Famed Director John Hughes Dead At 59
Aug. 6 2009, Published 5:45 a.m. ET
Cinematic icon John Hughes tragically passed away Thursday after suffering from a heart attack.
The director of such 1980's classics like The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off was in New York visiting family when his heart gave out.
Born in Ireland, Hughes moved to Illinois and often used his town of Northbrook and the surrounding North Shore area as shooting locations for his films. He began his career as an ad copywriter in Chicago before embarking on a comedy writing career which forayed into his film work. His directorial debut was none other than the hit Sixteen Candles.