Director/Writer John Hughes has died

[Dan F]

John Hughes, the Hollywood director whose coming-of-age films shaped a generation of filmgoers in the 1980s, has died aged 59.

The filmmaker, whose work included The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, suffered a fatal heart attack during a morning walk while visiting his family in New York.

He was also a successful screenwriter with a knack for populist family films such as Home Alone and Beethoven. His films launched the careers of child stars including Molly Ringwald, who played the lead in Sixteen Candles, the 1984 film about a girl’s excruciating birthday party on the eve of her sister’s wedding.

Their next collaboration, The Breakfast Club, also helped to establish the careers of Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy, who became part of a group of rising stars known informally as the Brat Pack.

Hughes, who lived in Illinois, also helped to forge the career of Macauley Culkin in the Home Alone films.

Michelle Bega, a spokeswoman for the director, last night confirmed his death. He was born on February 18, 1950 in Michigan and began his career writing advertising copy. He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 39 years, and their two sons John and James. He also had four grandchildren.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle6742239.ece

To give an idea of the iconic films he created:

Writer

* Delta House (1979) (TV Series)

* National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982)

* At Ease (1983) (TV Series)

* Mr. Mom (1983)

* National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

* Nate and Hayes (1983) (with David Odell)

* Sixteen Candles (1984)

* The Breakfast Club (1985)

* National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985; characters)

* Weird Science (1985)

* Pretty in Pink (1986)

* Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

* Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

* Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

* She's Having a Baby (1988)

* The Great Outdoors (1988)

* Uncle Buck (1989)

* National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

* Home Alone (1990)

* Career Opportunities (1991)

* Dutch (1991)

* Curly Sue (1991)

* Beethoven (1992) (as Edmond Dantes)

* Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

* Dennis the Menace (1993)

* Baby's Day Out (1994)

* Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

* 101 Dalmatians (1996)

* Flubber (1997)

* Home Alone 3 (1997)

* Reach The Rock (1998)

* Just Visiting (2001) (with Jean-Marie Poire & Christian Clavier)

* Maid in Manhattan (2002; story) (originally titled The Chambermaid) (as Edmond Dantes)

* Drillbit Taylor (2008; story) (as Edmond Dantes)

Director

* Sixteen Candles (1984)

* The Breakfast Club (1985)

* Weird Science (1985)

* Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

* Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

* She's Having a Baby (1988)

* Uncle Buck (1989)

* Curly Sue (1991)

[HAA Girl 08]

R.I.P. John.

He directed and wrote some great movies.

[Jen]

The Breakfast Club is one of my all-time favourite films. It is such a classic.

[emmasi]

That's an impressive list of credits. I'd be lying if I said I could have told you who wrote or directed those films, but I have enjoyed a lot of them for a lot of years.

R.I.P., Mr Hughes.

[Zetti]

I have no idea myself who he was but he directed and wrote awesome films. Rest In Peace

[Miranda]

Yes, an iconic film maker. I was one of his generation, I wore those fashions, I listened to those songs. A significant loss.

[Lesley Bee]

RIP John Hughes, a great film maker.

[Symphony]

RIP ..... Never knew him by name or any of that, but can respect him for the Movies he did that i've seen and loved.

[flyingwithoutwings]

Rest In Peace, John Hughes. I'd heard of him, but never realised the extent of his titles. Wow! Definitely an accomplishment. He'll be missed.

[jenlee]

It's so sad. For any NZ fans of his, C4 is having a John Hughes tribute season Wednesday nights at 8:30. They've already played Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club was on last night.