John Candy: Remembered through film and family, his children share heartfelt memories in a new documentary celebrating his enduring legacy.
John Candy, beloved Canadian comedian known to audiences as Del Griffith or Uncle Buck, was simply “dad” to his children. He filled their lives with warmth and love, creating a lasting legacy that continues to resonate with fans through his unforgettable roles, particularly in iconic John Hughes films. Years after John Candy’s heart attack death, his kids, Chris Candy and Jennifer Candy-Sullivan, view his movies differently. The documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” has given them fresh insights into their dad’s career and personal journey. The film sheds light on who he was beyond the screen.
The film uses old footage, rare interviews, behind-the-scenes recordings, and handpicked movie scenes to honor John Candy’s incredible career and lasting influence. It also gives fans a personal, never-before-shared glimpse into the comedian who won millions over with his charm and sincere kindness.
John Candy and Dan Aykroyd during production of The Great Outdoors in October 1987.
Photo credit: Guywelch2000, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
“I think the most memorable scene is in ‘The Great Outdoors,’ when the character goes out on a boat with his son,” said Chris, 41, while talking to the Post about John Candy’s outdoorsy 1988 comedy. His tone carried a sense of nostalgia as he reflected on that emotional moment.
“It’s a tiny moment,” the son says. “Oh, you’re taking me out here the same way your dad brought you here,” he added, thinking about the touching conversation. “And our dad just says, ‘Yeah.'”
Chris explained that moments like this feel different now after losing his father to a heart attack at 43 in March 1994. Watching it through the documentary’s lens brings a heavier emotional weight and deeper meaning.
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Chris, who lost his well-known father when he was just 9, spoke with clear emotion. “Since he lacked that experience, or if he did have it, it was when he was very young, it shifts how you view these films,” he shared. “In every movie, there are moments scattered that reveal so much. As an actor, he added a layer of emotion to these comedies tied directly to what he lived through.”
John Candy’s dad died of a heart attack in 1955, the same fate the comedian faced 40 years later. He was 35 when he passed away. The “SCTV” star was just 4 at the time. “I Like Me” shows how this tragedy left a deep mark on Candy, affecting him for much of his adult life and shaping his path as a person and actor.
Jennifer shared that rewatching her dad’s movies after he passed away helps her feel like she’s revisiting moments he might not have lived himself. It’s a mix of joy and sadness. She was 14 when her father passed 31 years ago, leaving behind memories filled with laughter and love.
“It’s like living it all over again,” said Jennifer, 45. “Through his films, he could build moments he might’ve missed out on in real life. And it’s also about leaving bits of him behind, like memories to pass down — small parts of him that future generations can treasure.”
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She mentioned “Summer Rental” from 1985 and “Uncle Buck” from 1989 as films that feel meaningful to her. These movies, dear to her heart, offer a glimpse into the bond they could have kept sharing as father and daughter.
“Most of the time, the daughter’s name turns out to be Jennifer,” Jennifer said, her voice sounding warm as she thought about these personal links. “There’s this part where he’s talking to his daughter, and it feels like a talk I might’ve had when I got older — those meaningful times we never got to share but can still feel through what he created.”
“Or in ‘Uncle Buck,’ there’s that scene where he’s in the car guessing the kids’ names—Jeremy, Christie, Burt,” Chris said, a smile breaking across his face as he remembered. “It’s such a real and funny moment, and it shows how amazing Dad’s timing was in comedy. The way he paused or hesitated just a little mixed with that warmth he always had wasn’t just him acting—it was just who Dad was. He brought that natural charm into every character. Those little real moments are why people found his work so memorable and easy to connect with.”
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Chris said “I Like Me” is much more than a typical film about his father. He viewed the documentary as a heartfelt closing chapter that captures John Candy’s outstanding career and his influence on entertainment in a memorable way.
“This film adds so much to his body of work,” Chris told The Post, his voice loaded with pride. “When he passed away, it happened so fast. His final movies didn’t show his best work. But the documentary does something special—it shines a light on his entire career, showcasing his standout roles and poignant moments. It also brings people together and highlights what made him unforgettable. It feels like a love letter to his career and to the man he was beyond the screen.”
Chris said the screenings with Ryan Reynolds feel amazing. “They feel like a John Candy convention where people tell stories, laugh, and share their favorite moments. Watching how much people still love Dad’s work and his energy is really special.”
Jennifer said, “I Like Me” will help new generations find and enjoy her father’s legacy. She believes it will keep bringing fun and happiness to audiences in the years to come.
“If people leave this documentary learning anything new about Dad, or if it pushes them to tell their kids, ‘Let’s start watching these movies as a family,’ and they get to explore Dad’s amazing work and take joy in it, that’s what matters most,” she said. Her words showed how much she wanted her father’s memory to live on through his creations.
Jennifer ended by saying full of feeling, “We hope his legacy and the love people have for him carry on.” She added, “It’s about keeping his spirit alive with the laughter and happiness he gave to so many.”
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“John Candy: I Like Me” premiered on Prime Video streaming on October 10 after earning praise during its showing at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. The film shares the story of the beloved actor with a global audience.
Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort teamed up with Amazon MGM Studios to produce the documentary. Colin Hanks, son of iconic actor Tom Hanks, directed the project. His perspective added depth and understanding to the tribute.
Chris and Jennifer worked as co-executive producers on the film. They talked about their experience working with Reynolds and Colin Hanks. They appreciated how everyone collaborated to create this heartfelt project.
“It’s been an amazing experience,” Chris shared with The Post, his gratitude clear. “Ryan isn’t a collaborator—he’s passionate about our dad’s work. His ideas about who he wanted to involve, played a huge part in shaping the project. He was key in bringing Colin on board, and that made all the difference in what the project turned into.”
Jennifer smiled as she joined in. “When we found out Colin would direct and wanted to take this journey with us, we felt certain the story was in safe hands. Working with both Ryan and Colin has been a privilege. They got how important it was to do justice to Dad’s story.”
The documentary highlights many big names from Hollywood who admired and collaborated with Candy. It includes touching moments from Billy Murray, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and Macaulay Culkin, as they speak about their own stories and memories with him.
Chris and Jennifer shared that they stay in touch with all of their dad’s famous friends from his remarkable career. Along with their mom Rosemary, now 76, they work to keep those special relationships strong.
“They’re part of our lives every day,” Chris said with a warm smile. “Macaulay is a newer part of the crew – Jen was a guest on his podcast not long ago – but we often run into Marty [Short] and Eugene [Levy]. They’re like constants in our world, keeping Dad’s spirit with us through the bond we all still share.”
“They make sure we stay connected to our dad’s legacy,” he added gratefully. “We’re all intertwined in each other’s lives in such a natural and lovely way. Whether it’s at events or smaller get-togethers, any chance we have to reconnect feels special. It’s moments like those that let Dad’s memory feel alive and close to us.”
Header photo: John Candy and Dan Aykroyd during production of The Great Outdoors in October 1987.
Photo credit: Guywelch2000, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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