John Wayne

Actor

About

Also Known As

Marion Robert Morrison, Duke Morrison

Birth Place

Winterset, Iowa, USA

Born

May 26, 1907

Died

June 11, 1979

Biography

Filmography

The Green Berets (1968)

Director

The Alamo (1960)

Director

30, Still Single: Contemplating Suicide (1998)

Going Hollywood: The War Years (1988)

Photos & Videos

View All

Horse Soldiers, The (1959) -- (Movie Clip) Sense of Justice

Horse Soldiers, The (1959) -- (Movie Clip) Quite Enough of Both

Family & Companions

Josephine Saenz

Wife

Married in 1932; divorced in 1944; daughter of Panamanian diplomat.

Esperanza Bauer

Wife

Actor. Married in 1946; divorced in 1953.

Pilar Palette

Wife

Actor. Married in 1954; daughter of a Peruvian senator; after five years of marriage, the stresses of motherhood and Hollywood social life drove her to attempted suicide; lived apart amicably 1973-79.

Pat Stacey

Companion

Secretary. Longtime assistant/mistress of Wayne's; wrote book, "Duke: A Love Story"; died 1995 of lung cancer.

Bibliography

"John Wayne: The Politics of Celebrity"

Gary Wills, Faber and Faber (1997)

"John Wayne: American"

Randy Roberts and James S. Olson, Free Press (1995)

"John Wayne, My Father"

Alissa Wayne, Random House (1992)

"John Wayne: Actor, Artist, Hero"

Richard D. McGhee, McFarland (1990)

Notes

Received the Congressional Medal created in his honor.

Biography

John Wayne, one of the cinema's greatest stars, is also one of the cinema's greatest problems. His image as an icon of American individualism and the frontier spirit has overshadowed his career to such an extent that it is almost impossible for viewers and writers to separate Wayne the legend from Wayne the actor and Wayne the man.As Marion Michael Morrison, he played football for USC and held several behind-the-scenes jobs at Fox before moving in front of the cameras in the late 1920s in a series of bit roles. Director John Ford, who had befriended "Duke" Wayne, recommended him for the lead in Raoul Walsh's 1930 western epic, "The Big Trail." But stardom did not materialize and Wayne spent the rest of the decade slogging through a series of low-budget oaters whose meager budgets and rapid shooting schedules did little to sharpen his acting skills. Still, even in the unsophisticated world of the Poverty Row studios, his easygoing authority and physical presence could command attention.John Ford gave Wayne another career break in 1939 by casting him as the Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach," thus rescuing the actor from a life in serials and cheap action pictures. The role propelled Wayne into the top ranks of box-office stars and during the 1940s his legend began to take shape. Excused from military service because of physical ailments, Wayne became the film industry's exemplar of the hard-bitten, decisive soldier who could be compassionate when necessary. Wartime releases such as "Flying Tigers" (1942), "The Fighting Seabees" (1944) and "Back to Bataan" (1945) placed Wayne squarely in the larger-than-life, heroic mold.But it was the movies he made at the end of the decade that established him as an actor of merit, something more than just a star of tremendous stature. Howard Hawks emphasized the willful side of Wayne's screen persona, taking it to extremes in "Red River" (1948). As the inflexible Tom Dunson, Wayne was able to eschew mock heroics and concentrate on the psychology of a man obsessed. Giving an uncompromisingly hard-edged performance, Wayne created a difficult, unlikable, yet compelling character. Two other John Ford films from the period gave Wayne the opportunity for greater depth--"Fort Apache" (1948) and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949)--the latter a particularly moving portrait of a man and an era reaching a turning point.For most of the 1950s and 60s Wayne ambled through a number of mediocre pictures, standard westerns and action movies made watchable, and financially successful, because of his participation. When the script was poor and the role ill-considered, the results could be disastrous: witness "The Conqueror" (1956), which featured the unfortunate Duke as Genghis Khan. But with a carefully tailored part and a director at the top of his form, Wayne always rose to the occasion--"Rio Bravo" (1959) for Hawks, and "The Searchers" (1956) and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) for Ford. "The Searchers," now considered by many to be Ford's greatest picture, also features Wayne's best performance, perhaps because in the driven character of Ethan Edwards viewers can negotiate their private terms with Wayne the man, super-patriot and defender of the conservative faith. Ethan is a grotesque figure, the essence of patriarchy, a victim of his personal prejudices and blinded by an extremist code. But at the same time his skill and tenacity are admirable. Finally, one must feel compassion for him, realizing that he will never be integrated into the mainstream, will never be thought of in terms of human scale. Understanding the character of Ethan helps demystify Wayne the icon.Although he won the 1969 Best Actor Oscar for "True Grit," a light-hearted if not particularly impressive performance, Wayne's best role in his last decade on screen was also his last. In "The Shootist" (1976) he played a dying gunman who is just beginning to understand his own life and legend. It was the perfect elegy for Wayne, who was himself dying of cancer, and a role which he invested with a touching simplicity and directness--the hallmarks of both his acting career and personal popularity.sonal popularity.

