Biography

Released in 1984, “Splash” is a landmark romantic comedy that marked several important milestones in Hollywood. Directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer, the film stars Tom Hanks as Allen Bauer, a New Yorker whose life is turned upside down when he falls in love with Madison, a mysterious woman revealed to be a mermaid, played enchantingly by Daryl Hannah. John Candy, as Allen’s fun-loving brother Freddie, and Eugene Levy, as the determined scientist Dr. Kornbluth, round out the main cast in memorable fashion.

The story begins when Allen, as a child, is saved from drowning by a young mermaid off Cape Cod. Years later, after a failed romance and feeling unfulfilled, he returns to the Cape, where he once again encounters the mermaid—now an adult. Madison follows him to New York, where the two fall in love, but complications arise as she struggles to adapt to human life and Allen must come to terms with her secret identity. The film skillfully blends farcical comedy with heartfelt romance and a dash of urban fantasy, raising questions about love, acceptance, and transformation.

“Splash” became a box-office hit, earning more than $69 million and receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Its clever script, endearing performances, and whimsical tone made it immediately popular with audiences and critics alike, and it’s now credited with launching Tom Hanks’ film career and signaling the start of Ron Howard’s renowned work as a director.

“Splash” also helped reinvigorate interest in romantic comedies tinged with fantasy, paving the way for films that dare to embrace the magical amidst the mundane. Decades later, its blend of sincerity and hilarity continues to resonate, buoyed by iconic moments—like John Candy’s unforgettable racquetball scene—that remind us of the unpredictable magic of the movies.

John Candy’s Hilarious Hangover: The Untold Story Behind “Splash’s” Racquetball Scene

In the annals of film comedy, the racquetball scene from “Splash” stands out for its slapstick brilliance—and, as it turns out, a dose of real-life chaos that even Hollywood couldn’t script. While audiences roared with laughter as John Candy’s Freddie Bauer clumsily took a racquetball to the face, few knew that Candy was performing under the staggering weight of a brutal hangover, the result of a raucous night spent with none other than Jack Nicholson.

A Night to (Barely) Remember

Producer Brian Grazer, who worked closely on “Splash,” has openly recounted the saga. The evening before filming the now-iconic scene, Candy and Nicholson embarked on a wild odyssey through Los Angeles, reportedly drinking and swapping stories until nearly 5a.m.

“John Candy had a lot of endurance, but the night with Nicholson, I think he overdid it. So he literally ran into the ball that hit him in the head,”
— Brian Grazer

This epic night of revelry would have left most people bedridden, but Candy was back on set, ready—if not entirely steady—for a day of filming.

Reality Meets Comedy on the Racquetball Court

The next morning, Candy shuffled onto the set, visibly worse for wear but still determined to deliver. The scene called for him to serve while holding a beer, only to be clobbered by a ricocheting racquetball. The moment could have been staged, but what audiences saw was, in fact, a genuine accident and a testament to Candy’s commitment. With reflexes dulled by exhaustion and hangover, he struck the ball—inadvertently sending it flying back into his own face. The pain was real, and so was the laughter from both cast and crew.

Grazer confirmed that the hit was not a special effect or a clever camera trick, but a true, one-take mishap:

“The minute he hit that ball, it hit him right in the head. He couldn’t get out of the way.”
— Brian Grazer

The director was prepared to shoot the scene in multiple takes, but Candy’s genuine reaction was so perfect it made the final cut.

“It was lucky it didn’t hit him in the eye!”
— Brian Grazer

Tom Hanks, Candy’s co-star, later reflected on the day:

“John just took the hit, and then he made it funnier. That was him—he turned a bad hangover into comedy gold.”
— Tom Hanks

Endurance and Professionalism

What makes this story legendary is Candy’s resilience and sense of humor. Even after a night that would have floored most, he powered through the scene, letting the ball hit him and collapsing for comedic effect. It wasn’t just professionalism—it was comedic genius and an embrace of chaos. His ability to channel that chaos into laughter is a significant part of what made him so beloved, both on and off the screen.

The story of that morning has taken on a life of its own among fans and film historians, highlighting the unpredictable magic that sometimes happens when real life unexpectedly collides with fiction on set.

The Spirit of John Candy

Candy was already a comedy icon by the time he filmed “Splash.” His reputation for hard partying was matched only by his warmth and generosity.

Grazer’s first meeting with him—during which Candy polished off 17 small rum and cokes—left an indelible impression:

“He just lit up and was fun, but never got sloppy. Just kept going. But that night with Nicholson, I think he overdid it.”
— Brian Grazer

Even in pain, Candy gave the scene everything he had, and the result solidified his place in the pantheon of great film comedians. Eugene Levy, who played Dr. Kornbluth, remembered:

“John was in rough shape that morning, but he made everyone laugh even harder. He never complained, just kept going. That was his magic.”
— Eugene Levy

Legacy of Laughter

It’s bittersweet to recall that John Candy died in 1994 at just 43, but stories like these help preserve his legacy: a larger-than-life comedian whose best moments sometimes happened in spite of—or perhaps because of—the unpredictability and messiness of real life. That racquetball scene, and the hangover behind it, is a vivid reminder that sometimes the funniest moments in film are the most genuine.

Three Very Interesting Facts

• John Candy’s Racquetball Scene Was Real: John Candy was actually hung over during the racquetball scene and accidentally hit himself in the face with the racquetball, making the reaction genuine.
• Daryl Hannah Performed Her Own Underwater Scenes: She was an experienced scuba diver, and the mermaid tail she wore weighed about 35 pounds, made of plexiglass and latex.
• Splash Launched Tom Hanks’ Film Career: Before Splash, Hanks was relatively unknown. The film’s success helped establish him as a leading man in Hollywood.