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IMDbPro

John Hughes(1950-2009)

  • Writer
  • Producer
  • Director
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000482
John Hughes
Watch Sing Along Trailer
Play trailer1:10
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
9 Videos
23 Photos
John Hughes was an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter. He was credited for creating some of the most memorable comedy films of the 1980s and the 1990s, when he was at the height of his career. He had a talent for writing coming-of-age stories, and for depicting fairly realistic adolescent characters.

In 1950, Hughes was born in Lansing, Michigan. The city's main employers for much of the 20th century were manufacturing plants for automobiles. Lansing housed the headquarters of companies such as Oldsmobile and the REO Motor Car Company. Hughes' father John Hughes Sr. was a salesman, while Hughes' mother Marion Crawford worked as a volunteer for charity organizations.

Hughes had three sisters and no brothers. His family moved often. For most of his childhood, the Hughes family lived in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a commuter suburb of Metro Detroit. According to an interview of Hughes, he was the only boy in his neighborhood while growing up. He was surrounded by girls and "old people," and there was no boys around for him to befriend. He spend a lot of time alone, and used his active imagination to keep himself entertained.

In 1963, the Hughes family moved to Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Hughes attended first the Grove Middle School, and then the Glenbrook North High School. His high school experiences reportedly provided inspiration for his teen-themed films of his career. According to interviews with Hughes' friends, Hughes had a poor relationship with his parents who often criticized him.

As an adolescent, Hughes felt the need to escape his problems. He became an avid film fan, as he found that films satisfied his need for escapism. He was a fan of both the Rat Pack (an informal group of actors and singers), and the music group The Beatles.

After graduating high school, Hughes enrolled in the University of Arizona. He eventually dropped out of the University, and tried to make a living as a comedy writer. He wrote jokes for professional comedians, such as Rodney Dangerfield (1921 - 2004) and Joan Rivers (1933 - 2014).

In 1970, Hughes was hired by the advertising company Needham Harper & Steers (1925-1986). That same year, Hughes married his former high school classmate Nancy Ludwig. Hughes worked in the advertising industry for several years. In 1974, Hughes was hired by the advertising agency Leo Burnett Worldwide. This company's most notable clients included the Pillsbury Company, StarKist, Heinz, Green Giant, and Philip Morris.

As a marketing agent, Hughes was assigned to handle Virginia Slims, a brand of cigarettes produced by Philip Morris. The assignment required him to regularly travel to New York City, where Philip Morris' headquarters were located. Hughes took the opportunity to visit the offices of the popular humor magazine "National Lampoon" (1970-1998) in New York City. He successfully negotiated a new position as a regular contributor to the magazine.

Hughes reportedly impressed the magazine's editors by producing quality work at a fast pace. Among his first short stories was "Vacation '58," based on his recollections of his family's vacations during his childhood. The story was eventually adapted into the road comedy film "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983).

"National Lampoon" co-produced films written by their staff writers. Hughes provided the script for the black comedy "National Lampoon's Class Reunion" (1982), depicting a serial killer who targets his former classmates. The film was poorly received and under-performed at the box office, but it inspired Hughes to try to make a career as a screenwriter.

Hughes subsequently wrote the scripts for both "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983) and "Mr. Mom" (1983), comedy films which were box office hits. He then signed a contract for three films with the studio Universal Pictures. He made his directing debut in the coming-of-age comedy film "Sixteen Candles" (1984). The film depicted the misadventures of high school sophomore Samantha "Sam" Baker (played by Molly Ringwald). It performed well at the box office, and was well-received by critics.

Hughes quickly established himself as a leading director of teen films. His films "The Breakfast Club" (1985), "Weird Science" (1985), and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) are considered classics of the genre. To cover new ground, he then directed "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987), featuring a duo of adult protagonists. The stars of the film were experienced comic actors Steve Martin and John Candy. The film was a hit. More importantly, Hughes and Candy became close friends. They would often work together in subsequent films.

Hughes' next film as a director was "She's Having a Baby" (1988), about the life of a newlywed couple. The film fared poorly financially and was considered rather "blasé" by critics. Hughes made a comeback with "Uncle Buck" (1989), about a lifelong bachelor who has to take care of his two nieces and a nephew. The film was a box office hit, earning about 80 million dollars at the box office.

Hughes' final film as a director was the comedy-drama "Curly Sue" (1991), about homeless con artist Bill Dancer (played by Jim Belushi) who desperately tries to keep the custody of his surrogate daughter. While moderately successful at the box office at the box office, the film was widely ridiculed for being overly sentimental.