Filmography

Life Events

1927

First film appearance (uncredited as member of USC football team) in "The Drop Kick"

1928

First credited bit appearance (as Duke Morrison) in "Words and Music"

1930

First lead role in "The Big Trail"

1930

Played lead in numerous minor films (mostly westerns)

1939

Became major star after playing the Ringo Kid in John Ford's "Stagecoach"

1947

First film as producer (also actor), "Angel and the Badman"

1952

Formed Batjac Film Production Co

1960

Directing debut (also actor), "The Alamo"

1963

Operation to remove cancerous lung

1978

Open heart surgery

1979

Stomach removed

Photo Collections

They Were Expendable - Behind-the-Scenes Photos - John Ford

Here are several behind-the-scenes photos of John Ford directing the wartime drama They Were Expendable (1945), starring John Wayne, Robert Montgomery, and Donna Reed.

The Cowboys - Movie Posters

The Conqueror - Movie Posters

Arizona - Publicity Still

Arizona - Movie Poster

Arizona - Lobby Card Set

The Long Gray Line - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Reap the Wild Wind - Movie Posters

The Green Berets - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for The Green Berets (1968), co-directed by and starring John Wayne. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Flying Leathernecks - Movie Posters

Here are a few original release American movie posters for RKO's Flying Leathernecks (1951), starring John Wayne and Robert Ryan.

Tall in the Saddle - Publicity Stills

Here are a few Publicity Stills taken for RKO's Tall in the Saddle (1944), starring John Wayne and Ella Raines. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon - Movie Posters

Here are a few original-release American movie posters for She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), starring John Wayne.

Fort Apache - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Fort Apache (1948). One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Fort Apache - Publicity Stills

Here are a number of publicity stills from Fort Apache (1948). Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

How the West Was Won - Program Book

Here is the souvenir Program Book sold at Roadshow engagements for the 1962 epic in Cinerama, How the West Was Won.

3 Godfathers - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for 3 Godfathers (1949), starring John Wayne. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Trouble Along the Way - Movie Posters

Here are a few original movie posters from Warner Bros' Trouble Along the Way (1953), starring John Wayne and Donna Reed.

Rio Bravo - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Rio Bravo (1959), directed by Howard Hawks. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Movie Posters

Here is a variety of original-release American movie posters from John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), starring John Wayne and James Stewart.

The Wings of Eagles - Movie Poster

Here is the original Half-sheet movie poster for The Wings of Eagles (1957), starring John Wayne.

The Quiet Man - Movie Posters

Here are a few original American movie posters from John Fords's The Quiet Man (1952), starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

True Grit - Lobby Cards

Here are a few Lobby Cards from Paramount's True Grit (1969), starring John Wayne. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Back to Bataan - Publicity Stills

Here are a few photos taken to help publicize Back to Bataan (1945), starring John Wayne and Anthony Quinn. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Cast a Giant Shadow - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), featuring an all-star cast. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Back to Bataan - Movie Posters

Here are a few original release American movie posters from RKO's Back to Bataan (1945), starring John Wayne.

The High and the Mighty - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for The High and the Mighty (1954). One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Videos

Horse Soldiers, The (1959) -- (Movie Clip) Sense of Justice Showcase for Confederate deserters (Denver Pyle and Strother Martin) whom Colonel Marlowe (John Wayne) uses and abuses, impressing Miss Hannah (Constance Towers) and Kendall (William Holden) in John Ford's The Horse Soldiers, 1959.

