Director John Hughes dies aged 59 years old

Published: Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:58:38

Beloved filmmaker John Hughes has died at the age of 59, his spokeswoman has confirmed. The director collapsed during a morning walk in Manhattan, New York City, where he was visiting family members, according to Michelle Bega. Hughes was renowned for 80s classics such as The Breakfast Club, and was at the forefront of the 'Brat Pack' series of films.

Hughes, who lived in Illinois, and set many of his films in the Chicago area, also directed the hugely successful Home Alone and the hedonistic favourite Ferris Bueller's Day Off. He last directed a film in 1991, going behind the camera for Curly Sue, but produced two Home Alone sequels, also writing on the fourth film in the franchise, and worked with Seth Rogen on the screenplay for Drillbit Taylor in 2008. Though he directed only eight films, Hughes utterly changed the landscape of romantic and teen comedies, with films such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science and Uncle Buck among his oeuvre.

Actor Macaulay Culkin, who shot to fame after starring in Home Alone in 1990, issued a statement expressing his shock at Hughes' passing. "I was a fan of both his work and a fan of him as a person," Culkin said. "The world has lost not only a quintessential filmmaker, whose influence will be felt for generations, but a great and decent man."

Ferris Bueller's Day Off star Matthew Broderick commented: "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."

Molly Ringwald, who worked with Hughes on The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink, said she was "stunned and incredibly sad" to learn of Hhughes' death. "He was and will always be such an important part of my life," she added. "He will be missed – by me and by everyone that he has touched. My heart and all my thoughts are with his family now."

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