A Fan site dedicated to the great John Candy
John Franklin Candy was born on October 31st 1950 in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Evangeline and Sidney Candy and younger brother by two years to Jim Candy. He is best known to all of us as the larger than life comic genius who gave us the loveable, if somewhat accidental, heroes from the silverscreen of the 1980's. John appeared in some 40 plus productions after being one of the founding members of the SCTV satirical sketch show, where TV audiences were first treated to some of his energetic and addictive humor, here he gave us such characters as Johnny LaRue and Yosh Schmenge, one half of the Leutonian polka duet with Eugene Levy as his brother, Stan. Although already having a number of starring roles under his belt, John's first collaboration with director John Hughes in 1987's "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" saw him win millions of hearts as the lonely chatterbox salesman Del Griffith, being a source of constant annoyance to the uptight marketing executive, Neil Page, played by Steve Martin. John's portrayal of Del brought the character to "real life" Del Griffith could be just like anybody you may meet on a flight or any long distance journey, chatting away to anyone who'll listen to escape the lonliness of life on the road away from home. John played parts in such a way that not only could you relate to them, you felt as though you knew them, films that you never tire of watching because each time you see them, it's like catching up with an old friend. Another favourite amognst Candy fans is 1989's "Uncle Buck" (pictured above) again directed by John Hughes. What kid wouldn't want this "Crazy, Out-of-Work, Bum Uncle" in their house, watching as he microwaved their socks. Buck Russell the big-hearted Peter Pan type played by John here is the kind of guy that puts everyone else first and in his endeavours to please and spread happiness the odd one or two things can go wrong, but what's a few bushes catching on fire or a pan rack being torn from the kitchen ceiling or even an antique plate being smashed on a piano, when you can look at that big smile and know he didn't mean it, he was just trying his best!
Sadly, the world lost one of it's finest laughter givers on March 4th 1994, when John was in Durango, Mexico making the film "Wagons East" he died of a heart attack in his sleep, he was 43.
He is survived by his widow, Rosemary and his two children, Jennifer & Christopher.
