Picture this: A beloved comedic titan arrives on a movie set, bleary-eyed and buzzing from an epic night of revelry with one of Hollywood's most enigmatic stars. But instead of flopping, he channels that hangover into pure cinematic magic. Intriguing, right? Let's dive into the behind-the-scenes story from the documentary John Candy: I Like Me, where Tom Hanks spills the beans on his late costar John Candy's unforgettable experience before filming a key scene in the 1984 romantic comedy Splash.
In this heartfelt tribute, which had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting October 10, Hanks reminisces about working with director Ron Howard on the film. He fondly recalls how improvising with Candy felt like a collaborative boost to his own performance style—always additive and welcoming, you might say. But here's where it gets controversial: On the day of the infamous racquetball scene (where Candy's character gets comically whacked in the head with a ball, adding a hilarious physical gag to the underwater romance), things took an unexpected turn thanks to a boozy encounter.
'John walks in looking completely drained,' Hanks shares in the documentary with a chuckle, recounting the memory vividly. 'He'd been out partying the night before, and guess who showed up? Jack Nicholson himself. They might've just met then and there, but they certainly hit it off over drinks.' Candy's son, Christopher, jumps in with a relatable quip: 'If Jack Nicholson invited me for a night of drinks and kept me up till dawn? I'd jump at the chance!' Hanks explains that his friend stumbled onto set after maybe only ninety minutes of shut-eye, still riding the high—or low—of that legendary evening. And this is the part most people miss: Rather than letting fatigue derail the shoot, Candy cleverly wove it into his acting, making the scene's physical demands even funnier as everyone else cracked up while he leaned into that tiredness to enhance the brotherly dynamic with Hanks' character.
To give you a bit more context for newcomers to the film, Splash blends fantasy and romance when Hanks plays a man who falls for a mermaid (Darryl Hannah), and the racquetball bit is a slapstick highlight where Candy's character gets bonked on the head—perfect for illustrating how real-life mishaps can inspire on-screen comedy. Vintage clips from the documentary show Candy himself joking about the gag during promotion, grinning as he admits, 'You won't believe it, but we nailed it in just three takes!' It's a testament to his raw talent and professionalism, even on rough days.
Of course, this anecdote raises eyebrows about the glamorous yet gritty side of Tinseltown life. Was this just harmless fun that fueled creativity, or does it highlight the potential pitfalls of celebrity excess? Candy, who later charmed audiences in films like Planes, Trains & Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck, sadly passed away from a heart attack in 1994 at the young age of 43. It's a reminder of how even the brightest stars can face health challenges amidst the spotlight. But the documentary doesn't dwell on the tragedy; instead, it celebrates Candy's vibrant legacy through touching interviews with his wife, daughter, and son Christopher, plus tributes from fellow icons like Macaulay Culkin, Bill Murray, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and even director Mel Brooks from Spaceballs.
So, what do you think? Does a touch of real-life recklessness make for better art, or is it a dangerous double-edged sword in an industry known for indulgence? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree that exhaustion can spark genius, or disagree and say it's time Hollywood cleans up its act? Let's chat!
