As a devoted admirer, I’d have to say that John Candy was nothing short of a legendary figure in the entertainment industry during his time. His unparalleled talent for captivating audiences worldwide through his exceptional acting and impeccable comic delivery made him one of the most successful stars of his generation, undoubtedly earning himself a place in the hearts of millions, including mine.
But the acting legend’s vibrant life and career would be prematurely cut short.
In the year 1994, on March 4, tragically at the young age of 43, he suffered a fatal heart attack, which left his family young and a world grieving deeply.
In 1984, his career-defining moment occurred as he portrayed the womanizing brother of Tom Hank’s character in the film “Splash”. This role earned him widespread recognition and critical praise from all quarters.
In the ’90s, Candy was a formidable presence in Hollywood. He had already won an Emmy Award and appeared in popular films like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Cool Runnings, and Home Alone, making him a formidable figure to contend with in the film industry.
In addition to his successful career in films, Candy was blessed with a joyful home life. He had been married to Rosemary Margaret Hobor since 1979 and was a loving father to two children. However, due to his demanding work schedule, he spent more time away from his family than he wished.
But behind the scenes, Candy was fighting battles far from his giddy onscreen personas.
At the tender age of five, the actor was left bereft of his father, Sidney James Candy, who passed away in 1955 due to heart disease complications at the young age of 35. This event left him with a feeling that his fate was sealed from an early stage in life.
In simpler terms, Carl Reiner stated that he believed there was a metaphorical sword of fate hanging over him due to his genes, implying that no matter what he accomplished or attempted, this perceived fate remained unchanged.
Throughout his lifetime, Candy faced ongoing battles with excessive weight. At his peak and at the time of his passing, it’s said that his weight exceeded a staggering 375 pounds.
open-heartedly discussing his struggles with anxiety and panic episodes, he admitted utilizing food, alcohol, cigarettes, and reported substance abuse as means to manage those difficulties.
1972 marked the breakthrough for Candy, who gained recognition through his participation as an improv comedian with Toronto’s very own branch of The Second City.
Afterward, he became part of the ensemble on the Toronto-based comedy-variety program “Second City Television.” In 1981, this show was acquired by NBC and went on to achieve immense popularity.
The show won Emmy Awards in 1981 and 1982 for its writing.
Candy appeared in a number of comedies throughout his career, including Spaceballs.
In an unassuming yet crucial part, he played the ‘Polka King of the Midwest’ in the movie Home Alone. The character, named Gus Polinski, played a significant role in helping Kevin reconnect with his mother, ultimately contributing to a joyful conclusion.
In 1989, he acted alongside Macaulay Culkin in the movie “Uncle Buck”, and later, they worked together again on a Christmas-themed production.
In 1987’s timeless film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, he gained a multitude of admirers with his portrayal of the shower curtain salesman character, Del Griffith.
In this rephrased version, the narrative centers around Neale Page, a tense businessman portrayed by Steve Martin, as he embarks on a journey back to his family in Chicago, driven by a desire to be with them.
Caught in a bind at an airport lounge in Kansas following an unexpected emergency landing, I found myself struck up a conversation with none other than Griffith, my long-awaited hero, who graciously offered me shelter for the night at his humble abode – a run-down motel.
In spite of coming from contrasting socio-economic backgrounds and initially harboring strong animosity, they find themselves united in the task of bringing Page safely back home.
During the time when the movie garnered significant critical praise, it was Candy who earned a nomination for the category of Funniest Actor in a Film that particular year.
As his fame increased, the actor often focused on fitness and adopting a healthier diet as a means to lose weight. However, he would eventually revert back to his old habits, such as an affection for pierogi dumplings.
In 1981, he openly acknowledged to People magazine that mockeries regarding his size had an impact on him. He candidly stated: “Indeed, I am sensitive about my weight. I don’t find humor in fat jokes. Over time, looking at myself in the mirror can become a source of distress.
To shed pounds and remain healthy, it’s clear what steps I need to take: eat right and work out consistently. The challenge now lies in putting this knowledge into action.
Following his role as a weight-conscious recruit in the 1981 movie “The Stripes,” he chose not to accept any further acting opportunities that involved making fun of his body size.
During the filming of Rental in 1984 under the direction of Reiner, it was arranged that nutritious meals were provided for him on set. In response, Candy decided to spend a month at the Pritikin Institute, a weight loss clinic located in Santa Monica.
He later threw himself into a healthy lifestyle with a personal trainer and lost 75lbs that summer.
