Interview: Comedian John Candy’s daughter on new documentary about her father’s legacy
Many of John Candy’s most beloved characters carry a warmth that makes viewers feel as if he were part of their own family.
“I think he kind of was recreating the relationship that he might not have had with his dad, or he wished he would have had with his dad,”she explained.
Everyone has a favorite John Candy moment. Whether it’s his unforgettable turns in “Spaceballs,” “Stripes,” or “Uncle Buck,” Candy commanded attention with his charm, humor, and genuine heart.
As a child, I remember watching “Home Alone” (1990) and laughing hysterically at his brief appearance as Gus Polinski, who humorously confides to Kate McCallister about forgetting his son in a funeral parlor. Though on screen only briefly, he radiated presence amidst the film’s chaotic holiday energy.
My personal favorite, however, remains Del Griffith in “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” (1987). Candy’s performance blended humor with profound vulnerability. Acting alongside Steve Martin’s tightly wound Neal Page, Candy — as Martin remarks in the new documentary —
“annoying better than anyone.”Despite Del’s quirks, the audience grows to love him deeply by the film’s end.
The new documentary John Candy: I Like Me, directed by Colin Hanks, explores Candy’s childhood, career, and internal battles, illuminating the compassion and candor behind his comedic brilliance.
Author’s Summary
The documentary reveals John Candy’s exceptional mix of humor, heart, and hidden struggles, capturing the depth of a performer whose kindness made every role unforgettable.