| Among the top Hollywood legends to me, my all-time favorite actor John Franklin Candy!! He was larger than life itself, and considered the most funny, huggable, actor in Hollywood!! Once quoted as saying, "I think I may have become an actor to hide from myself. You can escape into a character." Those who knew the man behind the charactor knew a good hearted, down to earth, loveable by all man to be respected. In keeping with that respect....his legendary story begins now.... He was born in Toronto, Canada, on October 31, 1950. He grew up in Toronto, where he was an exceptional talented football player and smart A list student at Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary high school. (the school has a website here) After graduation, Candy enrolled in the local community college. Acting was always something he had an interest in, so he enrolled in several drama classes at the college. It was the when discovered his passion for comedy and acting. Talent had always been in John. He was the life of comedy whomever he was around even while growing up. After enrolling in drama, he started to take all the parts he possibly could. He loved acting. After a couple of years in bit parts in college, John took a job working at a Children's Theater in Ontario. He also found work in small time productions and local commercials. It was in 1972, when his name broke into television as the charactor of Spider Reichman on Canada's "The David Steinberg Show." It was the beginning of a carrer that would send John to be a powerhouse in Hollywood. In 1977, John was offered a job on SCTV, a then breaking television show based out of Chicago. John accepted and found himself working with the future talents of Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty, Catherine O'Hara, and who would later become his best friend, Eugene Levy. John became a fast favorite on SCTV. By 1981, John had won two Emmy's for his work on SCTV, appeared in the movies "Stripes", "Heavy Metal," and "Blues Brothers." John was soaring like an eagle. All in all John did an impressive 51 films, made numberous tv appearances, and has had 5 films in memory of his name, including Blues Brothers 2000. John loved life to the fullest, and he loved the people around him, (which included the MASS number of fans) He was always the kind of rare celebrity that would stop and take the extra time to chat with a fan. He was a loving husband, and loving father. In 1994, his career was soaring, (as it had since his start in 1974) - when tragedy struck. While filming "Wagon's East" in Durango, Mexico, John had a heart attack and died on March 4 while sleeping at Camino del Perque (his hotel on the set).. John was at the young age of 43. Family, and friends were shocked. America had lost it's Candy. The Candy whom had kept it happy for so long, was gone. And the only question was, "why?" An autopsy revealed one of the arteries in John's heart was fully blocked. He had quit smoking and was on a diet to lose weight. He had wanted to lose weight for some time, but was worried of the image his fans had established of him and what they would think. John was layed to rest in Holy Cross Cemetary in March of 1994. He will forever be remembered in the hearts of many as, one who left a mark, that can't be erased. He was and still is, to many (to me), the greatest comedian, actor, and among the greatest men to ever live. Thank you John!! Visit his grave and leave flowers here! Also please visit my personal website on my favorite of all time actor by clicking here. TRIVIA: According to actress Catherine O'Hara, just before going to Mexico, John talked to her on the phone and told her that he fears going to Mexico because he feels that "Something bad is going to happen there". Although he turned down the role of Louis Tully in Ghostbusters, He has a cameo in Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" music video. The part of Tully went to fellow SCTV-ian Rick Morranis He was a co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Catherine O'Hara and friend Eugene Levy gave the eulogy at his funeral. |
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| John Candy Hollywood Legend Actor |
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