Ryan Reynolds, Colin Hanks, and the Candy family discuss the John Candy: I Like Me documentary at the 2025 TIFF.

      Among the numerous talented comedic actors who appeared in classic comedies during the 1980s and 90s was John Candy. He began his career on the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV and later starred in several major films that became timeless favorites, including Stripes, Spaceballs, Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, and Canadian Bacon, among others. Tragically, Candy passed away in 1994 from a heart attack, and his final two films, Wagons East and Canadian Bacon, were released posthumously. His legacy endures as one of the most unforgettable comedic actors from that film era, and his life and vibrant character will be explored in depth in the new documentary John Candy: I Like Me, which debuts at the Toronto International Film Festival. Director Colin Hanks, whose father Tom Hanks starred alongside Candy in Splash, producer Ryan Reynolds, and Candy's children Chris and Jennifer Candy, who are executive producers, gathered on stage at Toronto's Second City comedy club, where Candy launched his career, to discuss the documentary and his enduring legacy.

      The documentary’s journey began when Reynolds shared a tribute video to John Candy a few years ago. The video gained widespread attention, with many fans expressing their enjoyment of Candy’s films and his warm, boisterous personality. “You did that wonderful video you posted on your Twitter account, and it went viral. That was the first notable interaction of our dad online, and it was really positive for this project,” Chris Candy stated.

      “You could see how much people connected with it,” Reynolds added, a sentiment which Jennifer Candy echoed. “They really embraced it; it was a fantastic glimpse into what a full-length documentary could offer,” she noted.

      Following this, Reynolds reached out to Colin Hanks about the idea of creating a documentary on John Candy's life and career. “Ryan called me and essentially said, ‘I don’t want to exist in a world without a documentary about John Candy.’ I agreed, and then he suggested I should direct it,” Hanks recounted. “We had a great discussion about what such a project would entail. People often suggest making a documentary about famous historical figures, and while the instinct isn’t wrong, it’s crucial to identify what the actual story is.”

      Throughout his brief but influential career, Candy seamlessly blended humor with heartfelt emotion, portraying diverse characters from a half-man/half-dog in Spaceballs to a quirky yet sorrowful figure in Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Reynolds indicated he was attracted to the subtleties of Candy’s character and the integrity of his story. “To me, John embodies togetherness, joy, and never putting others down,” he remarked. “He was a genuinely good person when no one was watching. That's something truly special. We live in a highly curated world now, arguably too curated, and John navigated through it before that, leaving behind kindness and joy. It’s also nostalgic for me; nostalgia is the greatest drug there is, and John had a unique ability to foster that connection, which continues today.”

      “He was human and he was our dad, and it’s incredible to see through the eyes of those who admire and love him just as much as we do,” Jennifer Candy remarked.

      Given that Candy has been gone for over 30 years, his children felt it was the right moment to share their father’s impact on comedy and his numerous fans. “As a family, we were at a point where we were ready to share more,” Chris Candy mentioned. “We now have a clearer understanding of what he went through. There were various psychological aspects we needed to grasp about him, and we wanted to ensure we trusted whoever would tell that story. The timing felt perfect.” He also noted that producing the film served as a form of healing for him and his sister. “It truly feels like a swan song, a beautiful farewell to our dad. It’s one last great John Candy film starring him, and we’re really grateful for that.”

      “I think as you grow older, you realize it’s okay to share,” Jennifer Candy observed. “When I was younger, I didn’t quite grasp it, but I recognized it was acceptable to share my dad with amazing fans, friends, and extended family because our core family was so strong and closely knit. I never felt like I was missing something. As I aged, I appreciated it more because it helped fill the void of his absence; connecting with so many people through their stories has been wonderful.”

      Although Candy didn't spark controversy, he was often targeted by the media regarding his weight, a topic the documentary delves into, exploring how it affected him personally. Hanks noted this was one aspect that intrigued him in telling Candy's story. “I found two particularly fascinating elements, especially as we were dealing with a story set decades ago, regarding what was both said and left unsaid,” Hanks described. “At that time