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Nearly 30 year ago, on March 4, 1994, that Canadian actor John Candy died of a heart attack in Durango, Mexico. He was just 43 years old.
Best known for iconic roles in 1980's The Blues Brothers, 1987's Planes, Trains and Automobiles and 1989's Uncle Buck, Candy was a beloved Hollywood figure, and a staple in comedy for more than two decades.
Today, he remains beloved, and to mark the 28th anniversary of his tragic death, fans flocked to social media with virtual tributes to the late actor.
Posting a myriad of photos of the Wagons East star and highlight reels of his best on-screen moments, including clips from Spaceballs, Cool Runnings and Home Alone, many Twitters users penned heartfelt captions describing the significant impact Candy's movies had on their lives and emotions.
"We lost the amazing John Candy [on this day] in 1994," Twitter user @TSting18 wrote. "Not many actors have the ability to take you on an emotional rollercoaster quite like John Candy did. He was funny as hell, but he could break your heart in a second."
"The only way to list every single brilliant movie and SCTV sketch John Candy was in, is if Twitter allows 1,000 characters. So, I'll just say this. He made good movies great, and great movies classic," Canadian music correspondent Eric Alper tweeted.
"He is still missed," Alper added.
Though born in Ontario, his many roles in major Hollywood comedies endeared him to an American audience. In a recent examination of the legacy he left behind following his death in 1994, Hollywood Insider praised Candy's affable persona.
"To this day, John Candy is fondly remembered for being America's uncle, being a figure of positivity and laughter during many childhoods," Hollywood Insider writer Brianna Benozich wrote. "John Candy and his films were childhood staples for many, thanks to his working-class everyman charm and larger-than-life characters."
Despite battling multiple substance abuse issues throughout his career, including heavy smoking, alcoholism and cocaine addiction, many of the late actor's co-stars have echoed the sentiments of his fans, assuring that Candy's on-screen demeanor was the result of a kind and genuine man.
In 2019, actor Eugene Levy—who appeared alongside Candy on the seminal sketch comedy show SCTV—described his experience working with Candy to Canada's CTV News.
"I loved John dearly," Levy said. "John was a lovely man...who cared deeply about people. And he was, I think, one of the most gifted comedic actors that honestly has ever been in the business."
"He made such an impact in his movies and people truly loved him," Levy told CTV News. "It always seems like John is still around. That's how much of an impact he made on your life, you know? You're still kind of waiting for a phone call."
Nearly three decades after his passing, fans continue to mourn the late John Candy and—like Levy—continue to acknowledge the comedy icon's seemingly-everlasting presence.
"In hard times such as these, a smile from #JohnCandy is terribly missed," Twitter user @JLaC975 lamented. "My favorite actor."
"A man whose best movies showed laughter, decency, humility, family and most importantly...love," user @MuskokaCoach18 tweeted.
"He is missed and still loved by so many. The world would be a better place if we all took more lessons from John Candy and his films," they added.
About the writer
Taylor McCloud is a Newsweek staff writer based in California. His focus is reporting on trending and viral topics. Taylor ... Read more