In 1970, actor and comedian John Candy made his first significant breakthrough when he was invited to join the comedy troupe The Second City. By 1984, he became a movie star, sharing the screen with Tom Hanks in the hit film Splash. Audiences adored Candy for his warm personality and subtle humour. Over his career, Candy appeared in more than 40 films. He was also a passionate sports fan and co-owner of the Canadian Football League team Toronto Argonauts. More on torontoski.
Childhood and Education
John Candy was born on October 31, 1950, in Toronto and grew up in the East York neighbourhood. At just four years old, he lost his father, leaving his mother, with the help of extended family, to raise him. As a child, Candy attended Catholic schools and played football and hockey. He also participated in several school plays, where he discovered his love for acting.
In 1969, Candy enrolled at Centennial College in Toronto, where he studied journalism and acting. However, in 1971, he left college to pursue an acting career. During this time, he befriended future collaborator Dan Aykroyd, who encouraged him to audition for the Toronto branch of the Chicago-based comedy troupe, The Second City.
Collaborations with The Second City
Candy’s audition for The Second City was so successful that he was invited to join the Chicago troupe. For two years, he performed alongside comedy legends such as John Belushi and Gilda Radner. In 1974, he returned to Toronto to work with the local branch of The Second City. In 1977, Candy played a pivotal role in adapting the troupe’s sketches for Canadian television, creating the show SCTV. Fellow cast members included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and Harold Ramis.
By 1981, SCTV had secured a late-night slot on NBC, and Candy had become one of its standout stars. His memorable impressions included Julia Child, Orson Welles, Luciano Pavarotti, and fictional characters like Johnny LaRue and horror movie host Dr. Tongue. His comedic talents earned him two Emmy Awards for writing on SCTV in 1981 and 1982.
Early Film Roles and Breakout Success
While working on SCTV, Candy began to appear in films, starting with small roles in Steven Spielberg’s 1941 (1979) and The Blues Brothers (1980) alongside Belushi and Aykroyd. He also played an unlucky army recruit in the hit comedy Stripes (1981) with Bill Murray.
After leaving SCTV in 1983, Candy focused on his film career. His breakthrough came with the role of Tom Hanks’ brother in the romantic comedy Splash (1984). Directed by Ron Howard, the film also starred Daryl Hannah as the mermaid who falls in love with Hanks’ character.
While Candy’s subsequent films, such as Brewster’s Millions (1985) and Summer Rental (1985), received mixed reviews, he found success again in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) opposite Steve Martin. That same year, Candy appeared in Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, a Star Wars parody, where his minor but memorable role further cemented his reputation.
In 1989, Candy achieved another milestone with the John Hughes comedy Uncle Buck. He followed this with a small but memorable appearance in the Christmas classic Home Alone (1990), where he played a kind-hearted polka musician.
Candy’s imposing stature often made him the ideal choice for roles as lovable giants, adding comedic charm to his performances. In 1991, he starred in Only the Lonely, a romantic comedy where he portrayed a shy bachelor opposite Maureen O’Hara. That same year, he demonstrated his dramatic range in a supporting role in Oliver Stone’s political thriller JFK.
Tragic Passing
While working on the comedy western Wagons East, tragedy struck. On March 4, 1994, Candy passed away in his sleep from a heart attack in Durango, Mexico. He was just 43 years old. Candy had struggled with weight issues and was a heavy smoker, factors that likely contributed to his untimely death.
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