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Filmmaker John Hughes Dies at 59 of a Heart Attack

by Christopher Campbell
August 6, 2009
Source: TMZ.com

Another '80s icon is gone. John Hughes, the writer and director remembered best for churning out classic teen movies such as The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, as well as the scripts for others, including Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, National Lampoon's Vacation, Home Alone, and Miracle on 34th Street, suffered a lethal heart attack this morning while taking a walk in New York City. He was only 59. For those of us who grew up in the '80s, Hughes was a legend, perhaps one of the first filmmakers we knew of by name and could associate with a certain brand of movie.

Though he'll forever be pegged to the teen genre, he was more generally an expert in film comedy, having scripted such favorites as Mr. Mom and National Lampoon's Vacation prior to his debut as a director with Sixteen Candles. After cementing himself as the teen-movie master he also helmed non-teen comedies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck and later stuck primarily to writing younger-targeted fare like Home Alone, Beethoven and Baby's Day Out. It's mostly when another high school-set film is made even nowadays that we still think of Hughes and use his work as a ruler with which to measure the genre by.

Hughes dropped out of directing in 1991, although he still produced and wrote scripts up until 1998. He will most certainly be remembered forever for all of the many great movies that he brought us over the years.

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harrison

thanks for everything john, ferris bueller and all the others were great movies, rest well
Al

was always hoping for a 2000s comeback for Hughes....rip
jasonmd2020

Aside from being a masterful filmmaker, in an industry that overemphasizes either NY or LA, he was proud of his roots in the midwest. For all the screwball antics in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, that movie was a love letter to Chicago. Thank you Mr. Hughes.
esophus

devastated! he will be deeply missed.the man personified a generation.
Stevo

no freaking way... RIP man.
Taylor

80s died officially.
David Banner

Sad to hear, but also odd, I checked out yesterday if The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off are out on Blu-Ray. Coincidences are there if you want to find them. RIP
dom

Ferris Bueller and Weird Science were two of my fav films that I would watch over and over in the 80's - thanks and RIP!
Mau-Dee

RIP RIGHTEOUS DUDE
bltzie

Thank you for Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Home Alone. RIP Mr. Hughes.
Spider

This is devastating news. I extend my deepest condolences to the Hughes family! Thanks for the flicks you gave us John! RIP!
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2408/blackbabyjesus.gif Crapola

Yeah, I thought those films were what it was like to be a teenager when I was young, even though they kindo weren't, I still live my life like I was in one of his films. Rest in Peace
http://www.superhausdesign.com Superhaus

I'm watching "Vacation" as I write this (Travel Channel is showing it). Man, what can I say about this guy and his work. He was and will forever be a comedic genius. His movie will continue to transcend the time and space of comedy.
Cody

RIP
dave

R.I.P
RandyG

Thank you, Mr. Hughes. You were a big part of my '80s. I watched Weird Science again a few nights ago and was amazed all over again at your talent. As prolific as you were, I wished we had even more.
last Son

He gave me so many great memories from my childhood. This is a sad day indeed!
http://vimeo.com/user1764245 Nick Sears

RIP - you made our childhood.
JimD

RIP you made childhood memories for sure. So young how sad.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/Abe%20froman/Pachonoombah1/Matthew%20Broderick/AbeFroman.jpg Abe Froman

danke schön.
usonnychiba1

That man made growing up a little easier to deal with. Genius.
jules

Did he ever say why he quit the industry?
bozoconnors

Thanks JH - we won't forget you for quite some time.
djrobl

NO SPAMKY MY WANKEY... Thank You John for all the laughs and understanding .... We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all.
Roy

#22: Studio executives would give him trouble with unneeded ideas, and he was damn tired of it.
Petoria

What can I say? Hughes was easily the best for teen movies. Some Kind of Wonderful remains my favorite teen romance. He was awesome.
Mark.E

R.I.P John, he made amazing movies i loved The Breakfast Club, Weird Science and Ferris Bueller's Day Off i havent seen all his work but i definitely need to!!