’80s film icon John Hughes dies

"The Breakfast Club." "Sixteen Candles." "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Writer and director John Hughes was known best for creating films that connected with young people and defined popular culture in the 1980s.

Hughes' reputation faded in the 1990s and he remained a private figure, penning many scripts under the name 'Edmond Dantès.' He assisted most recently on the scripts for "Drillbit Taylor," "Beethoven's 5th" and "Maid in Manhattan."

According to the Associated Press, Hughes died of a heart attack while on a walk this morning in Manhattan. He was 59.

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