With the 34th anniversary of ‘Uncle Buck’s release fast approaching, it’s high time to check in on three key figures from the 1989 film: John Candy, Jean Louisa Kelly, and Amy Madigan.
John Candy (Buck Russell)
Before taking on his role as Buck, Candy was already making a name in projects like ‘Summer Rental,’ ‘The Great Outdoors,’ and the spoof classic ‘Spaceballs.’ ‘Uncle Buck,’ however, earned him a reputation in the cinematic world. Russel’s love for the Chicago Cubs and his iconic car, ‘The Beast,’ is still fondly remembered.
Candy was also seen in projects like ‘Cool Runnings,’ a film about an Olympic-themed island bobsledding team. In another classic, ‘Home Alone,’ Candy’s improvisation skills shone through, despite his limited screen time.
But Candy’s career was cut short. In 1994, at the age of 43, the actor passed away due to a heart attack. At the time, his net worth was estimated at $15 million. His last film, ‘Canadian Bacon,’ had been completed before his passing.
Jean Louisa Kelly (Tia Russell)
Beginning her cinematic journey with ‘Uncle Buck,’ Jean Louisa Kelly portrayed Tia, the teenager who eventually comes to understand and appreciate her Uncle Buck. At first, Winona Ryder was considered for the role, but she declined due to scheduling conflicts.
Post-‘Uncle Buck,’ Kelly transitioned to television in the late 1990s. Audiences saw her as Nurse Diane in ‘Mad About You’ and later as Kim Warner in the CBS family sitcom ‘Yes, Dear,’ from 2000 to 2006. Now at 51, Kelly appeared as Sarah Kazansky in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and had a role in the horror thriller ‘Malignant.‘
Amy Madigan (Chanice Kobolowski)
Amy Madigan played Buck’s girlfriend, Chanice, in ‘Uncle Buck.’ She made her Hollywood debut back in 1981. She had even lent her vocal talents to the band Jelly and graced the cover of Playboy in 1978. Her performance in ‘Twice in a Lifetime’ in 1985 garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Madigan received accolades for her role in the 1989 TV movie ‘Roe vs. Wade’ and was celebrated for her performance alongside Kevin Costner in ‘Field of Dreams.’
Even today, at 72, Madigan remains active in the entertainment world. She’s been seen in the 2020 TV series ‘Penny Dreadful: City of Angels‘ and the 2021 film ‘Antlers.‘ She has been married to actor Ed Harris for 40 years, and the pair have a daughter named Lily Harris.