mourns

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genius

The Canadian production community was stunned to hear of John Candy’s sudden death on the morning of Friday, March 4. Candy was working on his latest film, Wagons East, in Durango in Northern Mexico when he died in his sleep. He was 43.

A Toronto native, Candy came to public attention as part of the Chicago-based Second City comedy troupe in 1972, and later helped form the first Canadian Second City cast. The Toronto troupe took to the airwaves with sctv in 1976, where Candy made characters like Dr. Tongue, Johnny LaRue and Yosh Schmenge household names. His film career began with a number of Canadian films, including Silent Partner with Christopher Plummer and Elliott Gould.

Southern success followed, making Candy one of the busiest actors in Hollywood with over 40 films to his credit. Some of the best-loved sprung from his relationship with writer/producer/ director John Hughes – Uncle Buck, Only the Lonely and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Most recently, Candy completed the feature Canadian Bacon, which brought him back to his home town of Toronto. It wrapped just before Christmas.

Throughout his career, Candy drew the respect and appreciation of his peers. In 1978 he shared an actra award for best performance in television and a best writer nomination. He repeated the achievement in 1982, and won Emmy awards in 1982 and ’83 for outstanding writing. The Last Polka, a one-hour hbo special written and performed by Candy and sctv colleague Eugene Levy, received ace award nominations for best special and best performances in a variety special in 1984.

Candy also won the hearts of the Canadian public in a way few other actors have. His death affected many across the country: those who knew and worked with him, and those who were touched by his work.

A private funeral for Candy was held in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 9. A Toronto memorial service was being planned, but at press time, details had not been announced. His family has asked that donations be made in Candy’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.