Canadian Comedy Legend, John Candy, left his mark on Hollywood in a profound way before his untimely death in 1994 from a heart attack. Candy rose through the comedy ranks in Second City’s Toronto chapter alongside the likes of Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. Throughout his twenty-two year career, Candy was beloved by fans and costars alike, even earning a day in his honor in his hometown of Toronto. He may have been born in Canada, but he was America’s uncle. Whether he was the star of the show or played a cameo, Candy was sure to make the audience laugh. Let’s take a look at John Candy’s funniest roles.
9/9 1941 (1979)
One of Candy’s first regular appearances was in Steven Spielberg’s epic war film; no, not the one we’re talking about 1941, Spielberg’s comedic take on the war story. Appearing alongside comedic greats like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and Michael McKean, Candy stands out as someone destined to have a long and hilarious career ahead of her.
8/9 Brewster’s Millions (1985)
John Candy and Richard Pryor, say no more; the duo star in the 1985 comedy Brewster’s millions. This one often remade film tells the story of a minor league baseball player played by Pryor, who must spend $30 million in thirty days if he wants to inherit $300 million, with some hilarious circumstances thrown in, including not being able to tell anyone what he’s doing. Along with the ride is his best friend and teammate, played by Candy. The over-the-top Candy goes face-to-face with legend, Richard Pryor for one of his funniest roles.
7/9 Splash (1984)
Splash is not only one of John Candy’s funniest roles, but features arguably the funniest scene in all of his films, as his epic racquetball game with Tom Hanks in the film is pure comedy gold. While Tom Hanks falls in love with a mermaid, Candy is along for the ride that delivers comedy gold. While the movie as a whole may not stand up to some of Candy’s others, it is, along with the racquetball, one of Candy’s funniest.
6/9 National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
National Lampoon’s vacation is not a John Candy movie. In fact, his appearance doesn’t come until late in the third act, but the actor’s comedic brilliance lands the role on this list. It takes a great comedic talent to leave a lasting impression with so little screen time. Playing the hapless security guard held hostage in Walley World, Candy continues to be a standout in this classic comedy.
5/9 The Outdoors (1988)
John Candy is at his best when he has a straight man to play against. A good example of this is the 1988 comedy, The wide nature, along with fellow Second City alumni Dan Aykroyd. The duo are able to flex the comedic muscles they both honed at the Canada-based sketch comedy troop. A rivalry between two families sparked by Aykroyd and Candy makes for a hilarious movie and one of Candy’s funniest roles.
4/9 Home Alone (1990)
While his appearance in this Christmas classic doesn’t last very long, when you think of the Polka King of the Midwest, John Candy’s hilarious cameo in Home alone. Paired with another Second City alum, Candy’s musical troop in the film helps Catherine O’Hara’s character desperately return to her song Kevin, who was left home all alone over Christmas. When Candy teamed up with John Hughes, hilarious magic ensued.
3/9 Space Balls (1987)
John Candy’s career includes working with not one but two of the most prolific comedy directors of all time, John Hughes and Mel Brooks. The latter directed Candy as Barf in the classic sci-fi film, Space balls. Barf appears as the Chewbecca parody character in Brooks’ spoof on Star Wars. It was a bold move by Brooks to parody one of the most celebrated franchises in history, but with a great cast and talent like Candy, the movie was sure to be a hit. It’s Candy’s most “out there” role and hands down one of his funniest.
2/9 Planes, Trains and Cars (1987)
Not only does John Candy claim to star in one of the greatest road trip movies of all time, but also one of the few Thanksgiving holiday movies. The chemistry between Candy and Steve Martin is incredible and helps take the comedy in the movie to a new level. Again, playing the over-the-top character against his straight man co-star, the big-hearted, often antagonistic traveling companion, is one of Candy’s best comedies.
1/9 Uncle Buck (1989)
Uncle Bok is the defining film of John Candy’s career. The movie is extremely quotable, packed with laughter, full of heart and remains one of the best family movies of all time. Some comedy actors have performances that are funnier than other roles that stand out as more successful. In Candy’s case Uncle Bok is both his funniest role and best film. They don’t make movies like that Uncle Bok any more, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone replicating John Candy’s heart and comedy.