John Candy: A Life in Comedy

by Paul Myers

From the bestselling author of Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy, the definitive biography of John Candy—a heartwarming portrait of one of comedy’s most beloved and enduring stars.

From his humble beginnings in sketch comedy with the Toronto branch of Second City, to his rise to fame in SCTV and Hollywood film classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck, John Candy captivated audiences with his self-deprecating humour, emotional warmth, and gift for improvisation. Now, for the first time since Candy’s tragic death, bestselling biographer Paul Myers tells the full story of the man behind the laughs.

Drawing on extensive research and exclusive interviews with many of Candy’s closest friends and colleagues, including Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Steve Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and many more, John Candy: A Life in Comedy celebrates the comedian’s unparalleled talent, infectious charm, and generosity of spirit. Through ups and downs, successes and failures, and struggles with anxiety and self-doubt, Candy faced the world with a big smile and a warm demeanour that earned him the love and adoration of fans around the world.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Canada, Audiobook, Pop Culture, Film, Humor

367 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Audiences can't relate to a guy who's acting superior to them, because, deep down, we all feel like inadequate weaklings. John Candy was highly relatable in the sense because he personally lacked arrogance, and his characters were never really arrogant, so he never lost that self-effacing nature. Candy's characters put on a brave face and laugh it off, and when he smiled and laughed, you smiled and laughed." -- comedy historian / writer Kliph Nesteroff spittin' facts, page 325

Sometimes in the comment section of a posted YouTube video the viewers type some pretty humorous thoughts. However, I especially appreciate it when folks are at their most sincere. For example, take 'Getting John Candy's Autograph' from 2008, which featured responses such as "God, I miss John Candy" (I agree) and "No doubt, Candy is keeping the angels in constant laughter" (what a perfect sentiment). It's been just over thirty years since his untimely passing - at the young age of 43 - and author Paul Myers examines the times and career of the late Canadian comedic actor with the his John Candy: A Life in Comedy. Refreshingly and heartwarmingly, this is not any standard show biz bio with a sleaze factor, as across the board Candy was beloved by his co-workers, co-stars, and family/friends who nary had a bad word to say about him. A native of Toronto, Candy came of age in an amazing comedy scene which also produced Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Gilda Radner and Martin Short, among many others. First making a name for himself performing various characters on the late 1970's sketch series SCTV (I used to love watching the reruns on the Comedy Central network in the late 80's / early 90's), he soon moved into supporting movie roles including The Blues Brothers, Stripes, and National Lampoon's Vacation before graduating to leading man status in the hits Planes, Trains & Automobiles (I still crack up at his scene of lip-synching / piano-miming Ray Charles' 'Mess Around' while piloting a Chrysler LeBaron down a highway in the middle of the night) and Uncle Buck. Even if the movie was not particularly noteworthy or even much good, Candy was relatively critic-proof as he often delivered a humorous performance. One of the more intriguing snippets included was that Candy - during one of his rare dramatic roles in director Oliver Stone's saga JFK - got along so well with fellow supporting actor Gary Oldman that they had considered performing a live theatrical version of Macbeth in New York City's Central Park, with Oldman in the title role and Candy as Falstaff. What a missed opportunity that sounds absolutely amazing!

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a great fan of John Candy and so when I received this ARC I was thrilled.d. The book did not disappoint, as Paul Myers did a great job of documenting Candy's life from early childhood to his unfortunate death in Durango, Mexico. Fair and well-balanced, and filled with quotes from Candy's co-stars and friends, Myers faithfully follows his career. We see the highs and the lows - and there were a lot more lows than I was aware of. But despite some of his movies getting panned, John Candy was bullet proof. People loved him, his characters and was appreciated for moving from just comedy to dramatic roles in JFK, ONLY THE LONELY & Cool Runnings. The book also does a great job of educating me to the number of outstanding Comedians who began in SCTV in Toronto and eventually made their way to the US. A man who was known for his kindness and fair treatment of his co-stars (the story about Maureen O'Hara on the set of Only the Lonely stands out), and his death affected so many people. A big I can really recommend to one and all!!

