John Wayne

“All the screen cowboys behaved like real gentlemen. They didn't drink, they didn't smoke. When they knocked the bad guy down, they always stood with their fists up, waiting for the heavy to get back on his feet. I decided I was going to drag the bad guy to his feet and keep hitting him.” John Wayne, born Marion Morrison, was a major American actor who embodied the archetypal strong cowboy and soldier, symbolizing idealized American values. He gained the nickname “Duke” and began his film career in the late 1920s after befriending director John Ford. Wayne's breakthrough role came in Stagecoach (1939), establishing him as a leading star. During World War II, though he was unable to serve in combat due to age and injury, he entertained troops and starred in films portraying quintessential American heroes. His collaborations with Ford defined his career, particularly in the "Cavalry Trilogy" (Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande), which presented a complex view of patriotism and the Old West. Wayne's role in The Searchers (1956) is notable for exploring obsessive behavior and racism. He also worked with Howard Hawks, producing classics like Red River (1948) and Rio Bravo (1959). Other significant films include Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), The Alamo (1960), and True Grit (1969), for which he won an Academy Award. Wayne's final film, The Shootist (1976), served as a poignant farewell before his death from cancer. Despite criticism regarding his versatility and controversial political views, Wayne remains a towering figure in cinema, receiving posthumous honors including the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.