View Full Version : John Candy - Canada


Zel
12-10-01, 02:01 PM
"John Franklin Candy was born in Toronto, Canada, October 31, 1950. Candy grew up in Scarborough, Canada, where he was known as an intelligent student and talented football player at Neil McNeil high school. After graduation, Candy enrolled in a local community college, where he took a handful of drama courses and discovered his passion for comedy and acting.


While a student, Candy auditioned for as many bit parts as his time would allow. After several years of study, he found a position with the Children's Theater in Ontario, and a small offering of walk-on roles in local television commercials and small budget Canadian films. Candy's first ever television performance was at CBC's Toronto headquarters, where he appeared in the children's classics as "Coming Up Rosie" and later in "Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins."

In 1977, at the age of 27, John was offered a position with Second City, a comedic improvisational team based in Chicago. He eagerly accepted, moving to Illinois, and becoming a regular performer, comedian and writer for the popular television show, SCTV, also hosted by the group. Candy became a favorite at the Chicago theatre, on Toronto stages and as a performer with SCTV. During this same time, Candy auditioned for a role beside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the soon-to-be famous film, "The Blues Brothers." He earned the part, and starred in his first major film, playing Burton Mercer. By 1981, Candy had won two Emmy's for his writing work with the show SCTV, appeared in the movie "Stripes" and "Heavy Metal," and was ready for bigger things.


Candy put his comedy routines aside and began to concentrate on his acting. In 1984, he would make a name for himself playing opposite Tom Hanks in the super-smash-hit, "Splash." During the ten years that followed, Candy starred in thirty-four movies, including "Cool Runnings," "Only The Lonely," "JKF," "Uncle Buck," and "Home Alone." Until his death in 1994, John Candy worked tirelessly, appearing in at least one film a year between 1974-1991.


At the height of his career, Candy was 6-feet, 3-inches tall and weighed more than 250 pounds. Even though the sight of him warmed audiences to him and he was labeled "the most huggable in all of Hollywood," Candy talked frequently about his struggle with weight.


Candy invested his money wisely and passionately. An active sports fan, he became co-owner of his favorite boyhood Canadian Football team, the Toronto Argonauts. The Argonauts won the Grey Cup during Candy's first year of ownership, and Candy was known as a tireless worker and fan, who operated largely behind the scenes. He also opened a chain of blues restaurants with former "Blues Brothers" star, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi's brother, Jim. Candy also studied acting from behind the scenes, making his directorial debut with Fox Network's "Hostage For A Day."


John Candy died unexpectedly of a heart attack March 4, 1994, while filming on location is Durango, Mexico. He was 44 years old. His funeral, held at St. Michael's Cathedral, was broadcast live on TV in Canada. Candy is survived by his wife, Rose, and two children, Jennifer and Christopher. Candy's final movies, "Wagons East" and "Canadian Bacon" were released after his death.

held by kyky.essortment (author's name not submitted by request)

Films:
Canadian Bacon (1995) .... Bud B. Boomer
Wagons East (1994) .... James H. Harlow
Hostage for a Day (1994) (TV) (uncredited)
Cool Runnings (1993) .... Irwin 'Irv' Blitzer
Rookie of the Year (1993) (uncredited) .... Announcer
Best of John Candy on SCTV, The (1992) (TV) .... Himself
Boris and Natasha (1992) .... Kallishak
Once Upon a Crime... (1992) .... Augie Morosco
JFK (1991) .... Dean Andrews
Delirious (1991) .... Jack Gable
Only the Lonely (1991) .... Danny
Career Opportunities (1991) (uncredited) .... C.D. Marsh
... aka One Wild Night (1991)
Nothing But Trouble (1991) .... Dennis & Eldona
Masters of Menace (1990) .... Beer Truck Driver
Home Alone (1990) .... Gus Polinski, the Polka Band shuttle Chief
Rescuers Down Under, The (1990) (voice) .... Albatross Wilbur


"Camp Candy" (1989) TV Series (voice)
Flames 88-89 (1989) (V) (uncredited) .... Himself
... aka Calgary Flames Video Yearbook 1988-89, The (1989) (V) (Canada: English title)
Rocket Boy, The (1989) (TV) .... The Hawk
Uncle Buck (1989) .... Buck Russell
Speed Zone! (1989) .... Charlie
... aka Cannonball Fever (1989)
Who's Harry Crumb? (1989) .... Harry Crumb
Great Outdoors, The (1988) .... Chet
Hot to Trot (1988) (voice) .... Don
She's Having a Baby (1988) (uncredited) .... Cameo appearance
Sesame Street Special (1988) (TV) .... Himself
... aka Put Down the Duckie (1988) (TV) (USA: video box title)
Jackie Gleason: The Great One (1988) (TV) .... Host
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) .... Del Griffith
Spaceballs (1987) .... Barf the mog, Copilot
Really Weird Tales (1987) (TV)
Armed and Dangerous (1986) .... Frank Dooley
Big City Comedy (1986) (V)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986) .... Wink Wilkinson
Canadian Conspiracy, The (1985) (TV) .... Various
Martin Short Concert for the North Americas (1985) (TV) .... Marcel
Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird (1985) .... State Trooper
... aka Follow That Bird (1985)
Tears Are Not Enough (1985)
Volunteers (1985) .... Tom Tuttle
Brewster's Millions (1985) .... Spike Nolan
Summer Rental (1985) .... Jack Chester
Last Polka, The (1984) (TV) .... Yosh Shmenge
Splash (1984) .... Freddie Bauer
Going Berserk (1983) .... John Bourgignon
Vacation (1983) .... Lasky, Guard at Walleyworld
... aka American Vacation (1983) (Europe: English title: video title)
... aka National Lampoon's Summer Vacation (1983) (USA)
... aka National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
It Came from Hollywood (1982) .... Himself
Heavy Metal (1981) (voice) .... Deak Sergeant/Dan/Den/Robot
Stripes (1981) .... Dewey 'Ox' Oxburger
"Tales of the Klondike" (1981) (mini) TV Series
"SCTV Network 90" (1981) TV Series .... Various
... aka "SCTV Network" (1981) (new title)
Double Negative (1980) .... John
... aka Deadly Companion (1980)
Blues Brothers, The (1980) .... Burton Mercer
Courage of Kavik, The Wolf Dog, The (1980) (TV) .... Pinky
... aka Kavik, the Wolf Dog (1980) (TV)


