John Wayne was one of the most iconic actors of the 20th century. His on-screen persona as the rugged cowboy who exhibited American values had fans devouring his movies. Wayne’s acting has continuously painted him as the epitome of The West in America. Yet, Wayne starred in more than just Westerns.
Although he passed almost 45 years ago, Wayne’s popularity remains strong today. Not only did he star as the leading man in upwards of 100 movies, but he was also a true patriot. However, there are some tidbits about this iconic man that you may not even know. Read below for 20 facts about John Wayne you may not have ever heard.
To create a list of 20 things you never knew about John Wayne, 24/7 Tempo consulted multiple outlets, including the official John Wayne website and biographies. Whether it’s Wayne’s childhood nickname or the question of whether he was actually a spy, there may be something on this list you did not know. (Take a look at his best and worst movies that were not Westerns.)
His Birth Name Was Marion Robert Morrison
American actor John Wayne (1907 - 1979), circa 1950. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
John Wayne was actually his screen name. His birth name was Marion Robert Morrison, and he was born on May 30, 1907. Wayne went by his nickname, Duke Morrison, during his early acting years.
It wasn’t until he starred in “The Big Trail” that he started using the screen name.
He Weighed 13 Pounds When He Was Born
Wayne was born to Clyde and Mary Morrison and was the oldest of two children. On average, babies weigh between five and eight pounds when they are born. However, at birth, Wayne weighed almost double, reaching 13 pounds. Since it was the early 1900s, it makes you wonder how tiring and difficult his birth may have been.
His Mom Gave Away His Middle Name
In the book “John Wayne: The Life and Legend,” by Scott Eyman, the author writes that Wayne and his mother did not have a close relationship.
Many people around them seemed to think Mary preferred spending time with her younger son and once claimed to a neighbor that she didn’t care about Wayne. The book also noted that when her second son was born, she “took” the middle name she initially gave to Wayne and gave it to her second son instead, giving Wayne the middle name Mitchell.
His Nickname was “Duke” as a Young Boy
During his long life, Wayne used the nickname “Duke.” While it makes sense to think that the name derived from some old Western nostalgia, the origin of his nickname has nothing to do with the Old West.
Wayne had an Airedale Terrier named Duke when he was a young boy. They were close, walking to school together every day. In town, a local fireman took a liking to Wayne and his dog. This fireman began calling the dog “Big Duke” and Wayne “Little Duke.” From there, the nickname stuck because Wayne liked it better than Marion.
When he starred in his first movie, Wayne went by the screen name Duke Morrison until it was eventually changed to John Wayne.
Wayne Went to College on a Football Scholarship
Wayne was very active in high school. He played on the Varsity football teams as a guard and wrote sports articles for the school newspaper.
Since he excelled in academia and football, Wayne earned a football scholarship to the University of Southern California. However, Wayne reportedly broke his collarbone during a bodysurfing accident, leading the college to remove the scholarship.
His Ex-Wife Tried to Shoot Him, Allegedly
1969: John Wayne, in his Oscar winning performance as Rooster Cogburn, in scene from the movie 'True Grit' directed by Henry Hathaway in 1969. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Wayne was married three times. His second wife, Esperanza Baur Diaz, was said to be his most challenging marriage. After his first marriage ended, Wayne married Baur in 1946. From the start, he stated that their marriage was riddled with drama.
The story goes that allegedly, one night, Baur was furious at Wayne and drunk. She had accused him of cheating with Gail Russel; however, Gail and Wayne both denied the allegations. So, what did Baur do? She shot at him when he walked into the house. The two divorced a few years later.
He Wasn’t a Fan of Clint Eastwood
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Actor Clint Eastwood looks on from the 18th hole during the 3M Celebrity Challenge prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 05, 2020 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
By the time Clint Eastwood arrived on the scene, Wayne was well into his acting persona in the Western genre.
In the 60s, his genre began to turn toward making spaghetti Westerns, which were made cheaply. Wayne was not a fan of these Westerns or Eastwood’s role in the grittiness the genre was taking. He believed that spaghetti Westerns negated the old romanticized view of Westerns.
Larry Cohen wanted Wanye and Eastwood to star together in “The Hostiles.” However, Wayne declined to star with Eastwood, noting that the film goes against what he believed a Western should be. He also wasn’t impressed with Eastwood’s debut in “High Plains Drifter.”
Wayne Began His Acting Career as a Prop Man
Interestingly, Wayne’s college football coach helped him find a job as a prop man in 1926. The movie director Wayne worked with was John Ford, who started to take a liking to Wayne.
Throughout the next several years, Wayne began starring as an extra in several of Ford’s movies. Finally, in 1930, he starred in “The Big Trail,” his first big film.
His First Film Was a Flop
The first time Wayne starred in a movie as the leading role, with his iconic screen name John Wayne, it flopped, by no fault of his own. “The Big Trail” simply aired at the wrong time. This film was one of the first big-budget sound movies, and with this era came the need for a 70 mm widescreen. However, many theaters refused to buy the equipment to screen the movie.
