John Candy filmed a memorable scene in the 1984 film 'Splash' on very little sleep, as revealed by longtime Hollywood producer Brian Grazer. Grazer shared anecdotes of Candy, who passed away at age 43 in 1994, during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. Grazer confirmed that Candy was indeed hungover during the racquetball scene in the movie, having stayed out late with Jack Nicholson the night before.
Grazer mentioned Candy's endurance, noting that despite his late night, Candy showed up to work and even got hit in the head by a racquetball during filming. The producer recalled that Candy's interaction with Nicholson led to him being late and hungover on set, but Candy managed to deliver a professional performance.
In 'Splash,' Candy starred alongside Tom Hanks as his on-screen brother, Freddie. The film, a romantic comedy with fantasy elements, was released on March 9, 1984, and became the 11th highest-grossing movie of the year in the domestic box office. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 57th Oscars.
Grazer also shared a story of Candy drinking 17 small rum and cokes during a meeting to discuss his involvement in the movie. Despite the drinks, Candy remained lively and engaging, showcasing his professionalism and charm.
The tale of Candy's late arrival and hungover state on the set of 'Splash' has been a topic of discussion for some time. Various cast and crew members, including Grazer, Hanks, Hannah, Levy, and director Ron Howard, have recounted the incident, highlighting Candy's dedication to his craft despite the circumstances.
Howard recalled Candy's apology for being late and intoxicated, attributing it to an encounter with Nicholson at a bar. Candy shared that Nicholson bought him drinks and encouraged him to go ahead with shooting, leading to his inebriated state on set. Despite the challenges, Candy managed to deliver a successful scene, impressing his colleagues with his professionalism.
