John Hughes

Graduated Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, Illinois, USA.

Started out in the 1970s as a writer for National Lampoon magazine.

A number of his movies have a small scene after the credits.

One reason that John Hughes films are set in Shermer, Illinois, is because Northbrook was once called Shermerville. Furthermore, Glenbrook North High School is located on Shermer Road.

Was a fan of The Beatles and frequently had characters in his movies sing Beatles songs: Anthony Michael Hall (the Geek) sings "Hey Jude" in Sixteen Candles , Jon Cryer (Duckie) sings "Love" in Pretty in Pink , and Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller) sings "Twist & Shout" in Ferris Buellers Day Off .

Used the pen name Edmond Dants, a homage to the lead character in The Count of Monte Cristo .

Wrote roles for John Candy , Anthony Michael Hall , and Molly Ringwald.

Inspired the "Brat Pack" movement of the 1980s.

He wrote two movies where the main character is involved in a race with the theme from Chariots of Fire going on in the background ( Mr. Mom and National Lampoons Vacation ).

Lived, for some time, in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Although he was offered the distinguished alumni award from Glenbrook North High School, he refused it in reflection of his not so great memories of the north shore and the school itself.

Father of writer/producer James Hughes and musician John Hughes.

Owned farm land in Harvard, Illinois..

The premiere episode of "Community" ("Pilot") is dedicated to his memory.

Attended Arizona State University.

Rarely gave interviews. By the 1990s, shunned publicity completely, withdrawing from public life.

When casting the role of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone , Chris Columbus had already seen Macaulay Culkin in Uncle Buck but he wanted to audition some other kids while Hughes had his heart set on Culkin. So Columbus met Culkin in New York and was very charmed by him and thought he was fantastic. Columbus auditioned five other kids and none of them shaped up to Culkin. Columbus went with Culkin because he was not as picture perfect and he had an instant relatability to the kids in the audience. Columbus knew the cameras would love him and he was immensely funny.

Chris Columbus was sent two scripts by Hughes while he was staying with his wifes parents in Chicago after the birth of their first child; one was for Home Alone . Columbus fell in love with it, it really struck a chord with him and he felt he could make a really strong film out of it. He and Hughes hit it off instantly so Hughes gave him the job to direct.

Two of Hughes films have been selected for preservation by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. "Ferris Buellers Day Off" was chosen in 2014, and "The Breakfast Club" in 2016.

Hughes notoriously cut off contact with his favorite young performers - Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall - after they rejected some of his scripts in the mid-1980s. When he died in 2009, Hughes hadnt spoken to either of them in over 20 years. In a NY Times editorial about his death, Ringwald wrote: "Most people who knew John knew that he was able to hold a grudge longer than anyone -- his grudges were almost supernatural things, enduring for years, even decades. [Hall] suspects that he was never forgiven for turning down parts in "Pretty in Pink" and "Ferris Buellers Day Off". I turned down later films as well ["Some Kind of Wonderful"]. Not because I didnt want to work with John anymore -- I loved working with him, more than anyone before or since".

Hughes died of a sudden heart attack while taking a morning stroll down West 55th Street in Manhattan. At the time he was visiting family in New York City.

Many examples of unproduced screenplays he had wrote and were rejected by studios were: National Lampoons Jaws 3/People 0. A documentary spoof of the making of Jaws. Due to a lawsuit from Steven Spielberg looming if it was made, Universal Studios scrapped it. National Lampoons The Joy of Sex. A comedy anthology film about the life of a young man obsessed with sex, even when he enters adulthood. It was originally to star John Belushi and be directed by Penny Marshall, but when a reluctant Belushi decided to go ahead with the film, he died from a drug overdose the next morning and Paramount did not produce the movie. The script was eventually re-written as a teenage sex comedy under the title Joy of Sex in 1984. Matty Simmons was involved with the movie, but ordered to have his name and the National Lampoon moniker taken off the film after he saw the final cut. The New Kid. A movie meant to star Anthony Michael Hall as the new kid in college. Oil and Vinegar. A comedy-drama road movie meant to star Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy. Broderick would play a groom driving out of town to a wedding with Sheedy as a hitchhiker that he picks up. They both then talk about their personal problems in the car for the remainder of the trip. Bartholomew Vs. Neff. A comedy meant to star John Candy and Sylvester Stallone as feuding neighbors. Tickets. A group of teenagers pull an all-nighter waiting for tickets to a legendary rock concert. Grisbys Go Broke. A middle-class family lose all their money and are forced to spend the holidays frugally. It was rumored that Paramount was going to make this movie upon the passing of Hughes, but this has yet to be determined.

While filming Planes, Trains & Automobiles actors John Candy & Steve Martin shared a drink with John Hughes at Naperville, Illinois The Lantern Tavern & Grill.

Distinguished art director, long at Warner Brothers (1933-49), where he handled many A-grade action features and westerns, including The Charge of the Light Brigade , They Died with Their Boots On and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre . Occasionally billed as John J. Hughes.

Manager of Irish Folk/Pop Group "The Corrs".

Son of writer/director John Hughes.

Brother of writer/producer James Hughes.

Was a member of the bands Turtletoes, Bill Ding, and Slicker.

Father of Miko Hughes.

Founder of Tau Films.

Founder of Rhythm & Hues Studios.

Father of Sarah Hughes , Rebecca Hughes , David Hughes , Matt Hughes , Taylor Hughes and Emily Hughes.

Played for a national championship hockey team at Cornell.

The hardest thing about being a writer is convincing your wife that lying on the sofa is work.