The family of the late actor John Candy is speaking out against the persistent focus on his weight during his celebrated career in Hollywood. Jennifer Candy-Sullivan, Candy's daughter, and her mother, Rosemary Candy, shared their frustrations in a recent interview with Fox News Digital, asserting that the criticism was "upsetting" and that their father had to endure.

During a discussion at Televerse 26, an event hosted by the Television Academy, Jennifer Candy-Sullivan stated that individuals with "any sort of difference" were often placed "under a magnifying glass" in Hollywood, and for her father, this meant his weight. She noted that he handled the scrutiny with grace, "like a gentleman," and as his career progressed, he became more comfortable expressing himself. However, she added that the public's perception of him as an "everyday guy" sometimes led people to believe it was acceptable to make jokes at his expense, which she stated "wasn't that okay" and "is not cool."

Rosemary Candy echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that while her husband managed the attention well, it remained a difficult challenge for him, especially early in his career. Jennifer speculated that even if her father were experiencing fame today, he would likely face a different but equally harsh form of public critique, suggesting that any attempt to alter his appearance, such as losing weight, could lead to comments like, "You're too skinny, you're no longer funny."

The family's remarks come as they attended a special screening of the documentary "John Candy: I Like Me," directed by Colin Hanks. The film, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2025, features interviews with many of Candy's former co-stars, including Steve Martin, Macaulay Culkin, Bill Murray, Catherine O'Hara, and Martin Short.

Hanks described Candy as one of the most relatable figures in entertainment. He noted that discussions around mental health and therapy, which were not common during Candy's active career, have since become more prevalent, highlighting how the actor's openness about such topics, even if private at the time, further underscored his relatability.

Jennifer Candy-Sullivan shared that seeing her father's vulnerability in the documentary was challenging but also revealing. She explained that Candy was adept at separating his professional and personal life, rarely bringing work-related stress home. While her mother had a better understanding of his struggles through their conversations, Jennifer and her brother Christopher had limited insight into these difficulties until seeing them depicted in the film.

John Candy rose to prominence as a member of the sketch comedy show "Second City Television," where he also served as a writer, earning two Emmy Awards for his work. His film career took off with his role in "Splash," followed by iconic performances in "Uncle Buck," "The Great Outdoors," "Spaceballs," and "Cool Runnings," among others. The actor died of a heart attack in March 1994 at the age of 43.