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Top 10 Interesting Facts about John Wayne

John Wayne from the 1940 film, The Long Voyage Home- Photo by Ned Scott- 

Born on May 26th, 1907 as Marion Robert Morrison, he was professionally known as John Wayne and nicknamed Duke.

He was an American actor and filmmaker who became very popular during his time due to his starring roles in films made during the golden age of Hollywood. Especially Western and war films.

1. Started his Journey by working for Fox Film Corporation

Film Clapperboard- Image by Gioele Fazzeri from

He was born in Iowa but grew up in Southern California. In 1923, he enrolled at the University of Southern California where he played football. He however lost his scholarship due to a bodysurfing injury.

He thus began working for the Fox Film Corporation during the summers. He worked as a propman and it is here that he developed a friendship with the director, John Ford who would cast him in minor roles in small of small films, beginning of 1928.

2. He disliked his name

John Wayne didn’t like his feminine-sounding name, Marion Morrison as he was always given a hard time about it while growing up. He, therefore, decided to adopt the name, ‘Duke,’ which was his dog’s name.

He was really fond of it that his family would refer to it as ‘big Duke,’ while John was ‘small Duke.’ He thus took the name and was even credited in one of his early movies as ‘Duke Morrison.’

3. His favorite game was Chess

Chess Board- Image by Devanath from

Wayne loved passing his time by playing chess. He was often seen bringing a miniature board with him so that he could play it between scenes on set.

Also, when accompanying his wife, Pilar Pallet, to play amateur tennis, officials would always stock his trailer with a chess set.

He would invite his fans who wanted to play by putting a sign outside his trailer, “do you want to play chess with John Wayne?”

4. John Wayne was cast in his first starring role in 1930

John Wayne in The Big Trail, 1930- Distributed by Fox Film Corporation-

A director by the name Raoul Walsh saw John Wayne moving studio furniture while working as a propman and decided to cast him in the film, ‘The Big Trail’ (1930). This was his very first role as the leading man. He was given the screen name “John Wayne” which is a name that stuck over the years.

The movie, ‘Big Trail’ was a big-budget movie as it was the first outdoor spectacle of the sound era. The film was even filmed in two versions: a standard 35 mm version and another in the new 70 mm grander film process which typically used innovative cameras and lenses.

People who watched the movie in grander were really impressed although only a handful of theatres at the time were equipped to show such a film in its widescreen process. The film, therefore, was considered a flop at the time, given the fact that very few theatres were able to play it.

5. John Wayne was awarded the congressional gold medal and the presidential medal of freedom

On May 26th, 1979, during his birthday, congress sent president Carter legislation to have a special gold medal struck in honour of John Wyne. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously.

In 1980 again, president Jimmy Carter awarded him the presidential medal of freedom, which is America’s highest civilian honour. He is among a handful of individuals to receive both the presidential medal of freedom and the congressional gold medal.

6. The John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF) was founded in his honour

In 1985, JWCF was founded by Wayne’s children in order to honour him. It is an organization that brings courage and strength to the fight against cancer.

Since it was founded, it has started awareness programmes, education programmes, and even support groups. The organization has also been committed to funding and partaking in cancer research and education at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

7. John Wayne won only one academy award, Oscar, in his career

Academy award oscar statue- Image by Gia Knight from

On April 7th, 1970, John Wayne won his first and only acting academy award for his role in the western film, ‘True Grit.’ The win was generally considered a long-overdue reward for “one of Hollywood’s most enduring performers.” Before, the academy had failed to even nominate him for some of his most celebrated performances in films like Stagecoach(1939), Red River (1948), and especially ‘The Searchers’ (1956) which was considered by many, the greatest Western to ever be made.

8. Wayne starred in low-budget films before hitting his big break in 1939 film, Stagecoach

John Wayne in the movie Stagecoach, 1939- United Artists-

For 8 years, Wayne starred in more than 60 low-budget motion pictures, mostly in roles of cowboys, soldiers, and just men of adventure films.

He hit his big break when film director John Ford cast him as the Ringo Kid in the classic film of 1939, ‘Stagecoach.’ After this film, his place in the American cinema scene was established and he kept on growing with each successive year.

9. He became an actor because of a bodysurfing accident

Competitors of the Pyramid Rock Body Surfing Competition 2015- Author; Lance Cpl. Julian Temblador-

John Wayne went to the University of South California (USC) on a football scholarship. Naturally, his future at that point was based on the path he would take after college.

Unfortunately, after sustaining a serious shoulder injury while body surfing, he lost his place on the football team. He also lost the scholarship that had given him the spot.

Due to being unable to pay for his room and board, Wayne quit school and with the help of his football coach at the time, found a job as a prop guy at the Fox studios in 1927.

This is where his journey as a popular icon in the acting scene began. Not long after, he landed his first leading role in 1930

10. He once broke 3 of his ribs while filming

In 1969, while filming his movie, ‘The Undefeated,’ John Wayne fell from a horse and suffered three broken ribs and a torn ligament in his shoulder, preventing efficient use of that arm.

He however refused to stop working as he was worried he might disappoint his fans. Despite the intense pain caused by his injuries,  Wayne continued working.

Due to this, that film’s director, Andrew McLaglen, could only film Wayne from a particular angle for the remainder of the shooting so as to not make injuries too obvious.

John Wayne’s statue at John Wayne / Orange County Airport (SNA)- Author; Dave & Margie Hill-

John Wayne is considered one of the greatest actors of his time and an icon who paved the way for many other actors that came after him.