History of John Candy in Timeline
John Candy, a prominent Canadian actor and comedian, gained recognition in the 1970s as a member of the Toronto Second City and its SCTV series. His comedic talent propelled him to international stardom in the 1980s through roles in hit films such as "Stripes," "Splash," "Brewster's Millions," "Armed and Dangerous," "Spaceballs," "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," "The Great Outdoors," "Uncle Buck," and "Cool Runnings." Alongside his leading roles, Candy contributed memorable supporting performances in films including "The Blues Brothers," "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Little Shop of Horrors," "Home Alone," and "Nothing but Trouble." His comedic legacy continues to resonate with audiences.
1913: Candy's Paternal Grandparents Immigrate to Canada
John Candy's paternal grandparents immigrated to Canada in 1913.
1921: Canadian Census Records
The 1921 Canadian census records show John Candy's paternal grandparents immigrated to Canada in 1913.
1941: N/A
This date value is a movie title misconstrued as a date. Please refer to the 1979 entry for the actual date's events.
October 31, 1950: Birth of John Candy
John Candy was born on October 31, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
1950: Last Holiday Remake Consideration
John Candy was initially considered for a role in the remake of the 1950 film "Last Holiday", but the role ultimately went to Queen Latifah in the 2006 version.
1950: Ween Album Dedication
The band Ween dedicated their 1994 album "Chocolate and Cheese" to John Candy, who was born in 1950.
1955: Death of John Candy's Father
John Candy's father passed away in 1955 when John was five years old.
1971: Creeps
In 1971, John Candy was cast in the play "Creeps".
1972: Joins The Second City
John Candy joined Toronto's branch of The Second City in 1972.
1973: Class of '44
John Candy had an uncredited appearance in the film "Class of '44" in 1973.
1974: Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins
From 1974-1975, John Candy had a regular role in the TV series "Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins".
1975: Police Surgeon, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, and Coming Up Rosie
In 1975, Candy appeared in "Police Surgeon," "It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time," and started his role in the sitcom "Coming Up Rosie."
1976: The Clown Murders, Find the Lady, and 90 Minutes Live
In 1976, Candy appeared in "The Clown Murders" and "Find the Lady", and had a supporting role on "90 Minutes Live".
1976: Tunnel Vision
In 1976, John Candy had a small role in "Tunnel Vision".
1978: The Silent Partner
In 1978, John Candy had a small role in "The Silent Partner".
1979: Lost and Found and 1941
In 1979, John Candy appeared in "Lost and Found" and "1941".
1980: Roadshow
In 1980, John Candy hosted the short-lived NBC television program "Roadshow".
1980: The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog, Double Negative, and The Blues Brothers
In 1980, John Candy appeared in "The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog", "Double Negative", and "The Blues Brothers".
1980: The Blues Brothers
In 1980, John Candy appeared in "The Blues Brothers".
1981: SCTV Network
From 1981 to 1983, John Candy appeared in "SCTV Network" on television.
1981: Tales of the Klondike
In 1981, John Candy appeared in an episode of "Tales of the Klondike".
1981: Stripes and Heavy Metal
In 1981, John Candy starred in "Stripes" and provided voices for the animated film "Heavy Metal".
1981: Stripes and SCTV
In 1981, John Candy starred in the hit comedy film "Stripes" and joined the cast of the influential sketch comedy show SCTV.
1981: SCTV on NBC
In 1981, NBC picked up SCTV, which gained popularity and won Emmy Awards in 1981 and 1982 for its writing.
1982: SCTV Emmy Win
SCTV won its second Emmy Award for writing in 1982.
1983: National Lampoon's Vacation and Going Berserk
In 1983, John Candy made a cameo appearance in "National Lampoon's Vacation" and starred in "Going Berserk".
1983: National Lampoon's Vacation, Going Berserk and Saturday Night Live
In 1983, John Candy made a cameo appearance in "National Lampoon's Vacation", starred in "Going Berserk", and hosted Saturday Night Live.
1984: Splash
In 1984, John Candy appeared in the comedy film "Splash".
1984: Ghostbusters
In 1984, John Candy contributed to the "Ghostbusters" franchise by chanting the movie's title in Ray Parker Jr.'s music video, although he did not get to play the role of Louis Tully.
1985: Brewster's Millions and Summer Rental
In 1985, John Candy starred in "Brewster's Millions" and had his first lead role in a Hollywood film with "Summer Rental".
1985: The Last Polka, Brewster's Millions, Follow That Bird, Summer Rental, Volunteers, The Canadian Conspiracy, and Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood.
In 1985, John Candy starred in "The Last Polka" (which he co-wrote), "Brewster's Millions," and "Summer Rental," made cameo appearances in "Follow That Bird" and "The Canadian Conspiracy", and appeared in "Volunteers" and "Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood".
1986: Armed and Dangerous and Little Shop of Horrors
In 1986, John Candy starred in "Armed and Dangerous" and appeared in "Little Shop of Horrors".
