Director John Hughes dies at 59 (Variety)

John Hughes, prolific director of culturally significant films such as "The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off," "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" and "Home Alone," died suddenly today of a heart attack while taking a morning walk during a trip to Manhattan. He was 59.

John Wilden Hughes, Jr., born on February 18th, 1950 in Michigan, began as an advertising copywriter in Chicago.

In the last decade, he stepped back from the legacy he created to enjoy time with his family, maintain a functioning farm in northern Illinois and support independent arts. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy, two sons, John and James, and four grandchildren.