Director John Hughes, known for such iconic films as Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, died on Thursday of an apparent heart attack at the age of 59. The movies of John Hughes helped launch the careers of major Hollywood stars like Sean Penn, Matthew Broderick and Steve Carell, among many others.
“John Hughes’s iconic films gave a powerful voice to a generation,” Demi Moore told People.com. “He will be missed but never forgotten.”
During his long and critically acclaimed career, John Hughes was most known for his 1980’s teenage angst films that captured the beat of a generation of young Americans. Hughes most famous 80’s ‘brat pack’ films include Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Some of his other movies include Home Alone, Some Kind of Wonderful and Maid in Manhattan. Hughes last directed for 1991’s Curly Sue and spent much of the last decade withdrawn from public life.
“I am truly shocked and saddened by the news about my old friend John Hughes,†actor Matthew Broderick said, according to the Daily Mail. “He was a wonderful, very talented guy and my heart goes out to his family.â€
Molly Ringwald, who starred in several of Hughes’ most notable films, said she was “stunned and incredibly sad” at the news of the Hughes’ death. “He will be missed – by me and by everyone that he has touched,” she told People.com.
Hughes died on Thursday of an apparent heart attack while walking in Manhattan during a visit with relatives in New York. He is survived by his wife Nancy and sons James and John.