History of John Candy in Timeline
John Candy was a celebrated Canadian actor and comedian, achieving widespread recognition for his roles in Hollywood films. He initially gained fame in Canada during the 1970s through his involvement with The Second City's Toronto branch and the SCTV sketch comedy series. His career reached international heights in the 1980s with memorable performances in comedic hits like 'Stripes,' 'Splash,' 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles,' and 'Uncle Buck.' Candy was also featured in supporting roles in films such as 'The Blues Brothers,' 'Home Alone,' and 'Little Shop of Horrors,' solidifying his status as a beloved comedic figure.
1916: Birth of Evangeline Valeria
In 1916, Evangeline Valeria (nee Aker), John Candy's mother, was born. She was of Ukrainian and Polish descent.
1941: Role in Steven Spielberg's 1941
In 1941, John Candy played a U.S. Army soldier in Steven Spielberg's big-budget comedy '1941'.
October 31, 1950: John Candy's Birth
On October 31, 1950, John Franklin Candy was born in Newmarket, Ontario, and grew up in Toronto. He was raised in a working-class Catholic family.
1950: Last Holiday Remake
In 1950, a film remake of Last Holiday was considered for John Candy, but eventually, the role was played by Queen Latifah in 2006.
1955: Death of John Candy's father
In 1955, John Candy's father, Sidney James, died of heart disease complications at the age of 35 on John's fifth birthday.
1971: Creeps Casting
In 1971, John Candy was cast in a small part as a Shriner in 'Creeps' by David E. Freeman, at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.
1972: Joins The Second City
In 1972, John Candy became a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City.
1973: Class of '44 Appearance
In 1973, John Candy made a brief, uncredited appearance in 'Class of '44', marking his feature film debut.
1974: TV Series Debut
In 1974, John Candy appeared in The ABC Afternoon Playbreak and had a regular role on the TV series 'Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins'.
1974: TV Debut on Police Surgeon
In 1974, John Candy made his TV debut on the Canadian show 'Police Surgeon', playing Ramone in "Target: Ms. Blue" and Richie in "Web of Guilt".
1975: Coming Up Rosie Role
In 1975, John Candy played the role of Wally Wypyzypywchuk in the CBC children's show 'Coming Up Rosie'.
1975: Appearances in Movies and TV
In 1975, John Candy was in 'It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time' and the children's sitcom 'Coming Up Rosie' with Dan Aykroyd.
1976: Appearances in Films and TV
In 1976, John Candy appeared in films like 'The Clown Murders' and 'Find the Lady', and played a supporting role on Peter Gzowski's talk show '90 Minutes Live' with Rick Moranis.
1978: The Silent Partner and guest appearances
In 1978, John Candy had a small role in the Canadian thriller 'The Silent Partner' and guest-starred on shows like 'The David Steinberg Show' and 'King of Kensington'.
1979: Big City Comedy and film roles
In 1979, John Candy took a hiatus from SCTV and headlined his own short-lived sketch show 'Big City Comedy'. He also appeared in 'Lost and Found' and '1941'.
1981: Returns to SCTV Network
From 1981, John Candy returned to 'SCTV Network' on television.
1981: Stripes Release
In 1981, John Candy appeared in the film 'Stripes', which became one of the most successful films of the year. He also provided voices for multiple characters in the animated film 'Heavy Metal' in 1981.
1981: Tales of the Klondike
In 1981, John Candy did an episode of 'Tales of the Klondike' for Canadian TV.
1981: Roles in Stripes and Heavy Metal
In 1981, John Candy played Dewey Oxberger in 'Stripes' and voiced characters in 'Heavy Metal', receiving praise for his lighthearted portrayal in the "Den" segment.
1981: SCTV Picked Up by NBC and Emmy win
In 1981, NBC picked up the show Second City Television (SCTV) and it became a fan favorite. The show won an Emmy Award for writing in 1981.
1982: SCTV Returns to Toronto
In 1982, 'SCTV' returned to Toronto after being based in Edmonton for a few episodes.
1982: Second Emmy Award for SCTV
In 1982, 'Second City Television (SCTV)' won its second Emmy Award for the show's writing.
1983: Releases of National Lampoon's Vacation
In 1983, John Candy appeared in 'National Lampoon's Vacation'.
1983: Leaves SCTV
In 1983, John Candy left SCTV to concentrate on his film career.
1983: National Lampoon's Vacation and Saturday Night Live
In 1983, John Candy made a cameo in 'National Lampoon's Vacation' and hosted 'Saturday Night Live' twice while appearing on SCTV.
1984: Ghostbusters Role and Music Video Appearance
In 1984, John Candy was approached to play Louis Tully in 'Ghostbusters' but did not get the role. However, he contributed to the franchise by chanting "Ghostbusters" in Ray Parker Jr.'s music video.
