Comedian Bio: John Candy

John Candy in 1993

Canadian actor and comedian John Franklin Candy is one of the big names in comedy who left us way too early. When he died of a heart attack in his sleep at age 43 he had an impressive reputation and a bright future. But enough gloom, let us focus on the good parts.

Multiple Emmy award-winner John Candy was probably the best actor to play an annoying fat guy with a good heart. His most famous role is possibly that of Del Griffith in Planes Trains and Automobiles, where he plays a good-natured and well-spoken shower-curtain-ring-salesman who is forced to travel the country with Neal Page (Steve Martin) in order to get Neal home in time for Thanksgiving with his family. During the trip they encounter many hilarious situations and their polar opposite personalities ensure a lot of comic arguments and clashes. In the end though they form a bond and, upon learning Del doesn't actually have a family, Neal invites him to join the dinner with his family.

John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

John has however played in many other films, starting with the 1973 film Class of '44 up to Wagon's East and Canadian Bacon. Both those films were released posthumously and dedicated to him. Both films received poor reviews but as Roger Ebert stated, Candy's reputation had already been established and would survive the films. Some of the better films he starred in include The Blues
Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors and the parody classic Spaceballs.

Candy also had a successful stand-up career with the Toronto division of The Second City which led to a television production of the same name. His television career ran from 1972 to 1994 alongside his film career. Some of his work includes voice acting as well as several television films, which were mainly broadcast in Canada.

John Candy could have gone on to do greater things, but as it is he leaves us a strong collection of work which remains popular and his work is still enjoyed by people worldwide. A true legend of comedy and a hero in Canada.