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John Candy

A Life in Comedy

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John Candy

Written by: Paul Myers, Dan Aykroyd - foreword
Narrated by: David Bendena
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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 humor, 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.

©2025 Paul Myers (P)2025 Tantor Media Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Performing Arts Comedy Witty Funny Celebrity
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I looked at the paper in the news stand and started to cry. We all did that day.

Myers does a great job of capturing the heart of Candy, something any GenX knows from growing up with John. He doesn't waste a moment sliding in details in every sentence. And he touched on Candy's life from childhood through his short 44.

Myers mashes together what must be thousands of stories from many perspectives to drop as many names as possible, that's what hurts this book a bit. That and the decision by everyone from the author to the publisher to leave Buffy Sainte-Marie's revoked honours in the ending, despite her fake (Indigenous) life. Disrespectful and lazy. Hence, I knock some stars off this title.

Candy captured, my heart with him, again

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I loved learning more about John Candy and revisiting the Old Firehall and other Toronto stories. I didn’t like the narration. It felt too monotone - especially given the subject. Also, some ‘Toronto words’ were repeatedly mispronounced - Brian Lineham and the Elgin Theatre. Given that a good portion of the book was set in Toronto, it would make sense to have learned how Brian’s last name was pronounced, and how to say the name of the theatre.

Loved John Candy!

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