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