Beloved Actor John Candy Remembered on 30th Anniversary of his Death
A Heartfelt Tribute to a Loving Father
It’s been three decades since the untimely passing of renowned character actor John Candy at the age of 43. On the anniversary of his death, Candy’s two children, Jennifer Candy-Sullivan and Christopher Candy, fondly remember their late father and honor his memory with touching messages.
A Lasting Legacy of Love
Jennifer Candy-Sullivan, 44, posted a heartfelt tribute to her father on Instagram, captioning a photo with the words, “30 years ago today…feels like both a lifetime with and without you. Miss you and love you forever.” Speaking to TODAY.com, Jennifer reminisced about the love and support she received from her dad throughout her life.
“He was the best dad,” Jennifer fondly recalls. “He’d say, ‘Don’t worry about what people think about you. Just be your authentic self.'”
Jennifer further emphasizes that her father’s dedication to family was unmatched. Referring to his decision to decline an opportunity on “Saturday Night Live,” she explains, “He was the ultimate family guy. He knew the lifestyle wouldn’t be healthy for him. He was smart in that way.”
Carrying on the Legacy
John Candy’s children both followed in his footsteps, pursuing careers in the entertainment industry as writers and actors. Jennifer and Christopher are immensely proud of their father’s contributions to ’80s comedies, including his memorable roles in “Uncle Buck” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
“He was your everyday kind of guy and a great dad and very lovable,” Jennifer said during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2015. “Very much similar to the characters that he portrayed on film.”
Fond Memories and Lasting Affection
On social media, Christopher shared his own tribute to his father, posting an Instagram photo of Candy in his signature Hawaiian print shirt, accompanied by the caption, “All my love to my father today.” Reflecting on their last conversations with their dad, Chris and Jennifer still cherish the memories.
Chris shared, “I remember talking to him the night before he passed away and he said, ‘I love you and goodnight.’ And I will always remember that.”
Jennifer recalled her last phone call with her dad, adding, “I was talking to him on the phone, and, I hate this, but I was slightly distant because I was studying. So I was like, ‘Yeah, OK, I love you. I will talk to you later. Have a great night.’ Then I hang up, and I go back to studying.”
A Family Affected by Heart Disease
Both Jennifer and Chris bring awareness to the presence of heart disease in their family. Reflecting on their father’s commitment to his health, Chris recognized his influence on their own well-being. “He always worked on his weight and his health. And fortunately, he helped us to figure that out for ourselves,” Chris told the Hollywood Reporter.
A Lasting Resemblance
Apart from their father’s talents, Jennifer and Chris acknowledge the likeness between themselves and their dad. From Jennifer’s resemblance in her dad’s younger days to Chris taking after him as he aged, memories of their father live on in their faces, mannerisms, and even laughter.
“Both my brother and I look like my dad at different times,” Jennifer reflected. “If you look at him when he was younger, that’s Chris. And my dad slightly older, it’s my face. For me, it was being in touch with my feminine side when people would say, ‘You look just like your dad,’ and I was like, ‘Thank you…?’ And then they would say, ‘But you’re much prettier than your dad!’ Sometimes my laugh is exactly like my dad.”
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