| Known as "The Duke", John Wayne made his | | | | in 1939 brought him to the forefront as a |
| first appearance in this world on May 26, | | | | true "star". He never forgot his roots in |
| 1907. His parents, Clyde Leonard and Mary | | | | the industry, though. From 1928 - when John |
| Alberta Brown Morrison, named their | | | | Ford gave him his first bit part - until |
| first-born child Marion Robert. When his | | | | 1963, he appeared in over 20 of Mr. Ford's |
| younger brother was born in 1911, his parents | | | | films, usually for much less that the going |
| decided to name him Robert. Thus, they | | | | rate at the time. These included such |
| changed Marion's middle name to Michael.The | | | | classics as "Stagecoach", "She Wore a Yellow |
| Morrison family moved to the Mojave Desert in | | | | Ribbon" (1949) and "The Man Who Shot Liberty |
| southern California in 1911, after Clyde was | | | | Valance" (1962). The last film listed there |
| diagnosed with a lung condition. Although | | | | also starred another well - known and |
| the pharmacist-by-trade fancied himself a | | | | established actor, James "Jimmy" Stewart.The |
| rancher, he was a poor manager and the family | | | | Duke's career spanned almost 250 films and |
| ranch failed. They moved to Glendale, | | | | five decades. He also did a radio serial |
| California shortly thereafter. Still, the | | | | program, from 1942 to 1943, called "The Three |
| family was never well-to-do by any stretch of | | | | Sheets to the Wind". He became involved in |
| one's imagination. Marion and Robert grew up | | | | film industry politics in 1944 when he helped |
| poor, but proud.Marion delivered medicines | | | | to organize and charter the Motion Picture |
| for his father and newspapers, to supplement | | | | Alliance for the Preservation of American |
| the family's income. He was frequently | | | | Ideals (MPAPAI). This was a right - wing |
| accompanied by his dog, Duke. Because they | | | | political organization and Mr. Wayne |
| were basically inseparable, his neighbors in | | | | eventually became its President for two |
| Glendale began referring to them as "Little | | | | terms. He quickly became known as an ultra - |
| Duke" and "Big Duke". Marion liked the name | | | | conservative. This was strongly affirmed in |
| Duke so much better than his given name that | | | | 1960 when he produced, directed and starred |
| he adopted it as his nickname. It stayed | | | | in the epic film "The Alamo". And his |
| with him for the rest of his life. He joked | | | | patriotism was even more profoundly evident |
| throughout his life that he was named after a | | | | with another epic in which he co - directed |
| dog.Marion quickly developed a reputation as | | | | and starred, "The Green Berets" (1968), the |
| a hard worker and he excelled academically, | | | | only film during that time which positively |
| as well as being a star player on his | | | | portrayed the Vietnamese Conflict.Quite |
| Glendale High School football team. When he | | | | possibly one of his best known characters, |
| graduated from high school, he applied to the | | | | for which he won the "Best Actor" Oscar |
| U.S. Naval Academy. While he was almost | | | | (Academy Award) in 1969, was "Rooster |
| accepted there, his bid ultimately failed. | | | | Cogburn" - a crusty, grouchy, one-eyed, aging |
| However the University of Southern California | | | | lawman - in "True Grit". There are those who |
| at Los Angeles recruited him on a football | | | | say that the award was given in recognition |
| scholarship. His budding career as a | | | | of his forty years as an actor, rather than |
| professional athlete was cut short following | | | | his actual performance in the film. |
| a swimming accident at a local beach. He | | | | Nontheless, this role was the embodiment of |
| lost his scholarship and had to leave USC | | | | the real person behind the role and not to be |
| because he lacked the funds to continue his | | | | denied as a fine blending of Mr. Wayne and |
| education there.During his time at college, | | | | the character.John Wayne remained a lifelong |
| he had been working around the local film | | | | friend to John Ford and they made numerous |
| studios in L.A. Tom Mix, a famous Western | | | | voyages together in Ford's yacht along with |
| film star at that time, got him a summer job | | | | actor Ward Bond. Apparently, Mr. Wayne and |
| at a props department in exchange for USC | | | | Mr. Bond were drinking buddies and loved to |
| Trojan football tickets. Marion quickly made | | | | play practical jokes on one another. One log |
| friends with the legendary director John Ford | | | | entry made by Mr. Ford noted, in polite |
| and started doing bit parts in films for him | | | | terms, that the "First Mate" (Wayne) had used |
| in 1928. In a film called "Maker of Men", he | | | | Mr. Bond's whiskey flask to relieve his |
| was one of the featured football players and | | | | bladder. While it was not revealed as to |
| was billed as Marion Morrison. He went on to | | | | whether or not Mr. Bond was enlightened to |
| do bit parts in about 70 films, none of which | | | | this fact, Mr. Ford obviously appreciated the |
| were particularly notable. During those | | | | gesture enough to make a note to himself to |
| films he was billed by different screen names | | | | give John Wayne a raise.Mr. Wayne's sense of |
| including Marion Duke, Duke Morrison and a | | | | humor was brought to public attention more |
| couple of others.He continued to work as a | | | | blatantly when he agreed to appear on "Rowan |
| prop man until his first starring role in a | | | | and Martin's Laugh-In", on national |
| 1930s film called "The Big Trail". The | | | | television, dressed in a pink bunny suit. He |
| director of that film gave him his stage | | | | could laugh at himself yet come across |
| name, Anthony Wayne, named for the famous | | | | confident and secure in his acting roles and |
| general, "Mad" Anthony Wayne. However, the | | | | as a champion of worthwhile causes and |
| studio did not particularly like the | | | | endeavors. He embodied true patriotism and |
| connotations connected with that name and | | | | belief in America and the sense of values |
| changed his first name to John. The newly | | | | which he felt her citizens should be proud to |
| named John Wayne went from making $35 weekly | | | | embrace and accept as normal. He scoffed |
| to an astounding $75 weekly! Quite an | | | | that there were those who called him a |
| accomplishment for that day and age. And a | | | | "superpatriot" for what he considered to be |
| huge amount of money to someone who grew up | | | | the way that all Americans should live and |
| poor.The first movie in which he had a | | | | present themselves to the rest of the world. |
| starring role was a flop. But, he began | | | | Just imagine what his thoughts would have |
| establishing his credentials and reputation | | | | been when 9/11 occurred!...to be continued. |
| as an actor from that point forward. His | | | | Look for Part 2 - John Wayne - "The Duke". |
| appearance in the epic Western "Stagecoach" | | | | |