The laughter still echoes, even after three decades. On September 4, 2025, the Toronto International Film Festival opened its doors to a film that didn’t just screen—it resurrected a spirit. 'John Candy: I Like Me', the long-awaited documentary directed by Colin Hanks and co-produced by Ryan Reynolds, brought back the man who made us cry laughing: John Candy. Just weeks later, on October 10, the film landed on Amazon Prime Video, perfectly timed with the release of 'John Candy: A Life in Comedy' by author Paul Myers, published by House of Anansi Press. It’s been 31 years since John Candy died of a heart attack on March 4, 1994, at just 43. But on what would have been his 75th birthday—October 31, 2025—the world still misses him. And now, it remembers.
A Family’s Labor of Love
This isn’t just another celebrity tribute. It’s a homecoming. John Candy’s widow, Rosemary Candy, and his children, Jennifer Candy-Sullivan and Chris Candy, didn’t just grant access—they co-executive produced the film. "It was a balancing act," Chris Candy told reporters. "You want to live your life and you also want to honor theirs." That tension runs through every frame. Archival footage shows Candy in his prime: goofy, generous, utterly unguarded. But there are quieter moments too—him reading bedtime stories, laughing with his wife, staring into the distance after a long day on set. These aren’t staged. They’re stolen. And they’re devastating.The Man Behind the Laughter
The documentary’s title comes from one of Candy’s most iconic lines: "I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. Because I’m the real article—what you see is what you get." That line, from 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987), wasn’t just a punchline. It was Candy’s manifesto. And the film proves it. Through interviews with Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, and archived audio of the late John Hughes, we see how Candy was the glue in some of the most beloved comedies of the 80s and 90s. From 'SCTV' to 'Splash', 'Spaceballs', and 'Home Alone', Candy didn’t just play characters—he became them. And audiences felt like they knew him. Because they did.Even the critics noticed. As of October 31, 2025, 'John Candy: I Like Me' held an 88% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. "Heartfelt and heartbreaking," wrote Cinema From The Spectrum. "You laugh, you cry, and you wish John was still around." The film runs 113 minutes, and at times, it feels like it’s trying to do too much—jumping from childhood in Ontario to Hollywood excess to family grief. But that’s the point. Candy’s life wasn’t neat. It was messy, joyful, and tragically short.
A Nationwide Tour With a Purpose
The documentary didn’t stop at streaming. A nationwide tour, co-produced by Mills Entertainment and Maximum Effort (Reynolds’ production company), brought the film to theaters across North America. After each screening, Ryan Reynolds took the stage—not as a celebrity, but as a fan. He moderated live conversations with Candy’s friends, co-stars, and family. Sometimes, surprise guests showed up: a musician who played with Candy in a band back in the 70s, a stagehand who remembered how he always brought donuts to set. These weren’t interviews. They were gatherings.And here’s the twist: every ticket sold helped kids. Net proceeds from the tour benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Memphis-based institution that has raised childhood cancer survival rates from 20% to over 80% since 1962. Families never receive a bill. Not for treatment. Not for travel. Not even for food. "John spent his life making people feel seen," said Reynolds. "This is how we make sure others still feel seen, even when they’re at their most vulnerable."
Legacy Beyond the Screen
Reynolds didn’t stop at the tour. He launched two nonprofit initiatives—The Group Effort Initiative and The Creative Ladder—to open doors in entertainment for underrepresented communities. "John never gatekept," Reynolds said. "He opened the door and pulled you in. That’s the model we’re trying to rebuild." The documentary also features a haunting new recording by Cynthia Erivo, whose voice lingers over scenes of Candy’s final years. It’s a moment of silence that speaks louder than any interview.
Why This Matters Now
In an era where comedy is often sharp-edged, sarcastic, or performative, Candy’s warmth feels revolutionary. He wasn’t trying to be clever. He was trying to be kind. His characters weren’t perfect—they were flawed, awkward, sometimes ridiculous. But they were human. And in that humanity, audiences found themselves. That’s why, 31 years after his death, people still quote his lines. Still stream his movies. Still cry when they see him on screen.There’s a quiet power in remembering someone not just for what they did, but for how they made you feel. John Candy made people feel like they belonged. That’s not just comedy. That’s medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the documentary titled 'I Like Me'?
The title comes from John Candy’s iconic line in 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles,' where his character Del Griffith says, 'I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me.' It reflected his genuine, unapologetic personality—both on and off screen. His family chose it because it captured his self-acceptance and warmth, even amid personal struggles.
Who is involved in producing the documentary?
Directed by Colin Hanks and co-produced by Ryan Reynolds, the film includes executive producers from Candy’s family: his widow Rosemary Candy and children Jennifer Candy-Sullivan and Chris Candy. Additional producers include Johnny Pariseau, George Dewey, and Sean Stuart.
How is the tour benefiting children?
Net proceeds from the nationwide tour go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which treats childhood cancer at no cost to families. Since its founding in 1962, St. Jude has raised survival rates from 20% to over 80% in the U.S., ensuring no family receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
What makes this documentary different from other celebrity tributes?
Unlike most tributes that focus on fame, this film dives into Candy’s personal life—his relationships, his battles with weight and health, his devotion to family. It’s not just about his roles; it’s about the man behind them. The inclusion of never-before-seen home footage and candid interviews with his family gives it an intimacy rarely seen in Hollywood documentaries.
Why did Ryan Reynolds take on this project?
Reynolds has long cited Candy as a major influence on his comedic style and work ethic. He saw the documentary as a chance to honor someone who made comedy about connection, not just punchlines. He also wanted to use his platform to support St. Jude and create opportunities for underrepresented voices through his nonprofits, The Group Effort Initiative and The Creative Ladder.
Is there a new biography released alongside the film?
Yes. 'John Candy: A Life in Comedy' by Paul Myers, published by House of Anansi Press on October 8, 2025, offers the most comprehensive account of Candy’s life, drawing on over 100 interviews and previously unpublished letters and studio memos.
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