Book Recommendation – John Candy: A Life in Comedy

In a town like Hollywood, celebrities deal with criticism constantly. There always seems to be people who have negative things to say about the rich and famous. That is, of course, unless you are John Candy. You will be hard pressed to find someone who knew him that has a negative thing to attribute to him. After reading John Candy – A Life in Comedy, I walked away loving him a lot more.

This was such a wonderful read about a wonderful actor. Here is the Amazon synopsis:

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.

This book truly is a love letter. Yes, it talks about the ups in John’s life, but it doesn’t ignore the downs. There were many things that I had never heard about Candy’s life. Despite those tough times, John always seemed to be happy in interviews and at appearances. He was complex, but at the same time simple.

I loved the way the book was laid out. It was done in chronological order, as most biographies are. I loved the fact that the chapters focused on the film he was working on and what was going on in his life while shooting the film. Some of my favorite films were actually some of his first movie appearances. You’d never know it, though, because he is just so good.

The book sheds light on many scenes that were improvised, and others that required him to stick directly to the script. We learn of his close friendships with other comedians and actors. We hear of his generosity and kindness. We hear of his last days and the legacy that continues long after he left us.

This book made me laugh and cry. That makes total sense. The book gave me a deeper appreciation of a man who in his short life on earth made millions of people laugh (and cry). It is a fantastic read about one of the most beloved men in Hollywood.

5 out of 5 stars.