1985: Releases of Brewster's Millions, Summer Rental, Follow That Bird
In 1985, John Candy starred in 'Brewster's Millions', 'Summer Rental', and made a cameo appearance in 'Follow That Bird'.
1985: The Last Polka, Brewster's Millions, Follow That Bird, Summer Rental, Volunteers Releases
In 1985, John Candy starred in 'The Last Polka', co-wrote with Eugene Levy. He was also in 'Brewster's Millions', 'Follow That Bird', 'Summer Rental', and 'Volunteers'.
1986: Releases of Armed and Dangerous, Little Shop of Horrors
In 1986, John Candy appeared in 'Armed and Dangerous' and had a cameo in 'Little Shop of Horrors'.
1986: Armed and Dangerous and Little Shop of Horrors Releases
In 1986, John Candy starred in 'Armed and Dangerous' and had a cameo in 'Little Shop of Horrors'.
1987: Really Weird Tales and Spaceballs Releases
In 1987, John Candy appeared in 'Really Weird Tales' and had a supporting role in 'Spaceballs'.
1987: Releases of Spaceballs, Planes, Trains and Automobiles
In 1987, John Candy appeared in 'Spaceballs' and 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'.
1987: Planes, Trains & Automobiles Release
In 1987, John Candy co-starred in 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' with Steve Martin, directed by John Hughes.
1988: Radio Kandy Host
From 1988, John Candy hosted "Radio Kandy", a radio music countdown syndicated by Premiere Networks.
1988: She's Having a Baby and The Great Outdoors Releases
In 1988, John Candy appeared in a cameo role in 'She's Having a Baby' and starred in 'The Great Outdoors'.
1988: 1988 Winter Olympics Reference
In 1988, was the year that the first Jamaican national bobsleigh team attempted to make it to the Winter Olympics, inspiring the film Cool Runnings.
1989: Releases of Uncle Buck, Who's Harry Crumb?
In 1989, John Candy starred in 'Uncle Buck' and 'Who's Harry Crumb?'.
1990: The Rescuers Down Under and Home Alone Releases
In 1990, John Candy provided the voice of Wilbur the Albatross in Disney's 'The Rescuers Down Under' and had a cameo in 'Home Alone'.
1991: Toronto Argonauts Ownership
In 1991, Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky, and John Candy became owners of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts.
1991: Releases of Nothing But Trouble
In 1991, John Candy appeared in 'Nothing But Trouble'.
1991: Career Opportunities Release
In 1991, John Candy had a cameo in the film 'Career Opportunities'.
1991: Only the Lonely, Nothing But Trouble, JFK and other releases
In 1991, John Candy starred in 'Only the Lonely', had a supporting role in 'Nothing But Trouble', and played a dramatic role in 'JFK'.
1992: Once Upon a Crime and Boris and Natasha: The Movie Releases
In 1992, John Candy starred in 'Once Upon a Crime...' and had a cameo in 'Boris and Natasha: The Movie'.
1993: Cool Runnings and Rookie of the Year Releases
In 1993, John Candy starred in 'Cool Runnings' and had a cameo in 'Rookie of the Year'.
March 4, 1994: John Candy's Death
On March 4, 1994, John Candy passed away. He was a Canadian actor and comedian best known for his Hollywood film roles.
1994: John Candy's Death and Wagons East Release
In 1994, John Candy died of a heart attack. The film 'Wagons East' was dedicated to his memory.
1994: Hostage for a Day and Wagons East Releases
In 1994, John Candy made his directorial debut in 'Hostage for a Day' and appeared in 'Wagons East'.
1994: Ween's album Chocolate and Cheese dedicated to John Candy
In 1994, the experimental rock band Ween's album Chocolate and Cheese was dedicated to John Candy (1950–1994).
1995: Canadian Bacon Release
In 1995, 'Canadian Bacon' was released; it was one of John Candy's last appearances.
2000: Blues Brothers 2000 dedicated to John Candy
In 2000, Blues Brothers 2000 was dedicated to John Candy, who played a supporting role in the original Blues Brothers.
2006: Last Holiday Remake Release
In 2006, the remake of the 1950 film Last Holiday was released, with Queen Latifah in the role that John Candy was considered for.
November 2007: Tribute hosted by Dan Aykroyd at Grey Cup festivities
In November 2007, a tribute to John Candy was hosted by Dan Aykroyd at the 2007 Grey Cup festivities in Toronto.
2007: Names Added to Grey Cup Trophy
In 2007, John Candy's and Wayne Gretzky's names were added to the Grey Cup trophy as owners of the Toronto Argonauts, who won in 1991.
October 31, 2020: "John Candy Day" proclaimed in Toronto
On October 31, 2020, Toronto Mayor John Tory proclaimed "John Candy Day" to honor what would have been John Candy's 70th birthday.
September 4, 2025: John Candy: I Like Me documentary premieres
On September 4, 2025, John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary film about Candy's life and career, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, premiered as the opening film of the Toronto International Film Festival.
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