John Candy's Grown-Up Son and Daughter Attend 'John Candy: I Like Me' Premiere at the 2025 TIFF

John Candy’s children make emotional red carpet appearance for documentary tribute — and fans are stunned by their uncanny resemblance to the late comedy legend.

It was a night of laughter, tears, and legacy as the children of John Candy stepped into the spotlight on Thursday, September 4, at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the long-awaited documentary, “John Candy: I Like Me,” made its world premiere.

But what began as a glamorous evening soon turned deeply emotional—for both the Candy family and the fans who adored their father.

Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy, now grown and carving their own paths in entertainment, were joined by their gracious and ever-elegant mother, Rosemary Candy, as they honored the life and legacy of the man the world lost far too soon.

Elegance, Memory, and Family Pride: The Candys Return to the Spotlight

The siblings arrived at Roy Thomson Hall looking polished and poised, paying tribute not just to their father’s work, but to his spirit.

Jennifer, radiant in a strapless black jumpsuit with soft draping, added a touch of vintage shimmer with a gold lace shrug. Her bold patterned clutch brought warmth to her look, while her natural waves and subtle makeup kept the moment grounded in heartfelt simplicity.

Beside her, Christopher exuded classic charm in a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie—echoing the timeless style his father was known for.

But it was Rosemary, John’s widow, who stole hearts in a flowing black ensemble layered with a textured jacket and lace top, her statement glasses and warm smile lighting up the carpet.

The crowd couldn’t help but point out the resemblance between the family and the late Canadian icon.

“She has his eyes!!!! 🥰” one fan wrote.“He looks just like his father. And she has his smile 😃... they both got something from him,” another shared.

“Jennifer looks carbon copy of her late dad 😳🍁,” a stunned commenter declared.“He would be just so very proud of his children 😊 R.I.P. Sweet man. You are dearly missed,” one heartfelt message read.

A Tearful Walk Down Memory Lane

“John Candy: I Like Me”—named after the actor’s famous line from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”—chronicles the rollercoaster of a career and life that touched millions.

Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by longtime fan Ryan Reynolds, the film features appearances from Hollywood royalty including Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, and Conan O’Brien.

But it’s the deeply personal contributions from Jennifer, Christopher, and Rosemary that make the documentary so affecting.

“I found out that my dad was shy in high school — so was I! He was also stubborn, just like me,” Christopher wrote in a poignant Toronto Star essay.“Most poignant was something I already knew, but this time it hit a little harder: He lost his dad when he was five; I lost mine when I was eight.”

The Moment They Found Out: “Our Mom Was There. She Told Us.”

John Candy died in his sleep of a heart attack in March 1994 while filming Wagons East in Mexico. He was only 43 years old.

Christopher, just a third grader at the time, recalled the devastating moment he and Jennifer were pulled from their classes at St. Martin of Tours school.

“When Father Donie pulled me out of class that day, I thought he was going to compliment me on my performance!” Christopher remembered.“He walked with me and my sister down to the rectory... We saw our dad’s assistant, Bob Crane, sobbing. We turned the corner into the priest’s office, and our mom was there. She told us that our dad had died.”

Jennifer also shared a gut-wrenching memory from the night before their lives changed forever. “I was studying for a vocabulary test. I was 14. He had just come home for my 14th birthday,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.

“I was slightly distant because I was studying. So I was like, ‘Yeah, OK, I love you. I will talk to you later.’ Then I hang up, and I go back to studying.” The guilt of that brief call haunted her—but today, it’s become a piece of a much larger portrait of love, loss, and healing.

A Son’s Reflection

In the film, Christopher dives into how his father’s early trauma—losing his own dad at age five—shaped him into the kind but overwhelmed man he became.

“It tells the story of how it thrust him into early adulthood, how he dealt with it, how he organized his pain and how that pain presented in his body and mind,” he wrote. “How he took care of everyone else before he would take care of himself.”

Now an actor and radio host, Christopher carries his father’s memory not just in his face—but in his fight to bring depth and meaning to his own work.

Jennifer, too, has followed her father’s footsteps as an actress and podcast host, keeping the family’s presence in entertainment alive.