Bill Murray recently shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story about the late John Candy that perfectly captures both his comedic genius and his occasional disregard for theatrical convention.
The tale involves a legendary film director losing his patience during rehearsals for a star-studded stage play.
Murray opened up about their relationship in the new documentary John Candy: I Like Me, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds.
What he revealed offers a fascinating glimpse into Candy’s commitment to making every moment count—sometimes at the expense of everything else.
When Comedy Gold Becomes Theatrical Chaos
Murray recounted working with Candy on a stage reading written by Marilyn Suzanne Miller, a renowned Saturday Night Live writer, with none other than Sydney Pollack set to direct.
The production boasted an impressive roster of talent, including Murray, Candy, Ray Liotta, and Kevin Kline. Despite the professional caliber of everyone involved, Candy managed to turn a simple bathroom scene into an unforgettable—and endlessly long—comedic exercise.
Candy had a scene where he was in the bathroom, talking, and he milked it so bad. He milked it. The timing was beyond comprehension. You couldn’t believe it.
Murray watched as Pollack, the acclaimed director behind films like Tootsie, grew increasingly frustrated with Candy’s extended performance.
I’m watching it, I’m watching Sydney Pollack, who’s going out of his mind, because John is just milking it, milking it, milking it, just having his own kind of fun. I’m laughing because I know Sydney is going to kill him.
The Fine Line Between Brilliance and Irresponsibility
When an off-camera crew member suggested Candy was “sucking” during the scene, Murray quickly corrected that mischaracterization.
What Candy was doing wasn’t bad—it was just gloriously selfish.
It wasn’t sucking, he was just milking. It wasn’t like it wasn’t funny, it was just that it was shamefully irresponsible to the idea that there might be another actor in the scene or in the whole play.
This anecdote reveals something essential about Candy’s approach to comedy. He possessed such an instinctive understanding of timing and audience engagement that he could get completely lost in making a moment perfect—even when that perfection disrupted everything around him.
Murray clearly found the whole situation amusing, understanding that Candy’s behavior came from a place of pure comedic passion rather than malicious scene-stealing.
Understanding Candy’s Professionalism and Kindness
Despite the playful critique, Murray emphasized Candy’s fundamental professionalism and extraordinary kindness.
As kind as John was to people that he was only going to be with for a minute, when you’re working, you have to be professional. You have to commit to doing the best you can.
Murray and Candy worked together on Ivan Reitman’s 1981 comedy Stripes, where their chemistry contributed to making that film a classic.
A More Vulnerable Side of John Candy
Murray also shared a more sensitive story from Stripes that highlighted Candy’s self-consciousness about his body.
During a mud wrestling scene featuring women in bikinis, Candy refused to remove his shirt. When filming began, some participants took physical liberties with him that crossed boundaries.
The women got into it. They were all fit. They started pulling his ears and stuff. People would take a little advantage because they’d think you could do what you want to hurt him. [They’d think that] he’s so big, I couldn’t possibly hurt him. He didn’t like that, he didn’t enjoy that. I understood that.
This portion of the documentary examines how media scrutiny affected Candy throughout his career, adding depth to our understanding of the beloved comedian’s private struggles.
Other Documentary Highlights
The film includes numerous other touching stories about Candy’s character both on and off camera.
Macaulay Culkin reflected on Candy’s paternal instincts during the filming of John Hughes’ 1989 movie Uncle Buck, describing how the comedian provided comfort and guidance to him as a child star.
These stories paint a comprehensive picture of someone who was simultaneously larger than life on screen and deeply human behind the scenes.
Candy’s Enduring Legacy
John Candy died in 1994 after establishing himself as one of comedy’s most beloved figures.
His ability to find humor in every moment—sometimes to excessive degrees—was part of what made him unforgettable. Murray’s stories remind us that great comedians don’t just deliver lines; they inhabit moments completely, transforming simple scenes into something extraordinary.
Even when that transformation drives award-winning directors absolutely mad.
John Candy: I Like Me is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offering fans a comprehensive look at the man behind countless memorable performances.