HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The sudden death of director John Hughes on Thursday touched off a wave of emotion, with many of the stars he helped make famous offering tributes to the man behind such films as 1980s classics “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Hughes, who died at the age of 59 from a heart attack during a morning walk, is credited with launching the careers of such stars as Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, John Cusack, Judd Nelson and Macaulay Culkin.
Here are just a few of the celebrity tributes that have poured in:
“I was stunned and incredibly sad to hear about the death of John Hughes. He was and will always be such an important part of my life. He will be missed – by me and by everyone that he has touched. My heart and all my thoughts are with his family now.” — actress Molly Ringwald, who starred in “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles.”
“I was a fan of both his work and a fan of him as a person. The world has lost not only a quintessential filmmaker whose influence will be felt for generations, but a great and decent man.” — actor Macaulay Culkin, star of the “Home Alone” franchise.
“I am truly shocked and saddened by the news about my old friend John Hughes. He was a wonderful, very talented guy and my heart goes out to his family.” — actor Matthew Broderick, star of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
“He took a tremendous chance on me. Like Orson Welles, he was a boy wonder, a director’s director, a writer’s writer, a filmmaker’s filmmaker. He was one of the giants.” — actor Bill Paxton, who starred in “Weird Science.”
“I asked John how long it took to write ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles,’ he said, ‘I wrote it over the weekend.’ The weekend. That shows you what he was able to do.” — actor and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” star Steve Martin.
“He was a wonderful man, a genius, a poet. I don’t think anyone has come close to him as being the poet of the youth of America in the postwar period. He was to them what Shakespeare was to the Elizabethan Age.” — actor Ben Stein, who appeared in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.”
“He changed my life forever. Nineteen years later, people from all over the world contact me telling me how much ‘Home Alone’ meant to them, their families, and their children.” — actor Devin Ratray, who played Culkin’s older brother Buzz McCallister in the “Home Alone” series.
“John was an amazing mentor to me during the time we were shooting ‘Curly Sue.’ He had a childlike spirit that connected us instantly and always made me feel loved. He will be missed but his work speaks for itself and will live in his honor.” — actress Alisan Porter, who starred in Hughes’ last film, 1991’s “Curly Sue.”
“His films helped establish an international notion of ordinary American teenagers, and he was as popular abroad as at home. Once when I was visiting the largest movie theater in Calcutta, I asked if ‘Star Wars’ had been their most successful American film. No, I was told, it was ‘Baby’s Day Out,’ a Hughes comedy about a baby wandering through a big city, which played for more than a year.” — movie critic Roger Ebert.
“I will always cherish the time I spent with John Hughes. I was so grateful for the opportunity to walk around in his shoes and try to see the world through through his brilliant eyes. Sharing his films with my kids over the years I can see the timelessness of his work.” — Kevin Bacon, who appeared in “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.”