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle to leave a negative review here, because who doesn’t love John Candy. Unfortunately somewhere between the methodical almost text book formula of the writing and the monosyllabic narration, the whole thing needed a jug of gravy!

Lots of interesting facts, and lots of really beautiful quotes, I rounded up to 3 but I can honestly say if I hadn’t loved John Candy so much I’d have rated lower.

My gratitude to Tantor Media via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

[Kelly (The Happiest Little Book Club)]

What a great biography. Whenever I think of John Candy in the movies and shows I watched growing up, I smile. He always seemed like a giant teddy bear.🧸🤎

We are so lucky to have him live on in his fabulous roles in Home Alone, Cool Runnings, Planes, Trains + Automobiles, etc.

I also loved hearing how generous and kind he was with everyone and anyone he worked with, not just other “A List” actors. I always thought he had a big heart and this book just confirmed it.

The audio was well narrated and full of loads of great stories.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Uncle Buck the best, especially the pancake scene. His personality was just like his public persona. He had a high emotional intelligence. Carl Reiner said he was the most alive person he had ever met.

[Karen Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media, and Paul Myers for providing me with an advance eaudiobook of "John Candy" in exchange for my honest review.

This book was an excellent tribute to the life and career of John Candy. I grew up watching his movies and marveling at his comedic acting skills. I learned a lot about John Candy, the man, through the research and interviews conducted by Paul Myers. John Candy was a brillant actor who struggled with demons throughout his life and suffered an untimely demise. I would highly recommend this book to fans of John Candy. The drawback to the audiobook was the narration of David Bendena. This audiobook would have been better served with a more comedic narrator or by one of John Candy's friends or costars.

[Catherine Victor Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to review a book about the life of someone. I do usually prefer when a memoir or biography is narrated by the person themselves although sometimes a good voice actor will do just as good a job. In this case I did feel the narration although adequate was just that adequate a bit dry in my opinion.
Content wise I did also feel it was a bit dry. Sometimes felt very technical in its knowledge. I felt to truly appreciate this you would have to not only be someone in the industry but specifically comedy. You'd have to know the ins and out to find a lot of the context insightful. As someone who was around 10 years old when John Candy died my knowledge of him didn't extend beyond Home Alone, Cool running, Blues brothers and bit here and there. I found those chapters more enjoyable, also interactions with other known comedians like Dan Ackroyd and Catherine O'hara, Eugene Levy etc
Even so I now know more than I did before about John's life and even about some of the other Canadian comedy stars he started with. His personal life although not focused on too much still highlights his humanity and tragedy.
Many thanks to Tantor Media for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Keyuiana (Schexylady) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching The Great Outdoors, Cool Runnings and other films John Candy acted in and he seemed like such a genuine, kind soul. When he passed, I remember being sad and feeling like he had the potential for a legendary career.
I especially like the way his friends and family reminisce about him.
This biography was written with such care about his weight struggles and his panic attacks toward the end of his brief life. This was one of the best biographies I have ever read. Well done!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes hesitate to read a biography about someone whose work I have enjoyed, out of a fear that I may read about how awful they were in their personal lives. Fortunately that wasn't the case here. John Candy was loved by everyone. The stories in the book made me go to YouTube to revisit scenes from the movies I had seen and to watch scenes from the ones I hadn't, especially the dramas. He was gone too soon, and I miss him.

[Maddi Harwood]

Loved this biography! If, like me, you grew up watching John Candy’s movies and they were a staple family movie night favorite in your home, I highly recommend this book!

[Tana Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have always been a John Candy fan. It was nice to see in this book, what my heart always knew, that he was a kind-hearted guy and a great actor. I appreciated the incite on him and his career. Give it a try.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't know how to rate this book. The writing was fine and the book was informative about the life of John Candy but it just wasn't very compelling reading. I enjoy memoirs and biographies and I don't need salacious details about the subject but it seems like what you saw with John Candy was what you got. Everyone in Candy's life loved him, He was a warm hearted, generous and talented man who loved his family and friends and fans. He also dealt with anxiety regarding his health and trauma from the death of his father when he was five. But it just doesn't make for very interesting reading.

*ARC supplied by NetGalley*

[Enid Wray · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at Candy's life - but nothing ground-breaking here in either the content or the presentation.

The author just moves through Candy's life from A to Z, offering summary observations and conclusions... and lots and lots of verbatim quotes from everyone under the sun.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.

2.5 rounded up to 3

[Translator Monkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I wish Myers had relied on and written from research, rather than simply repeating directed quotes from articles and books - I know it's not the case, but it certainly felt like two thirds of the book consisted of nothing more than quotes from family, friends, and Candy himself.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good book. alot of stuff everyone already knows so its nothing like omg I cant believe it, but its John candy so how could you not read it!

[Trevor Seigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Candy was a huge part of my childhood, even if I didn't realize it at the time. I probably saw most of his movies during my formative years, thanks to my mom's love of film and her job (one among many) working at video stores during the Eighties. I have a special fondness for "The Great Outdoors," "Only the Lonely," "Delerious," and (of course) "Uncle Buck." When Candy died at the tragically young age of forty-three, it was stunning. But he left behind quite a legacy.

"John Candy: A Life In Comedy," by Paul Myers, is a warm, loving tribute that manages to highlight not just Candy's strengths but also his foibles without being exploitative. Myers shows Candy's evolution from the star of "SCTV" to the main attraction of early films like "Stripes" and "National Lampoon's Vacation," on up to his starring vehicles in admittedly lesser films not worthy of his talents. But Candy had the good fortune to stumble into a creative partnership with John Hughes, whose pivot from teen comedies to more adult fare would benefit Candy enormously.

Chock full of insights from Candy's peers as well as his family members, "John Candy" is a wonderful, intimate look at a man more complicated than his onscreen persona. Early on I wondered if this book would suffer the Brooks Robinson Curse (years ago I'd read a bio of the All-Star HOF Baltimore Oriole which, while good, was utterly bereft of any negative or salacious details about Robinson, who seemed like a saint of a man off the field as well as on). Well, John Candy did suffer some darkness in his life, losing his father when he himself was not yet five. This started a thought in Candy's mind about whether he'd outlive his father in terms of age (he did, but only by about eight years) and also inspired him to live it up with good food and booze when he got the means to procure them. He never let his weight be the butt of the joke, and he likely died from a genetic dispensation towards heart issues that wasn't helped by his size. A passionate sports fan, he bought into a championship-winning Canadian football team but saw his investment be compromised by a shady business associate. And he died while filming a movie that was unworthy of his efforts.

But for all that, John Candy brought a lot of light and laughter to the world, and Paul Myers captures that in his wonderful new book. What a great book to start off the year 2026 with.

[Sheri Strba-Brozovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Candy: A Life in Comedy is the definitive biography of the beloved comedian, written by bestselling author Paul Myers. It follows Candy’s journey from his early sketch comedy days at Toronto’s Second City to his breakout success on SCTV and in iconic films like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck. Through extensive research and exclusive interviews with friends and collaborators—including Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, and Catherine O’Hara—the book paints a heartfelt portrait of Candy’s immense talent, warmth, and generosity. It also explores the personal challenges he faced, from anxiety to self-doubt, while celebrating the enduring impact he left on fans and the comedy world.

I love John Candy. I have loved John Candy since I saw Uncle Buck when I was 8. I watched that movie so many times I could recite the whole thing and I did. To this day my brother and I still do the birthday breakfast scene. So some of this documentary gutted me. John Candy is a guy that you just know eveyone loved and to know he didn't love himself hurts. He is truly one of the greats and I wish his story was different.

