John Wayne

John Wayne birthplace

The Big Trail (publicity photo - Wayne & Churchill)

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The Big Trail lobby card (5)

Girls Demand Excitement lobby card

His Private Secretary (1933) still 1

John Wayne (born Marion Robert Morrison; May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979) was an American actor, director, and producer. He became one of the leading figures in 20th-century American film, known for his roles in Westerns and war movies. Wayne's career spanned over 50 years and he appeared in more than 150 films. His rugged masculinity and distinctive voice made him an iconic figure in American cinema and he remains a popular actor to this day.

Early Life

John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa, but his family moved to Southern California when he was young. He attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a football scholarship but an injury ended his athletic career, leading him to seek work in the film industry. Wayne started working in the film industry by doing odd jobs at local film studios, where he eventually got small roles.

Career

Wayne's first leading role came in the 1930 film The Big Trail, but it was not a success. It wasn't until 1939, with his role in Stagecoach, directed by John Ford, that Wayne became a mainstream star. The film was a huge success and established Wayne as a leading man in Hollywood. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Wayne starred in numerous films, many of them Westerns and war movies, including Red River (1948), Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination, and The Quiet Man (1952), among others.

In the 1960s, Wayne's roles in The Alamo (1960), which he also directed, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) were critically acclaimed. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in True Grit (1969). Wayne's last significant film role was in The Shootist (1976), where he played an aging gunfighter battling cancer. This role was seen as reflective of Wayne's own health struggles, as he was battling cancer at the time.

Personal Life

John Wayne was married three times and had seven children. He was known for his conservative political views and was a vocal supporter of the American military. Wayne's outspoken support for the anti-communist movement in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s was controversial.

Death and Legacy

John Wayne died of stomach cancer on June 11, 1979, at the age of 72. He was buried in Pacific View Memorial Park Cemetery in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach. Wayne's legacy in American film is significant; he symbolizes rugged individualism and American values. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Wayne's influence extends beyond film; he has become an enduring symbol of American culture. His persona and films continue to be celebrated, and he is considered one of the greatest American actors of all time.