BR-BOOKS-John-Candy
A new biography of Canadian comedy legend John Candy delves into the private battles he faced away from the cameras.
Toronto-born author Paul Myers says he didn’t set out to dig up dirt on the “S-C-T-V” funnyman, but wanted to know more about the creative drive that led to indelible performances in “Splash,” “Uncle Buck” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
His book “John Candy: A Life in Comedy” includes interviews with many of Candy’s famous friends, including Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O’Hara and Dave Thomas.
They mostly describe a kind and generous soul who was often as jovial as his onscreen characters.
But some also say Candy privately stewed over fat jokes directed at him in scripts and interviews.
Others recall anxiety attacks, and Candy’s struggle to say no, including to a final film job that sent him to a high-altitude set in sweltering Mexico.
He died there of heart failure in 1994.
Myers says Candy would have turned 75 on October 31st had he lived.
“John Candy: A Life in Comedy” comes out tomorrow.
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