I really enjoyed hearing all the stories from fellow comedians and big names in the industry. I also appreciated seeing him as both a devoted family man, hockey lover and,a bit high maintenance—but always in a respectful, endearing way.

I don’t usually pick up biographies, but I knew this one was a must, and I’m so glad I did. The narrator brought his story to life beautifully.

[Brit · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, John Candy has always been either “Uncle Buck” or the lovable polka man from Home Alone. Only later did I realize that behind these iconic roles was John Candy—the comedy legend, beloved actor, and a person admired by colleagues and audiences alike. Although I had seen many of his films, I had never truly explored who he was off-screen. So when I saw this book, I didn’t hesitate for a second: I wanted to read it.

This biography - and in the audiobook version, wonderfully narrated - offers a detailed and heartfelt look at the life of an extraordinary man whose story deserved to be twice as long. John Candy was not just a funny guy on TV or in films. He was a man with a golden heart: demanding equality, loving and supporting his friends, caring for his colleagues, putting his heart into every role, and repeatedly proving that a person’s heart can indeed be bigger than themselves.

Of course, no life is without struggles. Candy’s greatest challenge was his weight and eating habits - a lifelong battle that followed him despite countless diets and efforts to change. He also carried a deep personal wound from losing his father at a young age. This left a gap in his life that never fully healed and influenced both his relationships and self-esteem.

What amazed me most was Candy’s incredible dedication to his career. The book highlights his persistence, creative risks, and relentless drive - continuing to push forward even after projects failed critically or commercially. He didn’t let setbacks stop him. He filmed, worked, wrote, sought new challenges, and kept laughing. At the same time, the biography doesn’t shy away from the darker sides - long shooting days, stress, partying, and exhausting schedules were all part of his reality. Yet the story is told with respect and tenderness, as a tribute to a family member, friend, and colleague, rather than just a celebrity.

The most difficult part of the book is inevitably the ending. Even though every John Candy fan knows how his life tragically ended, it still hits unexpectedly and painfully. The last phone calls, the approaching birthday, plans left unfinished - the writing conveys the sadness so that you feel it through the pages, even decades later.

John Candy: A Life in Comedy is a warm, heartfelt, and sincere biography that paints a portrait of a man whose humor made us laugh, but whose true greatness lay in his empathy, kindness, and work ethic. I would recommend it to both John Candy fans and anyone who enjoys well-written life stories. It’s a read worth experiencing - for the laughter, the memories, and the tender sadness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for this moving reading experience!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Candy was a bit before my time, dying when I was only four, so all of my memories of his work is tinged with the sadness of his passing. His presence has lived on and I can only imagine his larger than life character, described at length in this biography. Filled with lots of love from those that worked with Candy he sounded like an incredible and interesting person.

Myers does a great job of describing Candy’s life in chronological order, peppered with anecdotes from those close to him, as well as the authors thoughts on topics taken from all the interviews recorded of Candy.

I did the audiobook for this one, and found it worked well.

Highly recommend if you’ve ever wanted to know more about the comedic.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[❀ Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Candy was not only an amazing comedian but a kind friend, loving dad, spouse and supportive Canadian. This book shared his life, from the early loss of his dad, which impacted his whole life to his shocking death which left his family, friends and fans grieving but left a legacy of humour, kindness and positivity.

this book makes me want to revisit some favourite movies, SCTV and the latest documentary... as it leaves me wanting more... and even though, I knew what would happen in the end... it still was a sad event, many years later.

[Andrea Salamat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this. As a Canadian kid who grew up in a comedy-loving family—quoting SCTV lines and watching most John Candy movies from the ’80s and ’90s—this insight into his life was fascinating, delightful, and moving. He brought something truly special to Hollywood in that era, a warmth and authenticity that felt uniquely his. I especially loved hearing about his pride in his Canadian roots and the Ontario places he cherished. It made the whole portrait of him feel even more genuine and down to earth.

