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Aug 06, 2009 John Hughes By Mark Redfern

Thirty-something women (and men) across America might be shedding a tear or sighing in sadness today with the news that beloved ‘80s teen film writer and director John Hughes has passed away. Variety, the Associated Press, and others are reporting that the 59-year-old died of a heart attack today in Manhattan. He was visiting family there and taking a morning walk when he passed.

There are few women (and certainly some men too) who grew up in the ‘80s who didn’t love his teen movies, many of which starred Molly Ringwald—an actress who young girls seemed to really indentify with. Hughes was behind such ‘80s teen movie classics as Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), Weird Science (1985), and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)—all of which he wrote and directed—and Pretty in Pink (1986) and Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)—both of which he wrote, but didn’t direct. Many of these films featured iconic soundtracks that included such bands as Simple Minds, The Jesus and Mary Chain, New Order, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Psychedelic Furs, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Specials, David Bowie, Oingo Boingo, Killing Joke, and others.

Later in the ‘80s, Hughes moved on to write and direct more adult comedies, such as Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), She’s Having a Baby (1988), and Uncle Buck (1989). Hughes’ last film as a director was 1991’s Curly Sue, but he did continue writing, more recently under the pseudonym Edmond Dantès. Hughes also wrote such notable films as National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and Home Alone (1990). But his legacy is firmly defined by his classic teen movies.

Hughes is survived by Nancy, his wife of 39 years, and his two sons, John and James, as well as four grandchildren.