The Toronto venue where John Candy got his start is paying homage to the late Canadian comedy star with a new theatre.

The Newmarket, Ont. native started his career on "Second City Television" ("SCTV"), a sketch comedy offshoot from a troupe that performed at the downtown Toronto comedy theatre Second City. On Thursday, Second City honoured Candy at the official opening of the 60-seat John Candy Box Theatre. The new theatre will play host to the next generation of comedians, acting as a training centre for budding jokers.

"It was a whirlwind of emotions," Candy's daughter Jennifer told CTV's Canada AM of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"It was nice because it was in Toronto, and that was where he's from. That was home."

After getting his start in Canada's largest city, Candy went on to star in comedy films including "Stripes," "Cool Runnings" and "Uncle Buck." He died while filming a parody movie in Mexico in 1994, at the age of 43.

Jennifer said that despite the comedian's outgoing on-camera personality, he was much more subdued at home. Though some of his true personality shone through characters he played, "he was a quiet person at home," she said.

"He was still lovable and fun, but people always ask, 'Was he always on?' He was a normal dad," she said.

"At the end of the day, you do have to wind down a bit. He liked to wind down - just relax and watch movies and hang out with friends. He was just a very down-to-earth person."