Horse Soldiers, The (1959) -- (Movie Clip) Quite Enough of Both Southerner Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers) entertains Union officers Marlowe (John Wayne), Secord (Willis Bouchey), Gray (William Leslie) and Kendall (William Holden) in John Ford's The Horse Soldiers, 1959.

Searchers, The (1956) -- (Movie Clip) Let's Go Home Significant SPOILER here in a landmark picture, Natalie Wood as the mature Debbie is rescued from five years captivity by her adoptive brother Marty (Jeffrey Hunter) from the Comanche chief Scar (Henry Brandon), as his partner Ethan (John Wayne), leading an attack with Rev. Clayton (Ward Bond), appears determined to execute her, in John Ford’s The Searchers, 1956.

Searchers, The (1956) -- (Movie Clip) We've Seen Scalps Before Big reveal here as Mexican trader Figueroa (Antonio Moreno) leads the title characters (John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter as Ethan and Martin) to meet Comanche chief Scar (Henry Brandon), who is suspected of holding kidnapped Debbie (who’s grown up to be Natalie Wood), and who brandishes a medal long ago given to the girl, in John Ford’s celebrated Western The Searchers, 1956.

3 Godfathers (1948) -- (Movie Clip) Opening, Dedication Opening sequence to John Ford's 3 Godfathers, 1949, starring John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz and Harry Carey Jr., with a famous dedication to Ford's friend Harry Carey.

3 Godfathers (1948) -- (Movie Clip) By The Way Of New Jerusalem We’ve just met Hightower, Fuerte and Kearny (John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz, Harry Carey Jr.) and heard of their plan to rob the bank in an Arizona town, and they ride in for a funny (if grossly sexist) visit with Ward Bond and Mae Marsh as the Sweets, early in John Ford’s sentimental re-make, 3 Godfathers, 1948.

Sea Chase, The (1955) -- (Movie Clip) Ehrlich Was Like A Fox David Farrar narrates as British naval officer Napier, pursuing John Wayne, as the conflicted Captain Ehrlich of the German steamer Ergenstrasse, trying to avoid capture in the South Pacific in the early days of WWII, as his Nazi spy passenger Elsa (Lana Turner) is approached by his sneaky officer Kirchner (Lyle Bettger), in The Sea Chase, 1955.

Sea Chase, The (1955) -- (Movie Clip) Against The New Regime Days before their countries are expected to go to war, British officer Napier (David Farrar) brings his German fiancee' Elsa (Lana Turner) to meet his old family friend, also-German Captain Ehrlich (John Wayne), a former naval officer who refused to become a Nazi, on his freighter docked at Sydney, in The Sea Chase, 1955.

Sea Chase, The (1955) -- (Movie Clip) Muster All Hands Departing Sydney, Australia, just after the declaration of WWII, anti-Nazi German freighter captain Ehrlich (John Wayne) instructs his crew on avoiding British patrols, then tells Elsa (Lana Turner), an old acquaintance and Nazi spy whom he's been ordered to transport, to stay out of sight, in The Sea Chase, 1955.

Sea Chase, The (1953) -- (Movie Clip) No Daydreaming Moored off a South Pacific island to collect wood to fuel their way to Chile, German steamer officers Kirchner and Schmidt (Lyle Bettger, John Qualen) are interrupted by captain Ehrlich (John Wayne), who has special instructions regarding their sexy spy passenger (Lana Turner), who is in turn impressed by his consideration for old soldier Schmidt (Paul Fix), in The Sea Chase, 1955.

McQ (1974) -- (Movie Clip) Kept Him Off The Street Seattle cop John Wayne (title character) wants his captain (Eddie Albert) to let him go after the drug dealer he thinks shot his partner, which of course he won’t allow, so Duke goes ahead and surveils the guy, Santiago (Al Lettieri), anyway, early in director John Sturges’ McQ, 1974.

High And The Mighty, The (1954) -- (Movie Clip) Whistlin' Dan After the aerial credit sequence, the first order of business for director William A. Wellman, introducing his producing-partner and star John Wayne, as co-pilot Dan Roman, who meets mechanic Sneed (George Chandler), via the script from Ernest K. Gann, and the same team that made the hit Island In The Sky the previous year, in The High And The Mighty, 1954.

Quiet Man, The - (Original Trailer) John Wayne is an Irish-born ex-boxer who retires to Ireland and searches for the proper wife in John Ford's The Quiet Man (1952).

