Director John Hughes Dead at 59

John Hughes, the director who made his name cataloging teen angst of the 1980s, died of a heart attack today at 59. Hughes created such films as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, and Sixteen Candles, making stars of the so-called Brat Pack of Molly Ringwald and crew. He also made Planes Trains and Automobiles before writing and producing the Home Alone series.

The heart attack struck while Hughes was taking a walk this morning in Manhattan, where he was visiting family. He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Nancy, two sons, and four grandchildren. Hughes had largely distanced himself in recent years from Hollywood to focus on his family, notes the Los Angeles Times.
(More John Hughes stories.)