John Hughes was able to tap into teen angst like no other director, which was why he was able to churn out a string of hit comedies such as "Sixteen Candles" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" during the 1980s.
Hughes died of a heart attack Thursday while visiting family in New York City. He was 59 and hadn't directed a film since "Curly Sue" in 1991.
While he stopped directing, Hughes continued to write stories and screenplays including "Maid in Manhattan" in 2002 with Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. In fact, Hughes was a more prolific writer than director. He helmed only eight movies but is credited with writing 38 films including hits such as "Home Alone," "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Pretty In Pink" and "Mr. Mom."
He also continued producing movies including "Home Alone 3" in 1997.
But his greatest success came as a young man directing one hit after another from 1984 to 1990.
Hughes is credited with helping launch the careers of many stars including John Cusack and Molly Ringwald in "Sixteen Candles," Bill Paxton in "Weird Science" and Judd Nelson in "The Breakfast Club." Many of his frequent stars came to be known as the Brat Pack.
Hughes graduated from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook and based most of his movies in the Chicago area. His favorite reel-life town was Shermer, Ill., based on an early name for Northbrook. Most of his hits were filmed in Chicago, as well.
Hughes died of a heart attack Thursday while visiting family in New York City. He was 59 and hadn't directed a film since "Curly Sue" in 1991.
While he stopped directing, Hughes continued to write stories and screenplays including "Maid in Manhattan" in 2002 with Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. In fact, Hughes was a more prolific writer than director. He helmed only eight movies but is credited with writing 38 films including hits such as "Home Alone," "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Pretty In Pink" and "Mr. Mom."
He also continued producing movies including "Home Alone 3" in 1997.
But his greatest success came as a young man directing one hit after another from 1984 to 1990.
Hughes is credited with helping launch the careers of many stars including John Cusack and Molly Ringwald in "Sixteen Candles," Bill Paxton in "Weird Science" and Judd Nelson in "The Breakfast Club." Many of his frequent stars came to be known as the Brat Pack.
Hughes graduated from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook and based most of his movies in the Chicago area. His favorite reel-life town was Shermer, Ill., based on an early name for Northbrook. Most of his hits were filmed in Chicago, as well.
Even though his movies are all at least 20 years old, they continue to make people laugh. Here are six of his best comedies. All are available on video and DVD and many are regularly shown on cable. No doubt one of the cable channels will hold a John Hughes marathon in the next week or so.
"Sixteen Candles" (1984) -- Hughes burst onto the Hollywood scene with this teen comedy about a young girl (Molly Ringwald) who is heartbroken because everyone has forgotten her 16th birthday while planning her older sister's wedding. Other stars include Anthony Michael Hall, Justin Henry, John Cusack and Gedde Watanabe as Long Duc Dong.
"The Breakfast Club" (1985) -- Hughes scored a second straight hit with this film about five high school students who discover they have much in common while serving a Saturday detention. The students (Hall, Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Emilio Estevez) bond while tormenting their teacher (Paul Gleason).
"Weird Science" (1985) -- Two nerdy students (Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith) create a woman of their dreams (Kelly LeBrock), who then helps them learn to stand up for themselves. Other stars include Robert Downey Jr. and Bill Paxton as Chet.
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) -- Matthew Broderick stars in this Hughes comedy about a student determined to enjoy a day off of school despite the best efforts of the principal (Jeffrey Jones) to catch him goofing off. Other stars include Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey and Edie McClurg.
"Planes, Trains & Automobiles" (1987) -- Hughes made an easy transition from teen comedy to adult comedy with this film about a dedicated family man (Steve Martin) desperately trying to get home to Chicago from New York in time for Thanksgiving dinner despite a winter storm. His only companion on his trek is an annoying salesman (John Candy). Other stars include Laila Robbins and Edie McClurg.
"Uncle Buck" (1989) -- John Candy stars as a man reluctantly pressed into service by his brother and sister-in-law to watch their kids during a family emergency. Other stars include Amy Madigan, Laurie Metcalf, Jean Louisa Kelly and Macaulay Culkin.
"Sixteen Candles" (1984) -- Hughes burst onto the Hollywood scene with this teen comedy about a young girl (Molly Ringwald) who is heartbroken because everyone has forgotten her 16th birthday while planning her older sister's wedding. Other stars include Anthony Michael Hall, Justin Henry, John Cusack and Gedde Watanabe as Long Duc Dong.
"The Breakfast Club" (1985) -- Hughes scored a second straight hit with this film about five high school students who discover they have much in common while serving a Saturday detention. The students (Hall, Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Emilio Estevez) bond while tormenting their teacher (Paul Gleason).
"Weird Science" (1985) -- Two nerdy students (Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith) create a woman of their dreams (Kelly LeBrock), who then helps them learn to stand up for themselves. Other stars include Robert Downey Jr. and Bill Paxton as Chet.
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) -- Matthew Broderick stars in this Hughes comedy about a student determined to enjoy a day off of school despite the best efforts of the principal (Jeffrey Jones) to catch him goofing off. Other stars include Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey and Edie McClurg.
"Planes, Trains & Automobiles" (1987) -- Hughes made an easy transition from teen comedy to adult comedy with this film about a dedicated family man (Steve Martin) desperately trying to get home to Chicago from New York in time for Thanksgiving dinner despite a winter storm. His only companion on his trek is an annoying salesman (John Candy). Other stars include Laila Robbins and Edie McClurg.
"Uncle Buck" (1989) -- John Candy stars as a man reluctantly pressed into service by his brother and sister-in-law to watch their kids during a family emergency. Other stars include Amy Madigan, Laurie Metcalf, Jean Louisa Kelly and Macaulay Culkin.
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