1986: Armed and Dangerous and Little Shop of Horrors
In 1986, John Candy starred in "Armed and Dangerous" and made a cameo appearance in "Little Shop of Horrors".
1987: Planes, Trains & Automobiles
In 1987, John Candy co-starred with Steve Martin in the John Hughes film "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," which received positive reviews and grossed almost $50 million at the US box office.
1987: Spaceballs and Really Weird Tales
In 1987, John Candy appeared in "Spaceballs" and "Really Weird Tales".
1987: Spaceballs and Really Weird Tales
In 1987, John Candy appeared in "Spaceballs" and "Really Weird Tales".
1988: Radio Kandy
From 1988 to 1990, John Candy hosted the syndicated radio show "Radio Kandy".
1988: She's Having a Baby and The Great Outdoors
In 1988, Candy made a cameo appearance in John Hughes's film "She's Having a Baby" and starred alongside Dan Aykroyd in "The Great Outdoors," another film written by Hughes.
1988: The Great Outdoors
In 1988, John Candy starred in "The Great Outdoors".
1988: Hot to Trot and Radio Kandy
In 1988, John Candy voiced Don the Horse in the film "Hot to Trot" and also started hosting "Radio Kandy," a syndicated music countdown.
1988: Cool Runnings
The film "Cool Runnings" (1993), starring John Candy, tells the story of the Jamaican bobsled team's journey to the 1988 Winter Olympics.
1989: Who's Harry Crumb?, Speed Zone, Uncle Buck, and Camp Candy
1989 was a busy year for Candy. He starred in and produced "Who's Harry Crumb?", appeared in "Speed Zone," had a hit with "Uncle Buck" (written and directed by John Hughes), and launched "Camp Candy," an animated series and comic book. He also appeared in the TV film "The Rocket Boy."
1989: Uncle Buck
In 1989, John Candy starred in "Uncle Buck".
1990: The Rescuers Down Under, Home Alone, and Stella Casting
In 1990, Candy voiced Wilbur in Disney's "The Rescuers Down Under," had a cameo in "Home Alone," and was considered for but ultimately declined a role in "Stella" due to a disagreement with Bette Midler.
1990: Home Alone
In 1990, John Candy appeared in "Home Alone".
1991: Only the Lonely, Nothing But Trouble, Delirious, JFK
In 1991, Candy starred in "Only the Lonely," had a supporting role in "Nothing But Trouble," appeared in "Delirious," and played a dramatic role in Oliver Stone's "JFK."
1991: Nothing But Trouble
In 1991, John Candy appeared in "Nothing But Trouble".
1991: Toronto Argonauts Ownership and Grey Cup Victory
In 1991, John Candy became a co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts, who won the Grey Cup that year.
1991: Toronto Argonauts Grey Cup Victory
In 1991, the Toronto Argonauts, co-owned by John Candy, won the Grey Cup.
1991: Career Opportunities
John Candy had a cameo role in the film "Career Opportunities" in 1991.
1992: Once Upon a Crime... and Boris and Natasha: The Movie
In 1992, Candy appeared in the films "Once Upon a Crime..." and "Boris and Natasha: The Movie."
1993: Cool Runnings and Rookie of the Year
In 1993, Candy starred in the hit film "Cool Runnings" and made a cameo appearance in "Rookie of the Year."
1993: Cool Runnings
In 1993, John Candy starred in "Cool Runnings".
March 4, 1994: Death of John Candy
John Candy passed away on March 4, 1994.
March 18, 1994: John Candy Memorial Service
A memorial service for John Candy, produced by the Second City, was broadcast across Canada on March 18, 1994.
1994: Hostage for a Day
Candy made his directorial debut with the comedy TV film "Hostage for a Day" in 1994.
1994: Death and Dedication
John Candy died in 1994. His final films, "Wagons East" and "Canadian Bacon", were dedicated to his memory.
1994: Ween Album Dedication
The Ween album "Chocolate and Cheese", released in 1994, was dedicated to John Candy.
1995: Canadian Bacon Release
"Canadian Bacon", John Candy's final film appearance, was released posthumously in 1995.
1995: Wagons East and Canadian Bacon
John Candy's last film appearances were in "Wagons East" (1994) and "Canadian Bacon" (1995).
1998: Canada's Walk of Fame
Candy was posthumously inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998.
2000: Blues Brothers 2000 Dedication
The film "Blues Brothers 2000" was dedicated to John Candy.
May 2006: Canada Post Stamp
In May 2006, Candy was honored with a Canadian postage stamp.
2006: Last Holiday Remake Release
The remake of "Last Holiday," for which John Candy was initially considered, was released in 2006 starring Queen Latifah.
November 2007: Dan Aykroyd's Tribute
Dan Aykroyd hosted a tribute to John Candy at the 2007 Grey Cup festivities in Toronto.
2007: Grey Cup Trophy Correction
In 2007, the CFL added Candy's name to the 1991 Grey Cup trophy, correcting the original omission.
October 31, 2020: John Candy Day
On October 31, 2020, Toronto Mayor John Tory proclaimed "John Candy Day" in honor of Candy's 70th birthday.