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John Candy

John Candy

Actor, also writer, director and producer · Died March 4, 1994, aged 43 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2 Primetime Emmys

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 31, 1950
Died
March 4, 1994 (aged 43)
From
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Works as
Actor, also writer, director and producer
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 68 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

What are John Candy's films like?

Across their 38 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy20 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 24th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 22nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
31%
Self
26%
Society
15%
Power
14%
Ideas
7%
Morality
6%
Survival
1%
Community9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship7 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 37 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 31 · Serious 4 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 18 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 23 · Charged 10 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 18 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 9

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 27

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 26 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 32 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 34 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

25 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 10 of 25 analyzed roles.

Hero
10 of 25
Trickster
7 of 25
Ally
4 of 25
Mentor
2 of 25
Shapeshifter
1 of 25
Threshold guardian
1 of 25
Show the 25 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
24
Joyful
25
Warm
11
Tense
6
Thrilling
7
Other
21

How their films linger

Feel-good28 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun26 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy25
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Candy's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Candy's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

68 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 22 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Oh. What. Fun.(2025)

    as Del Griffith (Archive Footage)

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Christmas with SCTV (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Canadian Bacon(1995)

    as Sheriff Bud B. Boomer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Wagons East(1994)

    Thanks · as James Harlow

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Hostage for a Day(1994)

    Director · Producer · as Yuri Petrovich (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Cool Runnings(1993)

    as Irv

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Rookie of the Year(1993)

    as Cliff Murdoch - Announcer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

  • Boris and Natasha(1991)

    as Kalishak

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Crime...(1992)

    as Augie Morosco

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • JFK(1991)

    as Dean Andrews

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Delirious(1991)

    as Jack Gable

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Only the Lonely(1991)

    as Danny Muldoon

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Career Opportunities(1991)

    as C.D. Marsh (uncredited) · as Target Store Manager

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Nothing But Trouble(1991)

    as Dennis / Eldona

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Home Alone(1990)

    as Gus Polinski

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Rescuers Down Under(1990)

    as Wilbur (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Masters of Menace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Beer Truck Driver

  • Rabbit Ears - Stormalong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Yosh Shmenge (archive footage)

  • Camp Candy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 58 episodes · Producer · Theme Song Performance · as (voice)

  • Uncle Buck(1989)

    as Buck Russell

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Rocket Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as The Hawk

  • Speed Zone(1989)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Who's Harry Crumb?(1989)

    Executive Producer · as Harry Crumb

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Jackie Gleason: The Great One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Host

  • The Best of SCTV(1988)

    Writer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Hot to Trot(1988)

    as Don The Horse (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Great Outdoors(1988)

    as Chet Ripley

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • She's Having a Baby(1988)

    as Chet (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Planes, Trains & Automobiles(1987)

    as Del Griffith

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Spaceballs(1987)

    as Barf

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Citizen Steve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · as Clip Maxwell

  • Little Shop of Horrors(1986)

    as Wink Wilkinson

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Really Weird Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Howard Jensen (segment "Cursed With Charisma")

  • Armed and Dangerous(1986)

    as Frank Dooley

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood(1986)

    as Wallace Osgood

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Volunteers(1985)

    as Tom Tuttle

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Summer Rental(1985)

    as Jack Chester

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Follow That Bird(1985)

    as State Trooper

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Brewster's Millions(1985)

    as Spike Nolan

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Last Polka(1985)

    Producer · Writer · as Yosh Shmenge

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas(1985)

    as Marcel

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Splash(1984)

    as Freddie Bauer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The New Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Going Berserk(1983)

    as John Bourgignon

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Vacation(1983)

    as Lasky, Guard at Walleyworld

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Rome, Italian Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Writer

  • Heavy Metal(1981)

    as Desk Sergeant / Dan / Den / Robot (voice)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Stripes(1981)

    as Dewey "Ox" Oxberger

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • SCTV Network 90 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 25 episodes · Writer · as Various

  • The Blues Brothers(1980)

    as Burton Mercer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Double Negative(1980)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pinky

  • 1941(1979)

    as Pvt. Foley

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Lost and Found (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Carpentier

  • The Silent Partner(1978)

    as Simonsen

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Find the Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Kopek

  • SCTV(1976)

    Show 92 episodes · Writer · as Self - Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Clown Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Ollie

  • Tunnel Vision(1976)

    as Cooper

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Juan Gavino (uncredited) · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Kopek

  • Cucumber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Weatherman

  • Class of '44(1973)

    as Paule (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The David Steinberg Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 21 episodes · Actor

  • Foxy Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Production Assistant

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles from 1971 to 2025; peak year 1990.

Biggest box office

JFK (1991)

$205M worldwide

Highest rated

JFK (1991)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

SCTV (1976)

Film career

19712025

Peak 1990 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 20 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting65 of 68: 57 only acting, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score51stDirecting2 of 68: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting5 of 68: 2 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing2 of 68: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew3 of 68: 1 only other crew, 2 with another role

68 titles, 8 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1970s13 · 11 acting · 2 crew1980s35 · 34 acting · 7 crew1990s18 · 18 acting · 2 crew2000s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 32% of 34 roles
788388

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 Primetime Emmys from 9 major nominations, 1982–1983.

WinNomination
  1. 1983
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated ×4 · Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
  2. 1982
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated ×3 · Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do John Candy's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 44; across their 37 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Reach · how many have seen their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood (1986)

78th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

JFK (1991)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 32 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is John Candy's work okay for kids?

Across up to 23 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore18 titles16–70 · median 31 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity23 titles21–62 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity18 titles38–68 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles15–45 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense14 titles10–66 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does John Candy work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Candy's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Eugene Levy shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles