John Candy will always be remembered as a beloved figure in the comedy world, leaving his mark on both his colleagues and fans during his remarkable career.
Three decades after his untimely passing, stars like Steve Martin, Laurie Metcalf, and John Turtletaub continue to remember and honor his legacy.
Keep reading to find out more about his amazing life and career!
John Candy’s death
Candy’s death at the age of 43 on March 4, 1994, shook the entertainment industry. His own father’s early death from heart disease when Candy was just five years old left him with a profound awareness of his family’s health history.
According to People, the unexpected death of Candy’s car salesman father in Toronto left a life-long impression on Candy. In fact, Frank Hober, Candy’s brother-in-law, admitted: “It was always in the back of everybody’s mind. No one talked about it, but it was in the back of John’s mind too.”
Though, Candy, who struggled with anxiety and substance abuse, passed away in his sleep from a heart attack while filming Wagons East. Before his death he had been tempting fate – weighing close to 330 lbs and often smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
Despite his personal struggles, Candy was known for his kindness and generosity toward others.
Celebs remember John Candy
Laurie Metcalf, who worked with Candy on Uncle Buck, recalled his patience and encouragement on set. Despite the demands of filming, she recalled how Candy took the time to help her prepare for her scenes, demonstrating his big-hearted nature.
“He just taught me a lot about being a great scene partner,” Metcalf told People. “I was scared to death to improv with him because it’s scary to me to begin with, but then to be faced with possibly doing it with a master? No. So, I very cautiously stuck to the script. And I think he picked that up about me too. He was good at reading people and knowing what would make them comfortable.”
Catherine O’Hara, who starred alongside Candy in Home Alone, remembered his warmth and humor, even when interacting with fans on the street. She recounted how he would engage with fans who approached him, saying: “You’d be on the street with him, in a mall, and somebody would come up and just want to do a comedy bit with him.”
She continued: “And he would always pick up on it right away and give something back and see their eyes light up, like, ‘Oh, I’m doing a bit with John Candy.’”
Steve Martin, another comedy legend who starred alongside Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles, fondly recalled his experiences with Candy, describing him as both a comedic genius and a kind-hearted individual.
“John’s comedy lives on,” Martin told People, “but my memory of him has the words ‘kindness’ and ‘sweetness’ in the headlines.”
Even in the weeks before his own passing, comedian Richard Lewis took time to remember Candy’s talent and generosity. Lewis shared stories of their comedic collaborations, praising Candy’s improvisational skills and comedic brilliance.
While Candy received numerous nominations for awards throughout his career, including a Saturn Award and American Comedy Award, his true legacy lies in his comedic genius and unwavering kindness.
Three decades after his death, his memory clearly continues to be cherished by those who knew and admired him.