John Candy Net Worth

What Is John Candy’s Net Worth?

At the time of his death in 1994, Canadian actor and comedian John Candy had a net worth of $15 million. Factoring in inflation, that’s equivalent to roughly $30 million in today’s dollars. John Candy’s career spanned across television and film, contributing significantly to his financial success.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

John Franklin Candy was born on October 31, 1950, in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. His early life included attending Neil McNeil Catholic High School in Toronto. Candy initially aspired to play football but a knee injury rerouted him towards acting. He attended Centennial College to study journalism and later transferred to McMaster University where he became involved in extracurricular activities, notably acting. His early roles were on television series such as “Cucumber,” “The ABC Afternoon Playbreak,” and “Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins,” none of which had publicly available salary information.

Candy’s breakthrough came in the 1970s when he joined the Toronto branch of The Second City. He gained prominence through the “Second City Television” series, where he portrayed characters like Johnny LaRue, Doctor Tongue, and William B. Williams. The show’s success led to a deal with NBC in 1981, enhancing its popularity. “SCTV Network 90” won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program in 1982 and 1983, acknowledging the writing contributions. Information regarding Candy’s specific salary during his tenure with Second City is not publicly available.

During a break from “Second City Television,” Candy pursued film roles. He appeared in “Lost and Found” in 1979 and had a role in Steven Spielberg’s “1941.” He also took roles in Canadian productions such as “The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog” and “Double Negative.” His role as parole officer Burton Mercer in “The Blues Brothers” (1980) further increased his visibility. In 1981, he played an Army recruit in Ivan Reitman’s “Stripes,” which grossed over $85 million at the box office, but Candy’s specific salary for this role is not publicly documented.

Candy’s career gained momentum with his role in the romantic comedy “Splash” (1984), where he played Tom Hanks’ womanizing brother. Specific salary details for “Splash” are not publicly available, but the film’s success marked a significant turning point in Candy’s career. In 1985, he co-wrote and starred in “The Last Polka” with Eugene Levy. He also played Richard Pryor’s best friend in “Brewster’s Millions” and had a cameo in “Follow That Bird.” No specifics about his earnings from these movies are available.

Film Career and Earnings

John Candy’s first major leading role in Hollywood was in Carl Reiner’s “Summer Rental.” He then reunited with Tom Hanks in “Volunteers” and had a cameo in “The Canadian Conspiracy,” both released in 1985. In 1986, he starred in “Armed and Dangerous” alongside Eugene Levy and Meg Ryan. Candy’s career further solidified with his role in “Planes, Trains, & Automobiles” (1987) alongside Steve Martin, directed by John Hughes. While the exact figures aren’t known, starring alongside comedy stars such as Steve Martin would have garnered a sizeable salary, that would have contributed to his John Candy net worth.

His collaboration with John Hughes continued with a cameo in “She’s Having a Baby” (1988) and starring roles in “The Great Outdoors” (1988) and “Uncle Buck” (1989). In 1989, he also produced and starred in the animated series “Camp Candy” on NBC, featuring his two children. In 1990 and 1991, he appeared in Hughes’ films “Home Alone” and “Career Opportunities.” He also starred in “Only the Lonely” (1991) alongside Maureen O’Hara. The specific financial details of these projects, including Candy’s salaries and production costs, have not been publicly disclosed.

During the early 1990s, Candy starred in films such as “Delirious,” “Once Upon a Crime,” and “Boris and Natasha: The Movie.” His performance in “Cool Runnings” (1993) marked a return to success. In 1994, he made his directorial debut with “Hostage for a Day.” His final film appearances were in “Canadian Bacon” and “Wagons East” (1995). He suffered a heart attack while filming “Wagons East” in Durango, Mexico on March 4, 1994. The actor’s earnings from these various projects contributed to his John Candy Net Worth of $15 million, which is equivalent to roughly $30 million in today’s dollars, accounting for inflation.

Personal Life and Additional Ventures

John Candy married Rosemary Hobor in 1979. They had two children: Jennifer (born in February 1980) and Chris (born in September 1984). Candy openly discussed his struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, as well as his challenges with being overweight. Factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and a family history of heart disease also contributed to his health issues. Candy’s John Candy Net Worth was supplemented by his work in acting, and he was a producer and director. However, details regarding real estate holdings or specific investments were not listed in the information provided.

Candy was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 1998. In 2006, he was featured on a Canadian postage stamp. In October 2020, Toronto’s mayor declared October 30th as “John Candy Day” to honor what would have been his 70th birthday. The details of John Candy’s financial estate are not publicly available.