John Candy
ActingAbout John Candy
John Franklin Candy (October 30, 1950 – March 4, 1994) was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto, Ontario branch of The Second City, its related Second City Television series, and in his role in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck. One of his most renowned onscreen performances was that of Del Griffith, the loquacious, on the move, shower curtain ring salesman in the John Hughes comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Candy reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of John Candy's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 48% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Candy remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Catherine O'Hara: All of Us Shine, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best John Candy Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Candy's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Candy.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | John Candy: I Like Me | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | Catherine O'Hara: All of Us Shine | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead | Self - Actor (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Mel Brooks: Make a Noise | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | John Candy: Comic Spirit | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Canadian Bacon | Sheriff Bud B. Boomer | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Cool Runnings | Irv | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Rookie of the Year | Cliff Murdoch - Announcer (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Once Upon a Crime | Augie Morosco | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | JFK | Dean Andrews | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Delirious | Jack Gable | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Only the Lonely | Danny Muldoon | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Career Opportunities | C.D. Marsh (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Nothing But Trouble | Dennis / Eldona | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | Home Alone | Gus Polinski | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | The Rescuers Down Under | Wilbur (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Seriously... Phil Collins | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Masters of Menace | Beer Truck Driver | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly! | Yosh Shmenge (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Uncle Buck | Buck Russell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Who's Harry Crumb? | Harry Crumb | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Jackie Gleason: The Great One | Host | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | The Best of SCTV | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Hot to Trot | Don The Horse (Voice) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | The Great Outdoors | Chet Ripley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby | Chet (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Planes, Trains and Automobiles | Del Griffith | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Spaceballs | Barf | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Citizen Steve | Clip Maxwell | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Little Shop of Horrors | Wink Wilkinson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Armed and Dangerous | Frank Dooley | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Incredible Time-Travels of Henry Osgood | Wallace Osgood | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Tears Are Not Enough | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Volunteers | Tom Tuttle | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Summer Rental | Jack Chester | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Follow That Bird | State Trooper | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Brewster's Millions | Spike Nolan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas | Marcel | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Splash | Freddie Bauer | Average | Similar → |
| 1983 | National Lampoon's Vacation | Lasky, Guard at Walleyworld | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | It Came from Hollywood | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1981 | Heavy Metal | Desk Sergeant / Dan / Den / Robot (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Stripes | Dewey "Ox" Oxberger | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Blues Brothers | Burton Mercer | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | 1941 | Pvt. Foley | Average | Similar → |
| 1979 | Lost and Found | Carpentier | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | The Silent Partner | Simonsen | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Class of '44 | Paule (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
John Candy - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Candy?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Candy is "Catherine O'Hara: All of Us Shine" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has John Candy acted in?
John Candy has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Candy?
Other notable films include "Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas", "Mel Brooks: Make a Noise", and "Jackie Gleason: The Great One".