Red River - (Re-issue Trailer) A young cowhand rebels against his rancher stepfather during a perilous cattle drive in Red River (1948), directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Montgomery Clift and Joanne Dru.

Chisum (1970) -- (Original Trailer) The star is just about the only emphasis in the original trailer for director Andrew V. McLaglen’s 1970 John Wayne Western, Chisum.

Fighting Kentuckian, The - (Re-issue Trailer) John Wayne and a Laurel-less Oliver Hardy battle landgrabbers in the American Frontier in The Fighting Kentuckian (1950).

El Dorado -- (Original Trailer) John Wayne and Robert Mitchum take on a corrupt cattle baron in Howard Hawks' El Dorado (1967).

Big Stampede, The - (Original Trailer) John Wayne and his horse Duke are sent by the Governor to stop rustlers in The Big Stampede (1932).

Big Jim McLain - (Original Trailer) An investigator (John Wayne) for the House Un-American Activities Committee takes on Communists in Hawaii in Big Jim McLain (1952).

Sea Chase, The - (Original Trailer) A German freighter captain (John Wayne) tries to elude the British in the early days of World War II in The Sea Chase (1955).

Greatest Story Ever Told, The - (Original Trailer) The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) is an epic re-telling of the life of Christ, directed by George Stevens and starring Max Von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Claude Rains and many more

Trouble Along the Way - (Original Trailer) A famous football coach (John Wayne) uses underhanded means to turn a bankrupt college's team into winners in Trouble Along the Way (1953).

Searchers, The - (Original Trailer) An Indian-hating Civil War veteran tracks down the tribe that slaughtered his family and kidnapped his niece in director John Ford's masterpiece, The Searchers, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter and Natalie Wood.

Cahill, United States Marshal - (Original Trailer) John Wayne stars as a tough lawman who has to bring in his own sons for train robbery in Cahill, U.S. Marshall (1973).

Family

Clyde Morrison

Father

Pharmacist.

Mary Brown

Mother

Robert Morrison

Brother

Producer.

Michael Wayne

Son

Producer. Born on November 23, 1934; owned production company; produced father's last films; died on April 2, 2003 of heart failure and complications from lupus.

Mary Antonia Morrison

Daughter

Born on February 25, 1936.

Patrick Wayne

Son

Actor. Born on July 15, 1939.

Melinda Ann Morrison

Daughter

Born on December 3, 1940.

Aissa Wayne

Daughter

Born on March 31, 1956; mother Pilar Palette.

Ethan Wayne

Son

Actor. Born on February 22, 1962; mother, Pilar Palette; appeared on the CBS soap "The Bold and the Beautiful".

Marisa C Wayne

Daughter

Born on February 22, 1966; mother, Pilar Palette.

Companions

Josephine Saenz

Wife

Married in 1932; divorced in 1944; daughter of Panamanian diplomat.

Esperanza Bauer

Wife

Actor. Married in 1946; divorced in 1953.

Pilar Palette

Wife

Pat Stacey

Companion

Secretary. Longtime assistant/mistress of Wayne's; wrote book, "Duke: A Love Story"; died 1995 of lung cancer.

Bibliography

"John Wayne: The Politics of Celebrity"

Gary Wills, Faber and Faber (1997)

"John Wayne: American"

Randy Roberts and James S. Olson, Free Press (1995)

"John Wayne, My Father"

Alissa Wayne, Random House (1992)

"John Wayne: Actor, Artist, Hero"

Richard D. McGhee, McFarland (1990)

"Duke"

Mike Tomkin (1971)

"John Wayne: A Novel"

Dan Barden

Notes

Received the Congressional Medal created in his honor.

About

Biography

Filmography

Photos & Videos

Family & Companions

Bibliography

Notes

Biography

Filmography

Director (Feature Film)

Cast (Feature Film)

Producer (Feature Film)

Costume-Wardrobe (Feature Film)

Production Companies (Feature Film)

Misc. Crew (Feature Film)

Cast (Special)

Misc. Crew (Short)

Life Events

1927

1928

1930

1930

1939

1947

1952

1960

1963

1978

1979

Photo Collections

Videos

Movie Clip

Trailer

Family

Companions

Bibliography

Notes

TCM Emails