10 fun and interesting John Wayne facts

1. Iconic Actor Born Marion Morrison

John Wayne, the iconic actor of the silver screen, was born Marion Robert Morrison. He adopted the stage name of John Wayne in order to stand out from the crowd and make a name for himself in Hollywood. His career spanned five decades and he starred in over 170 films, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the world.

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2. John Wayne's Seven Children

John Wayne was a legendary actor who was married three times during his lifetime. He had four children with his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz, two children with his second wife, Esperanza Baur, and one child with his third wife, Pilar Pallete. In total, John Wayne had seven children, all of whom he was very proud of.

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3. Iconic Actor and Western Icon

John Wayne was an iconic actor who was best known for his appearances in a variety of Westerns throughout his career. He starred in over 140 films, with many of them being Westerns, such as The Searchers, Stagecoach, Red River, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. His performances in these films earned him the nickname of "The Duke" and cemented his place in Hollywood history. He was also the recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in True Grit.

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4. John Wayne is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood history

John Wayne is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood history, having appeared as the leading actor in an impressive 142 films. His impressive resume includes only 11 films in which he was not the leading actor, making him one of the most sought-after leading men in the industry. His iconic roles in films such as The Searchers, True Grit, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance have cemented his legacy as a Hollywood legend.

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5. 16th Top Movie Star of All Time

John Wayne was one of the most iconic movie stars of all time, and this was recognized by "Empire" magazine in 1997 when they ranked him as the sixteenth "Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time". His career spanned over five decades, during which he starred in over 175 films, and won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1969 film "True Grit". His legacy continues to live on, and he remains one of the most beloved and recognizable actors in the world.

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6. "The Green Berets" Director and Star

John Wayne was offered the lead role in the 1967 classic war film "The Dirty Dozen", but he chose to pass on the opportunity in order to direct and star in his own war film, "The Green Berets". Despite the fact that "The Dirty Dozen" went on to become a major success, Wayne was determined to make his own mark on the war genre and create a film that would honor the brave soldiers of the Vietnam War.

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7. John Wayne's Iceberg-Cocked Tequila

John Wayne was the proud owner of a yacht named "The Wild Goose". On one of his many cruises, he encountered an iceberg and decided to chip off some of the ice to use for his Tequila. He was so impressed with the taste of the ice-cold Tequila that he kept the ice on board for years, serving it to his friends whenever they were on board.

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8. John Wayne was a Sigma Chi member

John Wayne was a member of the prestigious fraternity Sigma Chi while attending college. As a member of Sigma Chi, he was part of a brotherhood of men who shared a commitment to the values of friendship, justice, and learning. During his time in the fraternity, John Wayne was able to develop his leadership skills and build lifelong friendships.

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9. John Wayne Cameos on "The Beverly Hillbillies"

John Wayne, the iconic actor, made a memorable cameo appearance on the hit television series "The Beverly Hillbillies" in 1967. In a self-parodying move, he requested only a bottle of bourbon as payment for his appearance. His cameo was so popular that it was even referenced in the show's theme song.

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10. John Wayne, Legendary Actor, Dies at 88

On June 11, 1979, the legendary actor John Wayne passed away in Los Angeles, California after a long battle with lung and stomach cancer. His death marked the end of an era for the iconic actor, who had starred in over 170 films and won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in True Grit. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his fans, who continue to celebrate his life and work.