The timing of this movie was terrible, which led to its failure.
He Spent Almost a Decade Making B Films
Since his first film did so poorly, Wayne spent much time starring in lower-quality movies.
Wayne spent this time learning the filmmaking industry inside and out. When the film “Stagecoach” was released, Wayne was ready for his fast launch to legendary status.
In His Early Career, He Played a Singing Cowboy
Before becoming the iconic cowboy he was later in life, Wayne was a singing cowboy. While he starred as a singing cowboy in three movies, his most popular character was Sandy Saunders. In these roles, Wayne would ride his house, strum on his guitar, and sing songs like “The Desert Song.”
However, Wayne reportedly was not proud of his role in these movies because he couldn’t sing or play the guitar. His voice had to be dubbed, which embarrassed him.
He was Labeled a Draft Dodger
Wayne was a stark patriot and anti-communist who bled the embodiment of the American spirit. So, for him to be labeled a “draft dodger” during WWII seems a bit odd.
Yet, when the US entered WWII, several actors quickly enlisted to serve in the military. However, Wayne wasn’t on that list, which caused quite a stir and controversy. At first, he was exempt because of his age and an old injury. Later, Republic Studios disapproved of him enlisting.
Yet, critics claim Wayne didn’t join because he loved his lavish lifestyle too much. Was Wayne a draft dodger? No one, except for him, truly knows for sure.
He May Have Assisted the OSS
The OSS was the Office of Strategic Services, and when it was shut down during the war, it later became the CIA. Although Wayne did not serve in the military, he is thought to have helped the OSS during the war.
Wayne applied for the OSS but did not officially work there. Nevertheless, when he passed away, it has been stated that a document from William Donovan, who created the agency, was found thanking Wayne for his help during the war. So, was he a spy? How exactly did Wayne help the OSS? That is something that we may never know.
Joseph Stalin May Have Wanted Him Dead
Another known fact about Wayne was that he was outspoken about his patriotic spirit. He actively worked with the USO and made multiple visits to the troops.
Wayne was also very outspoken about his anti-communism beliefs. Since he was such a famous actor with a strong voice, it has been rumored that Joseph Stalin wanted Wayne assassinated. Allegedly, Stalin did order a hit on Wayne. However, the writer mentions that it may have just been a dark, humorous order.
Furthermore, Yakima Canutt, Wayne’s stuntman, seemingly corroborated this story with a fascinating tale, stating that the FBI, Wayne and a friend were able to stop the hit men from completing their mission.
Wayne Starred in Over 100 Movies
Wayne is a well-known actor for good reason. Throughout his career, he starred in 142 motion pictures. Those films include the B-movies he starred in before his career launched him to stardom.
Maureen O’Hara and Wayne Were Very Close Friends
Maureen O’Hara and Wayne were big names in Hollywood. They starred together in five movies. During this time, the two grew close and remained best friends for 39 years.
Wayne described her as his “only female friend” and “his kind of woman.” Their relationship remained so close through the years that O’Hara testified in honor of John Wayne right before his death, asking the President to give Wayne a Congressional Gold Medal.
Wayne Had Seven Children
John Wayne was a family man. He was married three times and had seven children from those marriages. Several of his children followed in his footsteps and worked in the film industry.
Wayne’s second son, Patrick, entered the film industry by starring in many films with his dad, including 40 movies and several television shows. He was also a host on “Tic-Tac-Dough,” a game show.
He Owned a Purebred Hereford Cattle Ranch
Apart from being an actor and strong patriot, Wayne was also a rancher. He owned a purebred Hereford cattle ranch that stretched for 39 miles. Wayne owned this ranch, called the 26 Bar Ranch, with his friend Louis Johnson, and it was located in Arizona.
He was given a Congressional Gold Medal
DURANGO MEXICO - 1973: L-R Ben Johnson, Christopher George, Rod Taylor, Ann-Margret and John Wayne on the set of 'The Train Robbers' directed by Burt Kennedy in 1973 in Durango, Mexico. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Before Wayne passed away from stomach cancer in 1979, friends and family gave testimony for him to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Among those friends who gave testimony was Maureen O’Hara.
The award was approved when Wayne turned 72 and was later presented to his family in March 1980. On the medal, the inscription says “John Wayne- American.”
He Was Advised to Keep His Lung Cancer Diagnosis a Secret
In 1964, Wayne was diagnosed with lung cancer. He later stated that his advisors recommended he keep this diagnosis under wraps. They were concerned that it would negatively affect the image he worked hard to create for himself. However, Wayne did come out to the public about his diagnosis, saying, “There is a hell of a lot of good image in John Wayne beating cancer,” which he did. However, Wayne did lose a lung during his battle with this first bout of cancer.
Yet, 15 years later, Wayne developed stomach cancer, which took his life at age 72. (Also See John Wayne Said: 25 of the Most Memorable Movie Quotes from “The Duke”)