In the 1990s, Hughes found success as a screenwriter, scripting several box office hits. Among his most notable films in this period were "Home Alone" (1990) and "Beethoven" (1992), with both films starting lucrative media franchises. Hughes also wrote the scripts of the sequels "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992) and "Home Alone 3" (1997). He also scripted a notable comic strip adaptation, "Dennis the Menace" (1993). It was based on the long-running comic strip "Dennis the Menace" (1951-) by Hank Ketcham (1920-2001).

In 1994, Hughes moved to the Chicago metropolitan area. At about that time, he started actively avoiding publicity. He rarely gave any interviews until the end of his life. In 1995, Hughes co-founded the production company Great Oaks Entertainment, which mainly handled co-production of Disney produced films. Hughes handled the scripting of two of the company's films: "101 Dalmatians" (1996) and "Flubber" (1997). Both were remakes of older films.

In 1997, Hughes severed his partnership with Ricardo Mestres. A year later, their final co-production, "Reach the Rock," was released. The film was scripted by Hughes, though it was uncharacteristically dramatic for a Hughes film. The film depicted the conflict between an alienated young man and a police chief.

In the 2000s, Hughes only scripted three more films. The most notable among them the romantic drama "Maid in Manhattan" (2002), a hit for protagonist Jennifer Lopez. It earned about 164 million dollars.

In August 2009, Hughes visited New York City with his wife. He wanted to visit one of his sons who lived there, and to meet his new grandson. On August 6, Hughes suffered a heart attack while walking in Manhattan. He was transported to Roosevelt Hospital, but died shortly after. He was fifty-nine years old.

Hughes was buried in Lake Forest Cemetery, a rural cemetery located in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was survived by his wife, their two children, and several grandchildren.
BornFebruary 18, 1950
DiedAugust 6, 2009(59)
BornFebruary 18, 1950
DiedAugust 6, 2009(59)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000482
  • Awards
    • 2 wins & 2 nominations

Photos23

John Hughes and Nancy Hughes in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Matthew Broderick, John Hughes, and Lee Ann Marie in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
John Hughes in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
John Hughes in Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
"The Breakfast Club" Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, director John Hughes, Anthony Michael Hall
"The Breakfast Club" Paul Gleason, director John Hughes
"The Breakfast Club" Molly Ringwald, director John Hughes, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez
John Hughes in 101 Dalmatians (1996)
"The Breakfast Club" Director John Hughes
Director John Hughes circa 1980s
Director John Hughes circa 1980s
Director John Hughes

Known for

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
7.6
  • Writer
  • 1987
Macaulay Culkin, Gaby Hoffmann, John Candy, Amy Madigan, Elaine Bromka, Garrett M. Brown, and Jean Louisa Kelly in Uncle Buck (1989)
Uncle Buck
7.1
  • Writer
  • 1989
Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall in The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club
7.8
  • Writer
  • 1985
Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
7.8
  • Writer
  • 1986

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Writer

  • The Breakfast Club Live! (2023)
    The Breakfast Club Live!
    • Writer
    • 2023
  • Archie Yates in Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
    Home Sweet Home Alone
    • based on a screenplay by
    • story by
    • 2021
  • Christina Applegate, Ed Helms, Skyler Gisondo, and Steele Stebbins in Vacation (2015)
    Vacation
    • characters
    • 2015
  • Jonathan Silverman and Cujo in Beethoven's Treasure Tail (2014)
    Beethoven's Treasure Tail
    • based on characters created by (as Edmond Dantes)
    • Video
    • 2014
  • Christian Martyn in Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)
    Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
    • original characters (uncredited)
    • TV Movie
    • 2012
  • Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)
    Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
    • original characters
    • Video
    • 2011
  • Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo in Hotel Hell Vacation (2010)
    Hotel Hell Vacation
    • original characters
    • Video
    • 2010
  • Owen Wilson in Drillbit Taylor (2008)
    Drillbit Taylor
    • story (as Edmond Dantes)
    • 2008
  • Home Alone (2006)
    Home Alone
    • characters
    • Video Game
    • 2006
  • Daveigh Chase, Dave Thomas, and Cujo in Beethoven's 5th (2003)
    Beethoven's 5th
    • characters (as Edmond Dantes)
    • Video
    • 2003
  • Ralph Fiennes and Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan (2002)
    Maid in Manhattan
    • story (as Edmond Dantès)
    • 2002
  • The Wonderful World of Disney (1997)
    The Wonderful World of Disney
    • characters
    • TV Series
    • 2002
  • Judge Reinhold, Julia Sweeney, and Cujo in Beethoven's 4th (2001)
    Beethoven's 4th
    • based on characters created by (as Edmond Dantès)
    • Video
    • 2001
  • Promo Poster
    Just Visiting
    • screenplay
    • 2001
  • Judge Reinhold and Cujo in Beethoven's 3rd (2000)
    Beethoven's 3rd
    • characters (as Edmond Dantès)
    • Video
    • 2000

