John Wayne

Actor[30]

What is John Wayne known for?

John Wayne, born as Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa, grew up to become an American cultural icon, renowned for his acting exploits. His remarkable film career spanned over three decades, peppering the golden age of Hollywood with plenty of memorable performances, specifically in Western and war movies. It all started after a bodysurfing accident led him to lose his football scholarship at the University of Southern California, pushing him to work for the Fox Film Corporation. His initial roles might have been small, but they provided the stepping stone for his stardom.

Wayne's breakthrough role came in 1930 with Raoul Walsh's Western movie, 'The Big Trail', despite its box-office failure. His journey to mainstream fame truly ignited when John Ford's 'Stagecoach' released in 1939, setting the stage for Wayne's future stardom. Some of his most memorable roles include a cattleman in 'Red River' (1948), a Civil War veteran in 'The Searchers' (1956), and a one-eyed marshal in 'True Grit' (1969), the latter earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor. His final screen appearance was in 'The Shootist' (1976) as an ageing gunfighter battling cancer. He passed away from stomach cancer on June 11, 1979, and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Also known as 'The Duke', Wayne's indelible influence can still be felt in the industry and among his fans. He starred in a total of 179 film and television productions and was among the top box-office draws for three decades. In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Wayne as one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema further cementing his legacy.

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