Awards

• Commended for CBC Best Book of 2025 2025 (Canada)
• Commended for Globe 100 Best Book of 2025 2025 (Canada)

Overview

The definitive biography of John Candy-a heartwarming portrait of one of comedy's most beloved and enduring stars. INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER Vulture's#1 Comedy Book of 2025 A Globe and Mail, National Post, andCBCBest Book of 2025 ""Reading this book was like reconnecting with an old friend. I laughed, I cried, I didn't want it to end."" -Judd Apatow ""A thoughtful, thorough and entertaining portrait of one of the funniest people ever."" -Marc Maron 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.

Full Product Details

9781487009526

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Fans of John Candy will delight in Myers’ comprehensive biography.” — Kirkus

“This isn’t the first biography on the late actor John Candy, but it is hands down the best … This is a respectful, compassionate biography that makes the reader feel as though they've come to truly know the man.”— Booklist “Fans of John Candy will delight in Myers’ comprehensive biography.” — Kirkus Reviews “What made John Candy great? [John Candy: A Life in Comedy] is a welcome reminder.” – The Washington Post ""This will be catnip for [John Candy's] fans."" — Publisher's Weekly  ""Well-researched [and] fun to read.” — Library Journal  “Makes clear Candy’s ample gifts and barely tapped potential.” – The Wall Street Journal “A richly detailed biography that leaves us room to conjure up the actor on our own terms.” – Zoomer Magazine “A deeply moving portrait.” – Literary Review of Canada “A warm, thoughtful, sensitive portrait."" – Winnipeg Free Press ""Myers's touching portrait of a beloved film star is filled with as much joy as any of Candy's scene-stealing roles.” — Shelf Awareness “A genuine story … If you’re looking to offset the bitterness of our times with the taste of life’s sweetness, try a dose of Candy.” — The Literary Review of Canada “An affectionate, uncritical look at the beloved comic’s career.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “A fascinating read.” – The Calgary Herald

Author Information

PAUL MYERS is a Canadian writer and musician living in Berkeley, California. His previous books include The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy, which was the source for the Canadian Screen Awardwinning documentary The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks from Amazon Studios, on which he served as executive producer; the critically acclaimed A Wizard a True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio; It Ain't Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues; and Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories.

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