John Hughes is Dead!

One of our favorite directors John Hughes, the director and screenwriter who helped define a young generation with his ’80s films “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink,” has died, according to The Associated Press. Hughes died suddenly while taking a morning walk in New York City, according to a statement from his spokesman. His spokesman said Hughes had been in Manhattan to visit family and friends.

Actor Matthew Broderick worked with Hughes in 1986 when he played the title character in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “I am truly shocked and saddened by the news about my old friend John Hughes. He was a wonderful, very talented guy and my heart goes out to his family,” Broderick said.

Not only was Hughes the creative inspiration behind a series of teen-oriented films throughout the 1980s, he also wrote and produced all three Home Alone movies which made Macaulay Culkin a star. In the last decade, Hughes had largely turned his back on Hollywood to run a farm in northern Illinois.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy, two sons and four grandchildren.

Mr. Hughes first began as a screenwriter, gaining notoriety for his screenplay for “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” which became a popular franchise.

But his true success came with his directorial debut, “Sixteen Candles,” which made a star out of its young lead, Molly Ringwald. She went on to become the “teen queen” of the ’80s, appearing also in Mr. Hughes’s films “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.”

Mr. Hughes also wrote and directed “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” a comedy starring Matthew Broderick, about a high school student who calls in sick and heads out on a day of adventures with his best friend and girlfriend. The film helped to solidify the star power of its lead, Matthew Broderick.