John HughesThis month (August 2009) the world lost one of the great movie directors, writers and producers, John Hughes. He was responsible for bringing some of the most successful movies of the 1980’s and 1990’s to the big screen, including The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Home Alone. 
Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer in "Pretty in Pink"
John Hughes was born in Lansing Michigan in 1950, and graduated from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook Illinois in 1968. He would later use the school’s surrounding area as locations for his movies. Whilst at high school, he met Nancy Ludwig, whom he married in 1970. They remained married until his death, and had two sons together.
After dropping out of university in Arizona, John Hughes began his career as an advertising copywriter. However, he soon discovered he had a talent for comedy writing, and started selling jokes to well established comedians, such as Joan Rivers. Then, inspired by his childhood trips with his family, he wrote a story entitled “Vacation ‘58”. This story later became the basis for the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation”. While still with the magazine, John Hughes was first credited as a screenplay writer for “Class Reunion”.
Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer in "Pretty in Pink"John Hughes was born in Lansing Michigan in 1950, and graduated from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook Illinois in 1968. He would later use the school’s surrounding area as locations for his movies. Whilst at high school, he met Nancy Ludwig, whom he married in 1970. They remained married until his death, and had two sons together.
After dropping out of university in Arizona, John Hughes began his career as an advertising copywriter. However, he soon discovered he had a talent for comedy writing, and started selling jokes to well established comedians, such as Joan Rivers. Then, inspired by his childhood trips with his family, he wrote a story entitled “Vacation ‘58”. This story later became the basis for the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation”. While still with the magazine, John Hughes was first credited as a screenplay writer for “Class Reunion”.
Molly Ringwald who starred in John Hughes's "Sixteen Candles", "Pretty in Pink" and "The Breakfast Club"
In 1984, John Hughes won praise for his directorial debut with the movie “Sixteen Candles”. This was the first of several movies realistically portraying high school life from the student’s point of view. These teen movies also launched the careers of many young actors and actresses who collectively became known as “The Brat Pack”. However, in order to distance himself from these teen comedies, John Hughes branched out and directed “Planes Trains and Automobiles” in 1987, which starred both Steve Martin and John Candy. Following this, his greatest box office success was the movie “Home Alone” which he both wrote and produced. This was the highest grossing film of 1990. The last movie he directed was “Curly Sue” in 1991, after which he retired from the industry.
Poster for "Home Alone"
On August 6th 2009, John Hughes suffered a fatal heart attack, and he leaves behind not only his wife and sons, but also four grandchildren. He was a hugely successful figure in Hollywood, and will be much missed.
Joh Hughes with the cast of "The Breakfast Club"
Filmography
Writer
Delta House (1979) (TV Series)
National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982)
At Ease (TV Series) (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)
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)
Producer
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Pretty in Pink (1986; executive producer)
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; executive producer)
Uncle Buck (1989)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Home Alone (1990)
Career Opportunities (1991)
Only the Lonely (1991)
Dutch (1991)
Curly Sue (1991)
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)
New Port South (2001; executive producer)
Unproduced screenplays
The History of Ohio From The Beginning Of Time To The End Of The Universe (with P.J. O'Rourke)
Jaws 3: People 0 – a parody sequel to the popular series.[10]
Bartholomew Vs. Neff – Sylvester Stallone and John Candy are pitted against each other as feuding neighbors.[11]
The Bee – a feature length Disney film.[12]
The Grisbeys – a wealthy family suddenly becomes destitute, forcing them to move to the other side of the tracks during Christmas.[13]
Books
The National Lampoon Sunday Newspaper Parody (1978) (with P.J. O'Rourke)
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