Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has unveiled a touching new project that celebrates the life and legacy of Canadian comedy icon John Candy — a figure Reynolds says deeply influenced his own life and career.
The 48-year-old Deadpool actor produced John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary now streaming worldwide. For Reynolds, the film is a deeply personal endeavor. “I see a lot of elements in my own life when I look at John,” he shared. “Beyond the obvious — he’s Canadian, owned a sports team — he had this constant feeling of racing against time. Sadly, in John’s case, he was.”
The documentary features heartfelt interviews with Candy’s family, close friends, and co-stars including Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and Martin Short, who all shared loving memories of the beloved actor who passed away at 43 from a heart attack.
Reflecting on the project, Reynolds told People Magazine, “Everyone who knew John says the same thing — he was kind when nobody was watching. That’s something I admire and strive for.”
As a child, Reynolds used to imitate Candy’s performances and credits him for inspiring his comedic style. “Even Deadpool & Wolverine was written in the footprint of Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” he revealed.
Although the Green Lantern actor never met Candy in person, creating the documentary gave Reynolds what he calls a “pathway of communication” with the late legend — a tribute from one Canadian talent to another.