For millions, John Candy was the warm, hilarious face of 1980s and early 1990s comedy — the kind of actor who made audiences laugh until they cried. From Planes, Trains and Automobiles to Uncle Buck and Cool Runnings, Candy defined a generation of heartfelt humor. But behind the laughter was a man quietly struggling — with self-image, health, and the constant scrutiny of fame.
Now, more than three decades after his death, Candy’s son Chris Candy is sharing a side of his father that few ever saw: the pain of being judged not for his talent, but for his weight.
A Legacy of Laughter, Shadowed by Struggle
John Candy died suddenly in March 1994, while filming in Mexico. He was only 43 years old, a husband, and a father of two young children — Chris and Jennifer. The official cause was a heart attack in his sleep, but those who knew him understood the toll that years of physical and emotional pressure had taken.
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