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John Wayne (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979). He epitomized masculinity. He is famous for his distinctive voice, walk and physical presence. He was also known for his conservative political views and his support in the 1950s for anti-communist positions.

I never relized this but his career began in silent movies in the 1920s. I thought he just made Westerns and war movies, but he also made biographies, romantic comedies, police dramas, and more.

John Wayne young buck

Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa.

Wayne's family moved to Palmdale, California, and then to Glendale, California in 1911. A local fireman at the firehouse on his route to school in Glendale started calling him "Little Duke", because he never went anywhere without his huge Airedale Terrier dog, Duke. He preferred "Duke" to "Marion", and the name stuck for the rest of his life.

He was an active as a member of the Order of DeMolay, a youth organization associated with the Freemasons, that he joined when he came of age. He attended Wilson Middle School in Glendale. He played football for the 1924 champion Glendale High School team.

He attended USC..the University of Southern California .... majoring in pre-law. Wayne also played on the USC ..Southern Cal football team under legendary coach Howard Jones. An injury ended his athletic career. The actual cause of his injury....Dude... he was bodysurfing at the “Wedge” at the tip of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. He lost his athletic scholarship and without funds had to leave school.

While he was still at the university, Wayne started working at the local film studios. He soon moved on to bit parts, establishing a long friendships with directors and other actors.

John Wayne or Jon Con

John Wayne was a Republican. He was a big part of creating the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in 1943. He was an anti-communist, and vocal supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Wayne used his popularity to support conservative causes, including rallying support for the Vietnam War by producing, co-directing, and starring in The Green Berets (1968).

John wayne on the Stump

Due to his status as the most famous Republican star in Hollywood, Republican Party backers asked Wayne to run for national office in 1968. He declined, joking that he did not believe the public would seriously consider an actor in the White House........

He supported his friend Ronald Reagan's runs for Governor of California in 1966 and 1970. He was also asked to be the running mate for Democratic Alabama Governor George Wallace. Wayne rejected the offer. Wayne also actively campaigned for Richard Nixon, and addressed the Republican National Convention on its opening day in August 1968.

John Wayne International Man of Mystery

Wayne's strong anti-communist politics were known thru-out the world. Information from Soviet archives, indicates that Joseph Stalin ordered Wayne's assassination, but died before the killing could be accomplished. His successor, Nikita Khrushchev, reportedly told Wayne during a 1958 visit to the United States that he had personally rescinded the order.

John Wayne and Playboy

In an interview with Playboy magazine in May 1971, Wayne made infamous remarks. One disclaimed a personal sense of guilt for the historical treatment of Native Americans, the second claimed that African-Americans had been denied educational opportunities and resented that fact, "possibly rightfully so". He went on to say that did not justify turning over the country "..to the leadership of the blacks. I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people." ...Holy Moly....

John wayne and Carter

He wrote letters bluntly criticizing Ronald Reagan and praising Jimmy Carter for their stands on the Panama Canal. He was one of Mr. Carter's biggest supporters on the Panama Canal Treaty, which turned over to Panama the canal built by the United States near the turn of the century. Mr. Wayne sometimes took Mr. Carter to task on many issues.

The letters and Mr. Carter's responses are on file at the library of the Carter Presidential Center.

John Wayne and Reagan

In a letter to Mr. Reagan dated Nov. 11, 1977, a copy of which was sent to Mr. Carter, the actor accused Mr. Reagan of spreading untruths about the Panama Canal Treaty in letters to his supporters.

''Now I have taken your letter, and I'll show you point by goddxxx point in the treaty where you are misinforming people,'' Mr. Wayne told Mr. Reagan. ''If you continue these erroneous remarks, someone will publicize your letter to prove that you are not as thorough in your reviewing of this treaty as you say or are damxxx obtuse when it comes to reading the English language.''

And to show he meant business signed the letter ''Duke'' and enclosed with it a five-page rebuttal - written on the stationery of the Republican National Committee - of Mr. Reagan's stand on the canal issue.

Yes friends.....thats Manly.

John Wayne And GOP Hypocrites

Some say the modern origin of GOP hypocrisy started with the glorification of a chickenhawk: John Wayne.

During WW II, when many Hollywood stars such as Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda volunteered for military service, the "Duke" evaded getting drafted. Ironically, he was the very symbol of American military and cowboy swagger by playing such roles on the screen.

Wayne was also a boozing philanderer who objected to scripts that he felt didn't pass "his moral code" of decency for America. It was a moral code that he didn't personally abide by, but that's the Republican way..........so they say.

John wayne on TV

John Wayne was on the Dick Cavett Show during Vietnam and he started attacking the anti-War activists. On the show with him was actor Ricardo Montalban. Montalban knew that Wayne hadn't served in WWII (Wikipedia's John Wayne entry goes into this in detail) and Wayne's sons weren't in Service despite being prime draft age.

What Wayne didn't know was that Montalban had combat service in WWII (I believe he was tailgunner on George McGovern's bomber) and that Montalban's son had been KILLED a week before while serving as a Medic in Vietnam.

When Wayne began sliming the anti-War people Montalban angrilly stood up and Dick Cavett quickly cut to commercial because it was gonna be UGLY! When the show resumed after the commercial break Montalban was still there, but Wayne WASN'T! No explanation was ever given as to what happened and the show resumed without Wayne.

John Wayne speak

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." (The Shootist)

Speaking to his young cavalry lieutenants: "Don't apologize—it's a sign of weakness." (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon)

"Fill your hands, you son of a bitxx!" (True Grit)

"That'll be the day!" (The Searchers - Spoken several times; inspired Buddy Holly to write a song with that title.)

"Pilgrim." (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Reportedly he used the expression "Pilgrim", as in "tenderfoot" or "dude" or "amateur", 23 times in that film, and once also in McLintock.)

"I haven't lost my temper in 40 years, but Pilgrim, you caused a lot of trouble this morning; might have got somebody killed, and somebody oughta belt you in the mouth. But I won't. I won't. The hell I won't!" (He belts him)...(To Leo Gordon in McLintock).

"You can call me Dad, you can call me Father, you can call me Jacob and you can call me Jake. You can call me a dirty old son-of-a-bitxx, but if you EVER call me Daddy again, I'll finish this fight." (To his son, played by his real-life son Patrick Wayne, in Big Jake).

John Wayne and Me

I met him at a party once, I was a friend of Patrick Wayne. It was at John Wayne's house in Newport beach and there must have been 50 people there. John came around, shook hands, said he was Pat's dad and then he split. He just said, "I'm John, Pat's dad." He was so impressive. That started my interest in him as an actor. I was to young to pay attention to his political views.

I've heard people say, John "Wayne" McCain...or McNasty....

I have to tell ya...in states like California and even South Carolina, which by the way loves its "Fighting Gamecocks" and has a large population of retired folks....... a presidential candidate who is fierce and tough and called The Maverick by some...is probably going to have some appeal come Nov.

Feel free to Jack this thread ...but I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Duke.

"I Just love people who wear their religion on their sleve. So superior. I'm sure your cars sports a nice little plastic Jesus fish to let everyone know that you are a believer"....john wayne