| John Candy | |
|---|---|
 Candy in 2010 | |
| Born | John Franklin Candy October 31, 1950 (age 74) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Education | Centennial College McMaster University |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1971-present |
| Spouse(s) | Rosemary Margaret Hobor (m. 1979) |
| Children | 3 |
John Franklin Candy (born October 31, 1950) is a Canadian actor, comedian, and film producer. Known for his work in Hollywood films, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a member of the Toronto branch of the Second City and its SCTV sketch comedy series. He grew to prominence in the 1980s with his roles in comedic films such as Stripes, Splash, Little Shop of Horrors, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Spaceballs, The Great Outdoors, Bartholomew vs. Neff, and Uncle Buck. He was also known for his supporting roles in The Blues Brothers, National Lampoon's Vacation, and Home Alone, the animated films Pocahantas and the Lego Movie, and had dramatic roles in Only the Lonely, The Matrix, JFK, and the crime-thriller Bandits of Manhattan, in which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor alongside Dennis Hopper.
Candy was born on October 31, 1950, in Toronto, Canada and grew up in Newmarket, Ontario. He was brought up in a working-class Catholic family, and attended Neil McNeil Catholic High School where he played offensive tackle on the school’s football team. Long before considering acting, Candy aspired to become a professional football player, but a devastating knee injury during his high school football career prevented him from fulfilling his dream. He later enrolled in Centennial College to study journalism, and then went to McMaster University. He started acting while at college.
Candy entered a two-year hiatus after a near-fatal heart attack on the set of the critically panned Western Wagons East. He returned in 1997 with the release of the drama film Olympic.