1941 (1979) .... Private Foley
Lost and Found (1979) .... Carpentier
Silent Partner, The (1978) .... Simonsen
... aka Argent de la banque, L' (1978) (Canada: French title)
Tunnel Vision (1976) .... Cooper
... aka Tunnelvision (1976)
Find the Lady (1976) .... Kopek
... aka Call the Cops! (1976)
... aka Kopek and Broom (1976)
"Second City TV" (1976) TV Series .... Johnny LaRue/Billy Sol Hurok/Mayor Tommy Shanks/William B./Other Roles (1976-1978)
... aka "SCTV" (1977) (USA)
"Coming Up Rosie" (1975) TV Series .... Wally Wypyzypychwk (1976-77)
Clown Murders, The (1975) .... Ollie
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (1975) .... Kopek
... aka Good Idea (1975)
"Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins" (1974) TV Series
Last Bride of Salem (1974) (TV) .... 2nd Son
Class of '44 (1973) (uncredited) .... Paule
... aka Tre kompisar (1973)
"David Steinberg Show, The" (1972) TV Series .... Spider Reichman
Hercules in New York (1970) (uncredited) .... Scared man at harbour
... aka Hercules - The Movie (1970)
... aka Hercules Goes Bananas (1970)

Producer - filmography
Who's Harry Crumb? (1989) (executive producer)
Last Polka, The (1984) (TV) (executive producer)

Caligula
12-10-01, 02:45 PM
He also attended the same highschool with hockey Hall of Fame defenseman, Brad Park

Zel
12-10-01, 07:54 PM
My husband had the greatest pleasure to pay for damages after John Candy visited his hotel room :eek:

Its not what you were thinking! LOL Allan used to be on the Colleges student council and they payed for them to go to a conference in Toronto. John Candy was one of their entertainers and they invited him back to a party on their floor - why buy food when you could have more money for beer days... :D Well John had a great time! So great he got very sick right on the bed etc... and Allan was left with the damages. His favorite celebrity war story :)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is the most funny and honest movie done by Candy. Road rules :)

Chasey
12-10-01, 08:15 PM
I loved John Candy...and I loved Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Enough Said - RIP Big Fella.

Recker
12-11-01, 01:57 AM
Originally posted by Steve Chase:
<STRONG>I loved John Candy...and I loved Planes, Trains and Automobiles.</STRONG>

Absolutely! John Candy was one of my favourite actors. I think he was a brilliant actor. If he had been a drama star, he probably would have won an OSCAR.

Iluvthe80s
1-06-02, 08:24 PM
He was great in every movie he did! :) I think my favorite had to be "Uncle Buck".

Trixter
1-09-02, 01:45 AM
Originally posted by Iluvthe80s
He was great in every movie he did! :) I think my favorite had to be "Uncle Buck".


Stacy, "Uncle Buck" is my favorite John Candy film!! :thumb: He brought so much joy into peoples lives, he is sorely missed.


Little bit 'o trivia here, I'm not sure if y'all have seen this photo but can you guess who these people are?

http://www.madonnashots.com/want6.jpg

Flix
1-09-02, 03:19 AM
Trixter, that's easy. It's Al Gore and Tina Turner.

John Candy was great. Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Spaceballs and Cool Runnings are among my favorite John Candy movies.

Thank you for the bio, Zel. :)

Trixter
1-09-02, 07:35 AM
Originally posted by Flix
Trixter, that's easy. It's Al Gore and Tina Turner.


Flix, someone told you didn't they?:rolleyes:

angeleyes25
1-09-02, 02:27 PM
John Candy will alway's be one of my favorite actors!He's up their with Tom Hanks.Just like Hanks their wasn't that many bad movies he made.My favorite is Plains Trains And Automobiles but all of his movies are great.I have several of his movies in my collection including PTAO and Uncle Buck.It's so sad that he had to die so young.I'm sure he would have been putting out good movies to this day!

Dude111
7-13-08, 10:26 AM
I love John Candy!!
I have seen these
Nothing But Trouble
Home Alone
Uncle Buck
Who's Harry Crumb?
Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird
Brewster's Millions
Vacation

My favourites are
Vacation
Uncle Buck
Who's Harry Crumb?
Home Alone

Originally posted by Steve Chase:
I loved John Candy...and I loved Planes, Trains and Automobiles.I havent ever seen that one but all i have he is wonderfull :)

chooch210
7-13-08, 01:19 PM
I love John Candy!!
I have seen these
Nothing But Trouble
Home Alone
Uncle Buck
Who's Harry Crumb?
Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird
Brewster's Millions
Vacation
My favourites are
Vacation
Uncle Buck
Who's Harry Crumb?
Home Alone
I havent ever seen that one but all i have he is wonderfull :)


You should check out "The Great Outdoors" also if you love John Candy. He is hilarious in this one and one of my favs of his.

Dude111
7-14-08, 09:20 AM
Thats funny you mention that,JUST SAW IT LAST NIGHT (Was gonna add it here :lol:)

Yes it was pretty good!