**John Candy’s Quiet Heroism on the Set of *Planes, Trains and Automobiles***
While *Planes, Trains and Automobiles* remains a beloved holiday classic, what many fans don’t know is how John Candy’s warmth and generosity behind the scenes helped shape the spirit of the film just as much as his performance onscreen. In a 1987 recollection, Steve Martin shared how Candy’s quiet kindness left a lasting impact on everyone involved in the shoot.
Filming took place during a harsh Midwest winter, with brutal conditions in rural Illinois: icy winds, heavy snow, and exhausting 14-hour days tested the patience and endurance of cast and crew alike. As Martin recalled, “It was the kind of cold that gets into your bones. You’re tired, you’re wet, and you just want to get inside.”
Most actors, understandably, retreated to their heated trailers between takes. But not Candy. Instead, he stayed outside, bundled up in layers, chatting and laughing with crew members, lifting spirits during even the most grueling shoots. What truly stood out to Martin—and many others—was Candy’s thoughtful gesture of arranging fresh coffee for the entire team. After realizing that the only available brew was the weak, lukewarm batch from the catering truck, Candy took it upon himself to bring in thermoses of strong, hot coffee every morning.
“He didn’t do it for attention,” Martin said. “He just wanted to make people feel better.”
Candy’s warmth extended beyond simple gestures—it created a sense of camaraderie that infused the entire production. In an environment where stress and fatigue could easily take over, his generosity became a grounding force.
Decades later, it’s not just his iconic role as Del Griffith that endures—it’s the memory of a man who, despite the cold, chose to bring warmth to everyone
around him.
