Laughing on the Outside

“A truthful look at John Candy—affectionate but unblinking.” —San Francisco Examiner

Funny and gentle, John Candy was loved by millions of movie fans for playing true-to-life characters. Whether as the irrepressible bon vivant in Splash, the misunderstood slob in Uncle Buck, or the generous lonely salesman in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, John Candy struck a perfect balance between self-deprecating humor and irresistible, emotional warmth. In this compassionate portrait of John Candy, award-winning journalist Martin Knelman reveals that behind the scenes, beneath the booming laughter, a man blessed by genius and goodness of heart was ultimately and sadly undermined by self-doubt and misguided ambition.

“Laughing on the Outside celebrates the genius of John Candy.” —Vanity Fair

“Candy’s is ultimately a sad story, one that Knelman has made sympathetic and memorable, too.” —Booklist

“This book is a must for Candy’s fans and an ought-to for everyone else.” —Toronto Globe and Mail

“Everyone knew the happy-go-lucky comic, but Knelman shows us the sad clown underneath, which ultimately enriches the image.” —Toronto Star