A major Personalities loss to report. Iconic director-writer John Hughes has passed away.
TMZ.com confirmed this afternoon that the 59-year-old Hughes suffered a fatal heart attack while taking a morning walk during a visit to family in New York City.
One of the most prolific filmmakers of the 1980s and early 90s, Hughes reached his commercial zenith as writer of the blockbuster hit "Home Alone." However, it was his uncanny ability to capture the absolute chaos, humor and emotion of being a teenager as director of such films as "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," "Weird Science" and, especially, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Pretty in Pink," that literally marked a generation. .png)
Actors like Matthew Broderick ("Ferris Bueller"), Anthony Michael Hall ("Sixteen Candles"), Macaulay Culkin ("Home Alone") and particularly Molly Ringwald ("Pretty in Pink") became household names because of their collaborations with Hughes. Ringwald would ultimately grace the cover of Time Magazine, rightfully representing the zeitgeist that was spawned by Hughes.
Yet, the bigger legacy, beyond the catch phrases, savvy music soundtracks and his feverish loyalty to the city of Chicago, the world of Hughes captured what it felt to be young in an era before reality television, PDA just meant "public displays of affection" and the prom really was that crucial to your life. Then, Hughes just stopped making movies.
He became reclusive, avoiding any press inquiries and the industry as a whole. Recently, a flurry of reports sprung forth over the prospect of remaking "The Breakfast Club" or a continuation of "Sixteen Candles" with members of the original cast. These were the first real flickers of hope that Hughes would return to give "Generation X" something to share with their teenagers today. Suddenly, the loss of Hughes means we are truly 40-something, those of us who came of age with the Geek, Samantha, Jake Ryan, Blaine, Lisa, Ferris, Sloane Peterson, the Donger, et. al.
Memberships to the Breakfast Club will still be honored for those who remain forever the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess and the criminal in their hearts and cinematic memories of being young.
Thank you, John Hughes. From a member of one generation, I won't ever forget about you.
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Comments
An entire generation's collective heart is broken today. It's time to put on the pajama pants, get the tissue box, break out the ice cream and sit on the couch watching The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller and Sixteen Candles all night. Speaking of candles, no one held one to his depictions of teen joy and angst. People tried, but failed.
It's a sad day for all of us who grew up in the 80's... wishing we were at Saturday school, had a best friend like "Duckie" or hoping we'd get asked out by Jake Ryan. He was one of a kind and will be missed. Thank for all the laughs & happiness you brought to my youth Mr. Hughes...I never got the pink convertible, but I had a pink beach cruiser bike because of you.
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