John Hughes, Director of '80s Teen Classics, Dies

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 6th 2009 04:40PM

Film director John Hughes has died at age 59 of a heart attack while taking a morning walk during a trip to New York City to visit family.

Hughes was responsible for some of the most successful comedy films of the 1980s and 1990s, including 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off', 'Weird Science', 'The Breakfast Club', 'National Lampoon's Vacation', 'Sixteen Candles', 'Pretty in Pink,' 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles,' and 'Home Alone 1 & 2.'

'Sixteen Candles'

'Breakfast Club'

Hughes had gotten his start as a writer for National Lampoon magazine. Children of the 1980s flocked to his teen trilogy made up of 'Sixteen Candles,' 'The Breakfast Club' and 'Weird Science' which helped to define a generation and make stars out of Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall.

Hughes' imprint was felt on several of his writing efforts too, ranging from 'Pretty in Pink' to 'Some Kind of Wonderful' as well as 'National Lampoon's Vacation' and the 'European' and 'Christmas' sequels. See Classic Hughes Quotes

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Remembering John Hughes

Filmmaker John Hughes was responsible for some of the most defining movies of the '80s as the writer/director of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' 'Breakfast Club' and more. Take a look back at his many, wonderful accomplishments.

Everett Collection

Remembering John Hughes

John Hughes (producer), son James Hughes (writer), Kyle Cooper (director) on the set of New Port South.

Everett Collection

Filmmaker John Hughes was responsible for some of the most defining movies of the '80s as the writer/director of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' 'Breakfast Club' and more.

Everett Collection

Director John Hughes on the set of 'Weird Science' in 1985.

Everett Collection

Director John Hughes with Mark Schoeffling and Molly Ringwald, the stars of his film 'Sixteen Candles.'

Everett Collection

Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald - stars of Hughes' film 'Pretty in Pink.'

Everett Collection

John Hughes wrote and directed 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' starring Matthew Broderick in 1986.

Everett Collection

'Breakfast Club' starring Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall in 1985.

Everett Collection

Hughes had a gift for discovering talent. Other than Ringwald, stars like Robert Downey Jr., Bill Paxton, Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez and Jon Cryer had major career breaks courtesy of Hughes productions. His 1986 teen classic 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' which he wrote and directed, helped turn Matthew Broderick into a leading man. Track Down Locations for Hughes' Classics Hughes films' also captured the sounds of the times, with soundtracks for several films including 'Breakfast Club' and 'Pretty in Pink' producing new wave classics that were also chart toppers.

In the later years of his Hollywood career, Hughes turned towards more adult and family films, including his holiday classic 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' and 'Uncle Buck,' both starring the late John Candy. He also was a writer on the blockbuster comedy 'Home Alone.' Hughes hadn't directed a film since 1991's 'Curly Sue.' His last produced screenplay was 1998's 'Reach the Rock.'

"Those Aren't Pillows!" A Classic Scene From 'Planes, Trains ...'

A spokesperson for Hughes confirmed the director's death. Variety reports that over the last decade, Hughes had stepped away from show business to spend time with his family, maintain a functioning farm in Illinois and support independent arts. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy, two sons, John and James, and four grandchildren. Revisit His Accomplished Filmography at Moviefone >>>

"How Could I Possibly Be Expected To Handle School on a Day Like This?" Bueller in Action

Tags: john hughes, JohnHughes, movie director, MovieDirector, obituary

Comments

(165)

Thursday 06 August

By BonBon

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We are losing so many people from that era lately, he made some dang good movies. Breakfast Club is a classic, loved them all. Too young.

By Mary

God bless John Hughes and his family.
His movies were so wonderful. You could watch them over and over again and still enjoy them as much as the first time. They reflected a funny side of real families....doesn't everyone have an Uncle buck in their family? How about an Uncle Eddie in Vacation?
Some of his movies such as Planes trains and automobiles or Home Alone have been a traditional viewing event at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We will miss you, Mr. Hughes.

By hockeyfan39@aol.com

Thanks for your legacy Mr. Hughes, your films made life a little more bearable. Godspeed...

Sunday 09 August

By Scott Chatfield

My thoughts and prayers go out too the family and friends of John Hughes. Although Mr. Hughes never met me, he was able to capture the feelings and desires of the 80's from a perspective of a teenager with hopes and dreams. Now in my 40's, I can put a movies of his on, and I flash back to the good times...Thank You Mr. Hughes. As the song in Breakfast club goes "Don't you forget about me," and I will never forget.

By Abraxus

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A great movie writer and director - someone who instinctively knew how to write in a way we all could "get". You will be sadly missed Mr Hughes, I see an award in your future at the Oscars, but sadly you won't be there to collect it yourself. You made so many classic movies it is hard to pick a favorite and we, your fans, will miss you. You may not get the publicity that others do when they die, but a lot of faces have turned heavenward today to salute you one final time.

By nichelle

thank you for entertaining us mr. hughes. both you and spike lee inspired me to want to become a filmmaker. your films and spirit will live on. r.i.p.

By LEE

As a "child of the 80's" I am stunned by this news, I cannot put into words the sadness I feel at the passing of this iconic man. There has never been a director who's movies have touched my life like Mr. Hughs. "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE MEMORIES" "May your journey be a peaceful one" R.I.P.

By Jabrown422

I'm crying now. My teen years was the eighties and he so defined everything in that era. Bless his family and he will never be forgotten.

By Andrew P

What a great loss, I grew up to his films such as planes trains, the home alones and the national lampoons which helped bring a festive feeling around christmas time, and still watch them repeatedly on a daily basis, RIP John Hughes Thank You for all the great films.

By amy

What a talented man..thanks for all the laughter and entertainment you provided us with..Trains,Planes and Automobiles still makes me laugh and I've seen it a gazillion times..

By Marc

R.I.P John Hughes. You were an inspiration!!!

Thursday 13 August

By Smith

What a shame there is not anyone like Him now . Thoe movies kept Us laughing and They are still good movies Everyone should see, When You need a laugh. My condolacices to His family and friends. We will miss His moviesand His talent

Friday 07 August

By icdou007

We lost a great one! I loved the 1980's music, movies and fashion. It was so much fun then. John Hughes brought teen movies and fun to light. It is a sad, sad, day. I use to go look up his movies so I could buy them all. He was the master of the 1980 films. I feel very sad for his family and the movie community. I did not know what happen to him, and why his movies stopped. God Bless you John and family, and you'll live on in your films.

By Carmen

He was the man. He made some of the best movies from the 80's. He will be missed.

By mindirella

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :( His movies helped me get through my teen years in the 80's. Great man.

By patrick gawne

If you love Hughes, you have to find his "Guide To Dating Women", an article published in National Lampoon back in the early 80's. The man was freakin' brilliant. So sad to hear of his untimely passing.

By M J Armstrong

Sad news. Ferris Bueller was one of the great American comedies. My daughter and I were just singing "Let my Cameron go" the other day. Thanks for the many laughs John.

By Moe

Thank you for the great memories!

RIP

By Lauren31886

That is so odd. I just heard the weird science theme on the radio this morning AND I was just watching Pretty in Pink 2 days ago.

Its too bad. He was pretty young still.

By kayann98

R.I.P. JOHN, MICHEAL, FERRA, BILLY, U WILL BE MISSED

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