Thanks @Netgalley and @TantorMedia for providing me with the advanced copy of “John Candy: A Life in Comedy” in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #JohnCandy

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very in-depth book about the life of John Candy. I appreciate that it's not all roses and sunshine and we hear about his struggles as well. if you've watched the newest Documentary I Like Me, there is a good amount from this book that overlaps with it. Still, I appreciated that we were given a glimpse into every project that he did. Such a great soul gone too soon.

[Jay Moskowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Our daughter Nina bought it for me because she knew that I loved him, but I learned so much more from the book and one thing is evident: he was an incredible talent, certainly, but most importantly, his heart was full of kindness and generosity and humility, something we could all learn from. RIP John Candy. Legend.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for the book, which was informative but dry; 4 for John Candy, who was tops

[Ashley]

This is a must read for movie/television enthusiasts! I grew up watching many of John’s movie so I was interested to know more about him. Sounds like he was a genuinely talented and kind man. Love getting to learn about the friendships and connections of the great comedians from the 1970’s. I didn’t realize how many comedians were originally from Canada! Also fun fact about the author: Paul Myers is Mike Myers brother.

[Rajeev Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
interesting
repetitive
inspiring

[Madalene · Rating 2 out of 5]

He may have been a nice, funny guy, but the book was boring.

[Karen Mellott-Foshier · Rating 2 out of 5]

One-word book review: Disjointed

I love John Candy but not this book. So disappointed as the writing style was more of an academic paper. And the typos!

[A Cesspool · Rating 2 out of 5]

primary takeaway: Manicured fluff.

Not sure if author hoped to capitalize on Ryan Reynolds’ 2025 Canadian-fandom documentary, but this Candy bio is far from forensic and is as intimate as People (magazine) celebrity-puff-piece profile, imho.

All of the best/revelatory details were sourced from:

1) imdb

2) Rober Crane Jr. 2015 memoir

3) Tracey J. Morgan’s legit Candy biography: Searching for Candy fyi: Morgan’s 2019 bio was recently updated (with new 2024 Aftermath).

Nevertheless, still the most rewarding Candy archive belongs to Martin Knelman’s 1996 monograph: Laughing on the Outside: The Life of John Candy (recently re-published, 10 years after its initial digital offering).

Paul Meyers commemorates Candy in roses and saccharine – finding fault(s) no where.
Those few Candy-offenders [Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis] are handled with kid-gloves; Glossing over the short list of No-go topics that instantly triggered John Candy (his weight, health, anxiety, etc.) – yet those [aforementioned] narrow-sighted, faux-intellectuals, who didn’t mind exploiting Candy for cheap gags, or the sake of fast-tracking their own career progression, are always given the last word, thereby reinforcing their own legacy-membership as pro-Team Candy.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to separate my admiration for John Candy from my reaction to this book, but my review is about the writing, not the man. Unfortunately, while the subject matter is rich, the presentation falls flat.

The book reads more like a methodical textbook than a lively biography. The author moves through Candy’s life in a straightforward A-to-Z fashion, offering summary observations and conclusions without much narrative spark. Instead of weaving anecdotes into a compelling story, the text leans heavily on verbatim quotes from friends, colleagues, and family. While these quotes are heartfelt, their sheer volume makes the book feel repetitive and at times monotonous.

There are certainly interesting facts and touching moments sprinkled throughout, and Candy’s warmth and generosity shine through. But the writing style lacks the energy and humor that defined Candy himself. The narration feels flat, and the structure doesn’t invite the reader in—it simply catalogs events.

For fans of John Candy, this book provides a thorough overview of his life and career. But as a reading experience, it’s not particularly engaging or memorable. If I didn’t already love Candy, I’d have rated it lower.

Verdict: Informative but uninspired. A book that tells you about John Candy, but doesn’t capture the joy of him.