John Candy’s Legacy Celebrated in New Documentary
John Candy’s children are ensuring the laughter continues, but they’re not doing it alone. Over three decades since their father’s passing, Chris and Jennifer Candy-Sullivan have collaborated with Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks to produce a new documentary, titled John Candy: I Like Me.
This film, which recently premiered, was created under Reynolds’ Maximum Effort in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios and directed by Hanks. It offers an intimate glimpse into Candy’s life, tracing his journey from a star on “SCTV” to a beloved figure in cinema.
For Chris and Jennifer, who took on the roles of co-executive producers, this project goes beyond just paying homage to their father’s accomplishments. It’s an opportunity to showcase a side of him that remained unseen by the public.
“It’s incredible,” expressed Chris, 41. “Ryan has always been a big fan of our dad, and his creative vision for the project was so supportive, especially in bringing Colin into it.” They feel this collaborative effort really shaped the documentary.
What began as a simple viral moment turned into something much more significant. Chris shared that a year before the documentary started, Reynolds discovered a trending social media video featuring clips from Candy’s movies.
“That was the spark,” Chris noted, recalling his father’s unexpected death from a heart attack when Chris was just nine. He added, “Colin is perfect for this; he has a real talent for documentary filmmaking.”
Jennifer mentioned that Hanks’ involvement added the right touch to the long-in-progress project. “He really came in and made a difference,” she said. “When Colin joined us, I knew we were on the right path. It was a joy collaborating with them.”
In a Q&A session aligned with the film’s October 10 release on Prime Video, Reynolds and Hanks discussed their motivations behind the emotional documentary.
“There are numerous reasons, but I would say the most important is how John has influenced my work and perspective,” Reynolds, 48, said. He recalled the impact of Candy’s death in 1994, which felt like a personal loss at the time.
Hanks, son of actor Tom Hanks, elaborated on their intention to highlight the personal aspects of Candy’s life behind the camera. “It’s striking to think he left us so young at 43,” said Hanks, 47. “Even today, many hold onto that joy they felt from his movies.”
“You can still watch his films and get that same feeling,” he added, noting they remain timeless.
The documentary features an array of stars who admired Candy, from contemporary comedians like Bill Murray, Martin Short, and Catherine O’Hara, to newer admirers like Macaulay Culkin.
I Like Me debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, emphasizing the long-standing friendships Candy left behind. Chris remarked, “They’re always part of our lives. I bump into Marty or Eugene quite often, and they’re an ongoing part of our world.”
Jennifer chimed in, having been just 14 when her father passed away. “We might not see these friends every day, but when we do, it’s like no time has passed.”
“These connections can endure,” she added.
“Everyone comes together to support us,” Chris concluded. “Whenever we get the chance to reconnect, it feels special.”
John Candy: I Like Me is currently available to watch on Prime Video.
