John Hughes: 80s Film Icon Dead

I grew up watching the romantic, whimsical, quirky comedies from director John Hughes. Hey, he introduced Molly Ringwald to me, one of my pop idols as a child. He also introduced a group of other talented stars to the world, made the 80s culture iconic, and inspired many.Mr. Hughes died Thursday while taking a stroll in Manhattan by a heart attack at age 59.-He is survived by two sons.

After graduating from high school John began a career as a writer for National Lampoon magazine. (He also wrote and co produced National Lampoon’s Vacation and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation).His mark of fame began however with movies featuring teens in which he pioneered the “Brat Pack” group (which includes Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez and Rob Lowe). Their movies were hits and have become classics in the hearts of many such as Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Hughes launched a beginning point for many successful actors and actresses including John and Joan Cusack, Macaulay Culkin,Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald.Many rumors often filled tabloids surrounding the relationship between Hughes and Ringwald. Many felt it was mutually romantic and some felt that Hughes had an obsession with the teen star.However, both denied that anything had ever happened between them. Their filming relationship together soon ended after three films together due to Ringwald’s attempt to broaden her film roles. (Which never really went anywhere).

Hughes too wished to expand his film horizons and did so with family films and comedies that were not as focused on teen love and fun. Just as he often employed and wrote for the same teens he also did so with comedian veteran John Candy. Some of Hughes films that followed the “brat pack” era were Plains, Trains, and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Curly Sue, Beethoven, and Home Alone.

Hughes films left many fads, fashions, and crazes. These include fashion, celebrities, breaking the fourth wall in films, and definitely music. Many hit pop songs were named after Hughes films such as Pretty in Pink.  John received the Producer of the Year award in 1991. His films have received 31 awards and multiple nominations.Although Hughes kind of dropped from the radar over the last decade he will definitely leave behind a legacy to last. 

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia