Bill Murray Remembers John Candy Driving a Famous Director ‘Out of His Mind’
Bill Murray is opening up about one unforgettable moment working with John Candy, showing just how wild the Canadian comedian could be. The story comes from the new documentary John Candy: I Like Me, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds. The film explores Candy’s life beyond his happy-go-lucky public image, with Murray offering a candid look at the chaos Candy could bring to a set.
Murray and Candy first worked together on the 1981 comedy Stripes, and over the years they moved in the same Hollywood circles. In the documentary, Murray talks about a stage reading for a play by Saturday Night Live writer Marilyn Suzanne Miller. The reading was directed by Sydney Pollack, known for serious films like Out of Africa and Tootsie. The cast included Murray, Candy, Ray Liotta, and Kevin Kline.
Murray described how Candy’s comedic instincts clashed with Pollack’s serious style. “Candy had a scene where he was in the bathroom, talking, and he milked it so bad,” Murray said. Candy stretched a simple moment into a long, improvised beat, testing the patience of everyone on set. “He milked it. The timing was beyond comprehension. You couldn’t believe it,” Murray added.
Watching the director struggle became part of the fun for Murray. “I’m watching Sydney Pollack, who’s going out of his mind, because John is just milking it, milking it, milking it, just having his own kind of fun,” Murray said. “I’m laughing because I know Sydney is going to kill him.”
Murray clarified that Candy’s performance wasn’t bad or unfunny, but it was selfish toward the other actors. “It wasn’t sucking, he was just milking,” he explained. “It wasn’t like it wasn’t funny, it was just that it was shamefully irresponsible to the idea that there might be another actor in the scene or in the whole play.”
The documentary balances these wild stories with softer moments about Candy. For instance, Macaulay Culkin shares how Candy acted like a father figure on the set of Uncle Buck.
Candy, who passed away in 1994 at age 43 while filming Wagons East, remains a beloved figure in comedy. He first gained fame on the sketch show SCTV and starred in classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Spaceballs, Cool Runnings, and The Great Outdoors.
Murray, meanwhile, has had a long career in Hollywood, moving from sketch comedy to dramatic roles. He recently reprised his role as Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Lord Krylar in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He frequently collaborates with Wes Anderson, with roles in The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Asteroid City. He is set to star in Anderson’s upcoming film, The Phoenician Scheme, alongside Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera.
The documentary John Candy: I Like Me features home videos and interviews that give fans a fuller picture of Candy as both a comedian and a person. Produced by Ryan Reynolds, the film has been praised for showing Candy as more than just the funny “big guy” of Hollywood.
The story Murray shares about Pollack shows how improvisational actors like Candy can create chaos on set. Some viewers see that energy as bringing spontaneity and life to a production, while others wonder if it hurts the final result.
Murray’s memories remind audiences of the delicate balance between comedic genius and professional collaboration. “It was shamefully irresponsible,” he said, describing Candy’s style—but also leaving no doubt that it was also hilariously entertaining.
The source of this story is the documentary John Candy: I Like Me, which features interviews with Bill Murray and archival footage of the late comedian.
Fans can consider whether Candy’s improvisational approach was a gift or a curse for those who worked with him.
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