However, he would soon slip back into his unhealthy diet amid a battle with anxiety.
Reiner stated that for some time he was eating well, but then he’d suggest, “Fancy a big serving of shrimp?” or “How about we grab a bucket of shrimp?
Previously, Candy admitted that he found it difficult to watch his own movies due to being overly self-critical. He also confessed to feeling emotional and overwhelmed whenever he made an appearance on The Tonight Show.
Producer Peter Kaminsky stated: “For John, eating, consuming, or even smoking were all methods he used to cope with his anxiety.
As I reached my forties, I found myself grappling with the overwhelming grip of panic attacks. Seeking solace, I started consulting with a seasoned therapist who armed me with effective strategies to navigate and control my anxiety levels.
According to the 2019 documentary “Autopsy: John Candy,” it was asserted that Candy started smoking a pack of cigarettes daily by the time he was either 17 or 18 years old.
Dr. Michael Hunter, a well-known forensic pathologist, suggested it’s likely that John’s heavy smoking contributed to his passing. However, it seems John may have a history of using cocaine as well, which is also known to harm the heart significantly.
Back in ’82, when John Belushi tragically lost his life to a combined cocaine and heroin overdose at just 33 years old, it was rumored that I, being an ardent fan of Candy, had put down the white powder for good.
Candy officially quit smoking just a few months before his death.
In December 1993, Candy embarked on a journey to Durango, Mexico, where he filmed the western comedy “Wagons East.” This turned out to be his last movie.
Catherine O’Hara, who starred alongside him in Home Alone and SCTV, reminisced about a conversation where Candy expressed a sense of foreboding regarding his journey to Mexico.
According to reports, he expressed his concerns to her by saying, “I don’t feel good about going down there because I sense something bad might occur.
On his last day, he was busy shooting movies, concluding his tasks around 10 pm, leaving just two remaining scenes to be filmed before he could head back to California, marking the end of his journey.
In simpler terms, he also shared a moment with his cherished family, specifically his son Chris who was only nine at the time. During an interview with THR, Chris recounted their last conversation, mentioning, “I distinctly remember speaking to him the evening before he passed away and he told me, ‘I love you, goodnight.’ And I will forever cherish that memory.
As an over-the-moon admirer, let me share this slice of my life: One day, when Jennifer, my cherished girl who was 14 at the time, recounted our conversation. You see, we were on a call, and here’s the twist – I was engrossed in my studies, which somehow put a bit of space between us. So, in a casual tone, I replied, “Sure thing, I love you too. We’ll chat later. Have a fantastic evening.” And with that, I ended the call, diving back into my books.
Candy and his group had a delightful Mexican-style spaghetti meal together, then headed off to the Hotel Camino del Perque for the evening.
The night watchman allegedly heard him say: “I’m utterly exhausted. My only wish now is to return home and reunite with my loved ones.
Candy took a shower at 11pm and went to bed. This was the final time anyone saw him alive.
The following morning, unable to get hold of him over the phone, I quietly entered his room out of concern.
He found Candy ‘half in and half out of bed’, clad in a long red and black checked nightshirt.
At 9 am, it was officially confirmed that Candy passed away following a severe heart attack. His bereaved spouse requested that there would be no postmortem examination performed.
His funeral was held on March 9 1994 at St. Martin of the Tours church, in Brentwood, California.
At the funeral service, it was Dan Aykroyd who spoke moving words in memory of the deceased, while friends like Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Rick Moranis, Jim Belushi, Martin Short, George Wendt, Rhea Perlman, Bill Murray, and Ed Harris were all there to pay their respects.
Candy was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery, in Culver City, California.
After the passing of its creator, the film “Wagons East” was brought to completion through script revisions, the use of a stand-in actor, and the implementation of special effects.
Both Wagons East and his final completed film Canadian Bacon (1995), are dedicated to the star.
More than three decades after his death, Candy’s memory lives on stronger than ever.
This month, the documentary titled “John Candy: I Like Me,” directed by Colin Hanks (Tom Hank’s co-star), made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
As a devoted admirer, I’m sharing the story of a remarkable journey – the life of Candy, a figure whose ascent to stardom is meticulously portrayed in this film. This compelling narrative, fully endorsed by Rosemary, Candy’s widow, and her children Jennifer, aged 45, and Chris, who is 40 years old, also poignantly captures the unfortunate events that led to Candy’s untimely demise.
The documentary also features never-before-seen home videos, archives and family interviews.
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2025-09-07 20:38