suggests Canada.[62]
American comedianConan O'Brien credits Candy as giving him advice that led to his career in comedy. O'Brien met Candy while at Harvard and said, "Mr. Candy... I'm thinking I might try comedy." To this, Candy replied very seriously: "You don't try comedy. You do it or you don't do it."[63]
John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary film about Candy's life and career, was directed byColin Hanks and produced byRyan Reynolds. It premiered on September 4, 2025, as the opening film of theToronto International Film Festival.[64] Some archival footage of Candy was also seen in the documentary filmYou Had To Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way), which premiered at the same festival two days later.[65]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Class of '44 | Paule | Uncredited |
| 1975 | It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time | Kopek | |
| 1976 | Tunnel Vision | Cooper | |
| The Clown Murders | Ollie | ||
| Find the Lady | Kopek | ||
| 1978 | The Silent Partner | Simonsen | |
| 1979 | Lost and Found | Carpentier | |
| 1941 | Pvt. Foley | ||
| 1980 | Deadly Companion | John | |
| The Blues Brothers | Parole Officer Burton Mercer | ||
| 1981 | Stripes | Dewey "Ox" Oxberger | |
| Heavy Metal | Den / Dan, Desk Sergeant, Robot | Voice roles | |
| 1982 | It Came from Hollywood | Himself | |
| 1983 | National Lampoon's Vacation | Russ Lasky | |
| Going Berserk | John Bourgignon | ||
| 1984 | Splash | Freddie Bauer | |
| 1985 | Brewster's Millions | Spike Nolan | |
| Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird | The Policeman | ||
| Summer Rental | Jack Chester | ||
| Volunteers | Tom Tuttle | ||
| 1986 | Armed and Dangerous | Frank Dooley | |
| Little Shop of Horrors | Wink Wilkinson | ||
| 1987 | Spaceballs | Barf | |
| Planes, Trains and Automobiles | Del Griffith | ||
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby | Chet (fromThe Great Outdoors) | Uncredited |
| The Great Outdoors | Chester "Chet" Ripley | ||
| Hot to Trot | Don | Voice role | |
| 1989 | Who's Harry Crumb? | Harry Crumb | Also executive producer |
| Speed Zone | Charlie Cronan | a.k.a.Cannonball Fever[66] | |
| Uncle Buck | Buck Russell | ||
| 1990 | Masters of Menace | Beer Truck Driver | |
| Home Alone | Gus Polinski – Polka King of the Midwest | ||
| The Rescuers Down Under | Wilbur | Voice role | |
| 1991 | Nothing but Trouble | Dennis Valkenheiser, Eldona Valkenheiser | |
| Career Opportunities | C. D. Marsh | Uncredited | |
| Only the Lonely | Danny Muldoon | ||
| Delirious | Jack Gable | ||
| JFK | Dean Andrews Jr. | ||
| 1992 | Once Upon a Crime | Augie Morosco | |
| 1993 | Rookie of the Year | Cliff Murdoch (announcer) | Uncredited |
| Cool Runnings | Irving "Irv" Blitzer | ||
| 1994 | Wagons East | James Harlow | Released posthumously |
| 1995 | Canadian Bacon | Sheriff Bud Boomer | Filmed in 1993;[67] released posthumously |
| 2025 | John Candy: I Like Me | Himself | Documentary; archival footage |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Cucumber | Weatherman | Unknown episodes |
| Dr. Simon Locke | Richie Beck / Ramon | 2 episodes | |
| 1974 | The ABC Afternoon Playbreak | 2nd son | Episode: "Last Bride of Salem" |
| Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins | Unknown episodes | ||
| 1976 | The David Steinberg Show | Spider Reichman / Spider | 6 episodes |
| 90 Minutes Live | (various) | TV series | |
| 1976–1977 | Coming Up Rosie | Wally Wypyzypychwk | TV series (with Rosemary Radcliffe, Dan Aykroyd and Catherine O'Hara) |
| 1976–1979 | Second City TV | Johnny LaRue / / Various | 50 episodes |
| 1977 | King of Kensington | Bandit | Episode: "The Hero" |
| 1980 | The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog | Pinky | Television film |
| Big City Comedy | Himself (host) / various | Television series (sketch comedy) | |
| Roadshow | Himself (host) / various | "Improvisational journalism" (at least 2 episodes) | |
| 1981 | Tales of the Klondike | Hans Nelson | Miniseries 1 episode |
| Saturday Night Live | Juan Gavino | Episode: "George Kennedy/Miles Davis" (uncredited) | |
| 1981–1983 | SCTV Network 90 | Johnny LaRue / Zontar / Dr. Tongue / Yosh Shmenge / Various | 38 episodes |
| 1982 | The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour | Orson Welles | 1 episode |
| 1983 | Saturday Night Live | Host | Episode: "John Candy/Men at Work" |
| SCTV Channel | Various | Episode: "Maudlin O' the Night" | |
| 1984 | The New Show | Luciano Pavarotti / Orson Welles / Various | 5 episodes |
| 1985 | Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas | Marcel | Television film |
| The Canadian Conspiracy | (various) | Television film | |
| The Last Polka | Yosh Shmenge, Pa Shmenge | Television film | |
| 1986 | Really Weird Tales | Howard Jensen | Episode: "Cursed with Charisma" |
| 1988 | Sesame Street, Special | Yosh Shmenge | Television film |
| 1989 | The Rocket Boy | The Hawk | Television film |
| Camp Candy | Himself, Yosh Shmenge, Dr. Tongue, Various | 40 episodes, main voice role | |
| The Wonderful World of Disney | Himself | Episode: "Donald, the Star-Struck Duck" | |
| 1990 | The Dave Thomas Comedy Show | One episode | |
| 1992 | Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories | Narrator | Episode: "Blumpoe the Grumpoe Meets Arnold the Cat/Millions of Cats" |
| Boris and Natasha: The Movie | Kalishak | Television film | |
| 1994 | Hostage for a Day | Yuri Petrovich | Final television film |
| Year | Song title | Artist | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Ghostbusters" | Ray Parker Jr. | Himself | Cameo; uncredited |
| 1991 | "Wilbury Twist" | Traveling Wilburys | Himself | Cameo; uncredited |
