Legendary Chicago Director John Hughes Dies at Age 59

CHICAGO – Influential and beloved Chicago director John Hughes has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 59. He only directed eight films in his too-brief career but he was easily one of the most prominent and successful filmmakers of the ’80s, bringing the “brat pack” to life in films like “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Sixteen Candles”.

Details on the cause of death are unclear, but it is reported that he died suddenly of a heart attack while taking a morning walk during a trip to Manhattan. Born in Michigan, Hughes moved to Chicago at a young age and shot most of his films here.

Hughes first broke through as a writer, penning “Mr. Mom” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation” before his directorial debut, the smash hit “Sixteen Candles” in 1984. Hughes would only direct seven more films but most of them were beloved and influential on a generation of filmmakers - “The Breakfast Club,” “Weird Science,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” “She’s Having a Baby,” “Uncle Buck,” and “Curly Sue”.

Hughes also wrote and/or produced “Pretty in Pink,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “The Great Outdoors,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Home Alone,” and many more.

John Hughes hasn’t had a screen credit since 2001 and spent his recent years maintaining a functioning farm in Northern Illinois. Our condolences go out to his wife Nancy, two sons, John and James, and four grandchildren.

[14]	By BRIAN TALLERICO [15] Content Director HollywoodChicago.com [14]