Editorial: Life Lessons from … John Candy
By • November 10, 2025 0 346
’Tis the season! To give, to appreciate what we have, to be grateful. These days, that’s easier said than done, isn’t it?
If you have a chance this Thanksgiving, check out the Amazon Prime documentary “John Candy: I Like Me.” The title comes from lines spoken by Candy’s character Del Griffith in the Thanksgiving classic “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”: “I like me. ’Cause I’m the real article. What you see is what you get.”
Candy’s short life (he died in 1994 at the age of 43) is full of life lessons.
For starters, he prioritized his family over all else. His dedication to raising his two kids is a direct reflection of his understanding how important they were to him. And he made sure to cultivate a work-life balance. As Washingtonians, while focusing on our careers, we sometimes lose sight of the people and things that matter most. Don’t let it happen!
The Toronto-born actor stayed humble and grounded, showing a genuine interest in people. He made sure to connect with his co-stars, asking Macaulay Culkin if he was okay after learning that Culkin had an abusive father. Candy also connected with film crews. His relatability is another great lesson: even if we don’t have thousands of dollars to donate this holiday season, our time is perhaps the most valuable gift of all.
So many celebrities, family members and others recall Candy fondly in the documentary. Though Candy passed away more than 30 years ago, and was only on this Earth for 43 years, he made a huge impact. The documentary is a reminder that life is indeed short, and what we leave behind is in our hands.
This holiday season, be the real article.
