Guide Note

John Wayne was an Academy Award winning film actor and an enduring American icon. He began his acting career in silent films before going on to star in numerous mainstream movies. Many of his roles were in Western and war films. The highly regarded actor passed away on June 11, 1979 from stomach cancer.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Marion Robert Morrison
2. Born: May 26, 1907
3. Died: June 11, 1979
4. Birthplace: Winterset, Iowa
5. Other names: Marion Michael Morrison; Duke
6. Academy Award: True Grit (1969)
7. AFI's The 50 Greatest Screen Legends: #13

Wayne was raised in California since the age of four. He attended the University of Southern California where he also played for the USC Trojans Football team. A bodysurfing injury ended his athletic career and Wayne was forced to withdraw from the University. In 1930, Wayne starred in his first feature role in The Big Trail. He went on to star in over 150 films, most notably Stagecoach, Sands of Iwo Jima, and True Grit. Wayne battled lung cancer, having surgery in 1964 to remove his left lung. His cancer returned in the late 1970s ultimately leading to his death.

1. "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."
2. "If you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow."
3. "Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much."
4. "I've had three wives, six children and six grandchildren and I still don't understand women"
5. "Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway."