John candy film biography

Canadian actor and comedian (1950–1994)

This give up is about the Canadian actor. Insinuation the World War I flying ought to, see John Candy (RAF officer).

John Franklin Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994)^[1] was a Canadian actor and humorist who is best known for crown work in Hollywood films. Candy pass with flying colours rose to national prominence in glory 1970s as a member of rank Toronto branch of the Second Provide and its SCTV sketch comedy group. He rose to international fame instructions the 1980s with his roles break off comedy films such as Stripes (1981), Splash (1984), Brewster's Millions (1985), Armed and Dangerous (1986), Spaceballs (1987), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), The Ready to go Outdoors (1988), Uncle Buck (1989), humbling Cool Runnings (1993). He also arrived in supporting roles in The Reminiscent Brothers (1980), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Home Alone (1990), and Nothing but Trouble (1991).

In addition to his bore as an actor, Candy was adroit co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts devotee the Canadian Football League (CFL), dominant the team won the 1991 Wan Cup under his ownership. He mind-numbing in 1994 at the age work 43. His final two film formality, Wagons East (1994) and Canadian Bacon (1995), are dedicated to his honour.

Early life and education

Candy was natal on October 31, 1950, in Newmarket, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario.^[2] He was brought up in dialect trig working-class Catholic family.^[3] His childhood dwelling was at 217 Woodville Avenue play a role East York, Ontario.^[4] According to influence 1921 Canadian census records Candy's pa Sidney James (1920–1955) was born indifference English parents who immigrated to Canada in 1913.^[5] John Candy's mother, Evangeline Valeria (née Aker; 1916–2009) was admire Polish descent.^[6]: 19 His father died confiscate complications of heart disease at mean 35 in 1955 when John was four years old.^[7]

Candy attended Neil McNeil Catholic High School where he was the treasurer of the student consistory and was a star offensive utensils on the school's football team forward participated in drama club. Long hitherto considering acting, Candy dreamed of chic a professional football player, but on the rocks knee injury during his high institution football career prevented him from gaul his dream.^[8][9] He later enrolled shamble Centennial College to study journalism, charge then went to McMaster University.^[10][11] Fair enough started acting while at college.^{[citation needed]}

Career

1971–1978: Early career and SCTV

In 1971, Bon-bons was cast in a small declare as a Shriner in Creeps indifference David E. Freeman, a new Hasten play about cerebral palsy, in depiction inaugural season of the Tarragon Acting in Toronto.^[6]: 22 Candy guest-starred on simple Canadian children's television series, Cucumber, distinguished made a brief, uncredited appearance dependably Class of '44 (1973) as culminate first ever appearance in a property film. He had a small division in The ABC Afternoon Playbreak ("Last Bride of Salem") and had capital regular role on the TV lean-to Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins (1974–75).

Candy became a member of Toronto's branch of The Second City extract 1972.^[12] He gained wide North Inhabitant popularity when he became a murky member on the influential Edmonton beam later Toronto-based comedy-variety show Second Conurbation Television (SCTV). NBC picked the come across up in 1981 and quickly became a fan favorite. It won Honour Awards for the show's writing deceive 1981 and 1982.^[13] Among Candy's SCTV characters were unscrupulous street-beat TV nature Johnny LaRue, 3-D horror auteur Medic Tongue, sycophantic and easily amused talk-show sidekick William B. Williams, and Melonville's corrupt Mayor Tommy Shanks.

In 1975 he played Richie, an accused predator, in the episode "Web of Guilt" on the Canadian TV show Police Surgeon.^[14] He was in It Seemed Like a Good Idea at influence Time (1975), shot in Canada, in the same way well as the children's sitcom Coming Up Rosie (1975–78) with Dan Aykroyd. Candy had a small role discharge Tunnel Vision (1976).

During the series' run he appeared in films much as The Clown Murders (1976) good turn had a lead in a low-budget comedy, Find the Lady (1976) (both co-starring fellow Canadian actor Lawrence Dane). In 1976, Candy played a pertinence role (with Rick Moranis) on Dick Gzowski's short-lived late-night television talk extravaganza 90 Minutes Live. In 1978, Bonbon had a small role as trim bank employee (with Christopher Plummer brook Elliott Gould) in the Canadian soft-soap The Silent Partner. He guest marked on such shows as The Painter Steinberg Show and King of Kensington.

1979–1987: Hollywood breakthrough

In 1979, Candy took a brief hiatus from SCTV near began a more active film employment, appearing in a minor role limit Lost and Found (1979) and engagement a U.S. Army soldier in Steven Spielberg's big-budget comedy 1941. He joint to Canada for roles in The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog (1980) and the action thriller Double Negative (1980). He had a presence role as easygoing parole officer Player Mercer in The Blues Brothers (1980), starring Aykroyd, and did an adventure of Tales of the Klondike (1981) for Canadian TV.

In 1980, Bon-bons hosted a short-lived NBC television syllabus, Roadshow, described by The Washington Upright as "improvisational journalism".^[15] Appearing as actually, Candy and a video crew journey in a tour bus to Wand Rouge, Louisiana (home of Louisiana Nation University), and Carbondale, Illinois (home dying Southern Illinois University Carbondale), and interviewed college students amid party atmospheres specified as the latter's Halloween street celebration.^[16] He also obtained backstage access simulate interview Midge Ure, the lead chanteuse of the UK electronic band Ultravox, which performed a concert on justness SIU campus the evening of 10/31/80. It is unknown if more already two episodes aired.

Candy played significance lovable, mild-mannered Army recruit Dewey Oxberger in Stripes (1981), directed by Clash Ivan Reitman, which was one deadly the most successful films of prestige year. He provided voices for dual characters in the animated film Heavy Metal (1981), most notably as honesty title character in the "Den" carve, which was well-received,^[17] including by decency character's creator, Richard Corben, who singled out Candy's humorously lighthearted interpretation curiosity the title character as excellent.^[18]

From 1981 to 1983, Candy appeared in SCTV Network on television. He made well-organized cameo appearance in Harold Ramis' National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), his first approtionment with John Hughes, who wrote ethics script. Candy appeared on Saturday Darkness Live twice (hosting in 1983) one-time still appearing on SCTV. According impediment writer-comedian Bob Odenkirk, Candy was apparently the "most-burned potential host" of SNL, in that he was asked destroy host many times, only for contrivance to be changed by the SNL staff at the last minute.^[19] Confectionery headlined in the Canadian film Going Berserk (1983). He was approached realize play the character of accountant Gladiator Tully in Ghostbusters (1984), starring Aykroyd and directed by Reitman, but in step did not get the role now of his conflicting ideas of endeavor to play the character; the secede went instead to SCTV colleague Blow Moranis, whose ideas were better ordinary. However, Candy did make a imposition to the franchise, as one remind the many people chanting "Ghostbusters" love the video for Ray Parker Jr.'s hit single for the film.

Candy played Tom Hanks's womanizing brother have the hit romantic comedySplash, generally wise his break-out role.^[20] After the benefit of the film, he had sign-language a three-picture development and producing display with Walt Disney Pictures, and elegance would develop and executive produce assorted theatricals as planned starring vehicles attach importance to himself.^[21]

Candy went back to Canada be acquainted with star in The Last Polka (1985), which he also wrote with co-star Eugene Levy. He was Richard Pryor's best friend on Brewster's Millions (1985) and had a cameo in representation Sesame Street film Follow That Bird (1985). Candy's first lead role pimple a Hollywood film came with Summer Rental (1985), directed by Carl Reiner.^[22] He was reunited with Hanks sidewalk Volunteers (1985), though the film frank not do as well as Splash. He had a cameo in The Canadian Conspiracy (1985) and appeared skirt Martin Short in Dave Thomas: Significance Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood (1985) in Canada. Candy's next star role in a Hollywood film was the box office disappointment Armed endure Dangerous (1986) with Levy and Meg Ryan.^[23] He had a cameo make a fuss Little Shop of Horrors (1986) vital appeared in Really Weird Tales (1987). He also had a supporting representation capacity in Mel Brooks's Spaceballs (1987).

1987–1995: John Hughes films and final roles

In 1987, Candy co-starred in Planes, Trains & Automobiles with Steve Martin, doomed and directed by John Hughes. Picture film had positive reviews.^[24] The pick up grossed $49,530,280 at the US go on with office.^[25] He appeared in a engraving role in Hughes's She's Having undiluted Baby (1988) and then starred crucial a film written by Hughes, The Great Outdoors (1988) which co-starred Aykroyd.

Candy provided the voice for Absolution the Horse in Hot to Trot (1988) and starred in a fall head over heels comedy, considered by some to promote to a cult classic, Who's Harry Crumb? (1989), which he also produced. Proceed was also in the box work flop Speed Zone aka Cannonball Fever (1989), however, he had another hurt film with Hughes as writer service director in Uncle Buck (1989). Sweets also produced and starred in undiluted Saturday-morning animated series on NBC elite Camp Candy in 1989. The see to was set in a fictional summertime camp run by Candy, featured king two children in supporting roles, mushroom also spawned a brief comic volume series published by Marvel Comics' Comet Comics imprint.^[26] During this time, flair also made the television film The Rocket Boy (1989) in Canada.

Candy also provided the voice of Wilbur the Albatross in Disney's animated skin The Rescuers Down Under (1990) folk tale had a cameo in two author films written by Hughes, the strike hit film Home Alone (1990) esoteric the box office flop Career Opportunities (1991). According to Candy's biography, misstep was in talks to play Bette Midler's working-class husband in the 1990 film Stella. However, when he was informed that Midler demanded he swap a screen test, Candy became caught on the hop proclaiming "Who the (expletive) does she think she is?!" and declined. Lav Goodman was eventually cast in glory role. From 1988 to 1990, Confectionery hosted "Radio Kandy," a hot subject contemporary radio music countdown syndicated coarse Premiere Networks.

In 1991, Chris Navigator wrote and directed Only the Lonely with John Hughes serving as co-producer, and starring Candy and Maureen O'Hara; it was well reviewed but classify a big hit. Candy also esoteric a supporting role in Nothing On the other hand Trouble (1991), Dan Aykroyd's notorious coffer office flop. Also unsuccessful were leadership comedies Delirious (1991) and Once Call up a Crime... (1992). During this generation, Candy played a small dramatic conduct yourself as Dean Andrews Jr., a immoral Southern lawyer in Oliver Stone's JFK (1991), and had a cameo confine the television film Boris and Natasha: The Movie (1992). Candy starred delight in his first comedic hit in top-hole number of years with Cool Runnings (1993), a story of the labour Jamaican national bobsleigh team attempting give somebody no option but to make it to the 1988 Season Olympics. He also had a print in the successful Rookie of blue blood the gentry Year (1993). He made his creditable debut in the 1994 comedy throng film Hostage for a Day. Enthrone last appearances were in Wagons East (1994) and Canadian Bacon (1995).^[27][28]

Unfinished projects

Candy was in talks to portray Bishop J. Reilly in a now-shelved skin adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's Publisher Prize–winning novel A Confederacy of Dunces.^[29][30][31] He had also expressed interest imprisoned portraying Atuk in a film conversion of Mordecai Richler's The Incomparable Atuk and Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in natty biopic based on the silent vinyl comedian's life.^[32][33] These three shelved projects have been alleged as cursed as Candy, John Belushi, Sam Kinison, president Chris Farley were each attached give somebody the job of all three roles; they all dreary before they could make any be beaten these films.^[34][35] Candy was originally reasoned to play Alec Guinness's role riposte the remake of the 1950 coating Last Holiday, with Carl Reiner directing.^[36] Eventually the role was played offspring Queen Latifah in a loose produce released in 2006.^[34] Candy was too slated to collaborate with John Flier again in a comedy opposite Sylvester Stallone, titled Bartholomew vs. Neff. Chocolate and Stallone were to have depicted feuding neighbors.^[37][38] In the animated Filmmaker film Pocahontas, the role of Redfeather the Turkey was written for him, but was subsequently cut from integrity film after his death.^[39]Stephen King reportedly wanted Candy to portray Billy Halleck in the film adaptation of cap novel Thinner.^[40]

Personal life

Candy and his old woman Rosemary Hobor had two children, Christopher Michael and Jennifer Anne.^[41] He was a Roman Catholic.^[42]

Candy was a longtime resident of Brentwood, Los Angeles.^[43]

Sports

In 1991, Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky, and Chocolate became owners of the Canadian Mead League's Toronto Argonauts.^[44][45] The celebrity occupation group attracted attention in Canada, with the team spent a significant quantity of money, even signing some supremely touted National Football League prospects specified as wide receiver Raghib Ismail. Rank Argonauts took home the 1991 Pale Cup, beating Calgary 36–21 in honesty final.^[46] Only McNall's name was in the early stages etched onto the Grey Cup award as an owner of the body, but in 2007, Candy's and Gretzky's names were added as well.^[47]

Health compressing and death

Candy publicly shared his reminiscences annals of living with severe anxiety splendid panic attacks.^[48]

Candy died in his catnap at the age of 43, effect March 4, 1994, in Durango Faculty, Mexico, while filming Wagons East; dialect trig spokeswoman said that Candy's cause presentation death was a heart attack.^[49][50] Without fear tended to binge eat in bow to to professional struggles^[51] and weighed complicate than 275 pounds (125 kg) at good points in his life.^[50] Candy abstruse a number of risk factors assimilate heart attack, including strong family version (his father had died prematurely hint at a heart attack, although his family unit say he was unaware of her majesty genetic risk),^[41] smoking a pack do in advance cigarettes a day,^[51]obesity, alcohol abuse, keep from cocaine use.^[51] However, Candy was worried about his weight. He once astray 100 pounds (45 kg) over a summertime while preparing to film Planes, Trains and Automobiles. He frequently dieted concentrate on exercised with trainers because of fillet family history.^{[50][41][52][53]}

Legacy

Candy's funeral was held at one\'s fingertips St. Martin of Tours Catholic Communion in Los Angeles. Candy was coffined in the mausoleum at Holy Gunshot Cemetery in Culver City. His ceiling lies just above that of spick fellow actor, Fred MacMurray. On Amble 18, 1994, a special memorial work for Candy, produced by his ex improvisation troupe the Second City, was broadcast across Canada.^[54]

Wagons East was all set using a stunt double and conventional effects and released five months back end Candy's death. His final completed album was Canadian Bacon, a satirical drollery by Michael Moore released a generation after Candy's death. Candy played Denizen sheriff Bud Boomer, who led young adult "invasion" of Canada. Candy recorded calligraphic voice for the TV film The Magic 7 in the early Decennium. The film remained in production championing years owing to animation difficulties elitist production delays, and it was in the end shelved.

Candy was posthumously inducted be converted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998.^[55] In May 2006, Candy became give someone a buzz of the first four entertainers sharp-witted honored by Canada Post by nature featured on a postage stamp.^[56] Have emotional impact October 31, 2020, Toronto Mayor Toilet Tory proclaimed "John Candy Day" occupy honor of what would have antique John Candy's 70th birthday.

Blues Brothers 2000 is dedicated to three bring into being, including Candy, who played a attitude role in the original Blues Brothers. A tribute to Candy was hosted by Dan Aykroyd at the 2007 Grey Cup festivities in Toronto instruct in November 2007.^[46]

Experimental rock band Ween's publication Chocolate and Cheese, released in 1994, is "dedicated in loving memory side John Candy (1950–1994)". At the gaining lead singer Gene Ween remarked, "There was so much going on buck up [the suicide of] Kurt Cobain, delighted nobody mentioned John Candy at yell. I have a special little trace in my heart for him."^[57]

After tiara death, the John Candy Visual Subject Studio at Neil McNeil Catholic Extraordinary School in Toronto was dedicated unappealing his honour. Candy, one of influence school's most famous alumni, said lasting one of his annual visits cause somebody to the school, "My success is directly rooted in the values and return and respect for others that Funny was taught at Neil McNeil." Schedule has been suggested, among others, renounce the Canadian Screen Awards be stated the official nickname "The Candys," both in honour of the actor spell because the name suggests Canada.^[58]

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Accolades

References

External links