Deadly Addiction: John Candy Smoked 'A Pack A Day' Before Heart Attack Death At 43

Comedian John Candy died suddenly on a movie set in Durango, Mexico on March 4th, 1994 where he was filming what would become his final movie, Wagons East. He was just 43 at the time. While his cause of death was marked as a brutal heart attack, Dr. Michael Hunter, a renowned forensic pathologist, believes there were other aspects that contributed to the Hollywood star's untimely demise.

On REELZ's new docuseries, Autopsy: John Candy, Hunter studies the late star's autopsy report and reveals his findings.

"John was obese throughout his adult life, and I've discovered that John was prone to binge eating in response to professional setbacks," says Hunter in the docuseries.

He adds that in general, Candy's relationship with food "was unhealthy and potentially life-threatening."

Apart from his weight issues, Candy also had another dangerous habit: cigarettes.

"When I first met John he was already smoking," says a pal in the clip, adding that the actor was just 15 or 16 years old at the time. "I think he was smoking like a pack a day when he was 17 or 18. John never did give up the smokes."

"I think it's probable that John's addiction to smoking was a factor in his death. But John appears to have a history of use of another drug that is also known to have a damaging impact on the heart — and that's cocaine," adds Hunter.

Autopsy: John Candy airs Sunday, March 3 at 8 ET / PT on REELZ.

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