Producer

  • New Port South (2001)
    New Port South
    • executive producer
    • 2001
  • Reach the Rock (1998)
    Reach the Rock
    • producer
    • 1998
  • Henry Bumstead, Christopher Curry, Adrianne Duncan, Bruce Green, Darwin Harris, Rya Kihlstedt, Kevin Kilner, Darren T. Knaus, Olek Krupa, Krista Lally, Alex D. Linz, Julio Macat, Haviland Morris, Marian Seldes, David Thornton, and Lenny von Dohlen in Home Alone 3 (1997)
    Home Alone 3
    • producer
    • 1997
  • Robin Williams and Scott Martin Gershin in Flubber (1997)
    Flubber
    • producer
    • 1997
  • Glenn Close in 101 Dalmatians (1996)
    101 Dalmatians
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1996
  • Richard Attenborough and Mara Wilson in Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
    Miracle on 34th Street
    • producer
    • 1994
  • Adam Robert Worton and Jacob Joseph Worton in Baby's Day Out (1994)
    Baby's Day Out
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1994
  • Walter Matthau and Mason Gamble in Dennis the Menace (1993)
    Dennis the Menace
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1993
  • Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
    Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1992
  • Curly Sue (1991)
    Curly Sue
    • producer
    • 1991
  • Ethan Embry and Ed O'Neill in Dutch (1991)
    Dutch
    • producer
    • 1991
  • Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy, and John Candy in Only the Lonely (1991)
    Only the Lonely
    • producer
    • 1991
  • Career Opportunities (1991)
    Career Opportunities
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1991
  • Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern in Home Alone (1990)
    Home Alone
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1990
  • Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and John Randolph in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
    • producer
    • 1989

Director

  • Curly Sue (1991)
    Curly Sue
    • Director
    • 1991
  • Macaulay Culkin, Gaby Hoffmann, John Candy, Amy Madigan, Elaine Bromka, Garrett M. Brown, and Jean Louisa Kelly in Uncle Buck (1989)
    Uncle Buck
    • Director (directed by)
    • 1989
  • She's Having a Baby (1988)
    She's Having a Baby
    • Director (directed by)
    • 1988
  • Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
    Planes, Trains & Automobiles
    • Director
    • 1987
  • Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
    Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    • Director (directed by)
    • 1986
  • Anthony Michael Hall, Kelly LeBrock, and Ilan Mitchell-Smith in Weird Science (1985)
    Weird Science
    • Director (directed by)
    • 1985
  • Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall in The Breakfast Club (1985)
    The Breakfast Club
    • Director (directed by)
    • 1985
  • Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Michael Schoeffling in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Sixteen Candles
    • Director
    • 1984
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos9

What to Watch After "I Am Not Okay With This"
Clip 3:39
What to Watch After "I Am Not Okay With This"
'Home Alone': 5 Things You Didn't Know
Clip 3:02
'Home Alone': 5 Things You Didn't Know
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:27
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:30
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:11
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Clip 1:09
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Sing Along Trailer
Trailer 1:10
Sing Along Trailer
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Trailer 1:21
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Planes, Trains and Automobiles [Planes, Trains & Automobiles]
Trailer 0:31
Planes, Trains and Automobiles [Planes, Trains & Automobiles]

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative names
    • Edmond Dantes
  • Height
    • 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
  • Born
    • February 18, 1950
    • Lansing, Michigan, USA
  • Died
    • August 6, 2009
    • Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(heart attack)
  • Spouse
    • Nancy Hughes1970 - August 6, 2009 (his death, 2 children)
  • Children
      John Hughes III
  • Parents
      Marion Joyce Crawford
  • Other works
    Audio commentary for the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Biographical Movie
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 6 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Rarely gave interviews. By the 1990s, shunned publicity completely, withdrawing from public life.
  • Quotes
    I stumbled into this business, I didn't train for it. I yelled "Action!" on my first two movies before the camera was turned on.
  • Trademarks
      Movies often take place in Shermer, Illinois

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