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John Candy died too young. Thankfully, he left us the SCTV comedy series and a collection of feature films. John Candy: A Life in Comedy, by Paul Myers (2025, House of Anansi Press). Myers is the brother of actor Mike Myers (The Spy Who Shagged Me, Wayne’s World).

I haven’t seen the new documentary about Candy, but I will. Myers’ book is mislabeled, there was much in John Candy’s life that wasn’t funny, though he will always be remembered for the comedy TV and film roles. A better title might be: A Life Too Short, But Lived Well.

This book is more a tribute than a scholarly work. No one seemed to have a bad word about John Candy. He is remembered with fondness, gratitude and the way he made people feel. That’s a hell of a way to be remembered, we should all be so fortunate.

John Candy lived large, and he had a big heart. He left happiness in his wake. If you were in his circle, he brought you along. He was loyal and found jobs for his friends and those he previously worked with. He was generous, especially with young actors and fans. He had been in their shoes.

Candy battled a few demons in his life, and they ganged up on him at the end. Stress, panic attacks, self-worth, drink, food, smoking, poor self-care, work and money issues – many people could see it. Toward the end of his life, friends grew concerned. He fought his weight, his bad life habits, poor career choices – there were ups and downs. Candy’s father died a young man; Candy was surprised that he surpassed his father’s age.

Candy was not unlike other actors known for sketch comedy or standup, they wanted to be taken more seriously, and that meant tackling more dramatic acting roles. Candy was able to land several and was praised for his performances. He could turn primarily comedic roles into memorable and poignant moments. Remember Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Only the Lonely? Heartfelt characters moments.

The book covers Candy’s released films, television appearances, and the projects he turned down or that never were. He left some good roles on the tabled for whatever reason, and agreed to do some poorly performing films. The more powerful and famous Candy became, the more tempted he seemed to go for the paycheck or commit to projects his friends were attached to. Nothing But Trouble was Dan Aykroyd’s debacle. Armed and Dangerous was originally supposed to co-star Aykroyd and directed by John Carpenter, but bailed and left Candy to carry on. Wagons East was the result of a different film to be made by John Hughes and co-starring Sylvester Stallone. That film didn’t happen and Candy was cash-strapped at the time, and felt contractually bound. He died while making this film. Canadian Bacon was made before Wagons East, but released later. Michael Moore wrote and directed this humorous political satire that was dumped by its studio and lost any effort to find an audience. It is remembered as Candy’s last screen role in a film no one saw or took seriously.

John Candy was the breakout star of SCTV, although many of his colleagues found substantial success in TV and film. His roles in Splash!, National Lampoon’s Vacation and Stripes were huge and he stole the scenes he was in. Uncle Buck and Planes, Trains and Automobiles made him a bankable box office star.

John Candy: A Life in Comedy will entertain but leave you asking questions. Why didn’t loved ones and friends intervene to stop his destructive behavior? Why didn’t studios or his management take notice of his health and get him help? The dangerous conveyor belt had only one speed: faster.

A good, but not great book. Still, an enjoyable read.