John Wayne

The Hollywood Legend Who Starred In More Westerns Than Anyone Else

Though it’d be easy to assume John Wayne is the actor with the most Westerns under his belt, that distinction actually belongs to a different Hollywood legend. The Western genre is among the most iconic in the history of Hollywood. Actors like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood used Westerns to become two of the most famous movie stars in history. Westerns were an integral part of the film industry, and they were initially produced at an astounding rate, seemingly defining cinema for decades.
The Western genre may not be as a popular as it was in the 20th century, but it remains the most iconic category in cinema. There is no shortage of modern Westerns, and the overarching impact the genre had on filmmaking as a whole cannot be understated. In years past, a multitude of actors, including Gabby Hayes, Randolph Scott, Ward Bond, and so many more made their livings playing convincing cowboys or outlaws in a constant rollover of Western films, including this particular actor who starred in more Westerns than any other actor in history.
RELATED:The 20 Best Westerns Ever Made Ranked
Tom Mix Was The Most Prolific Western Actor

Tom Mix wearing a cowboy hat.

The actor who starred in the most Westerns throughout their career is none other than Tom Mix. While his name may not be as recognizable as someone like John Wayne, Mix appeared in a grand total of 291 films, with at least 200 of those being Westerns in the early 20th century. Starting out as a rodeo star, Mix worked as an actor beginning in 1909 and continued to pump out several movies a year up until 1929 when his career began to wind down. He made his final movie, The Miracle Rider, in 1935.
A big part of why Tom Mix isn’t a household name is that the majority of his films were silent. Naturally, movies made in the silent film era are frequently overlooked in favor of Westerns from the 1930s and after. Witht that in mind, it makes sense that his name isn’t as iconic as Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, or James Stewart.

Why Tom Mix Was So Important

Tom Mix on a motorcycle.

If Mix had been making movies just a couple of decades later, he could have shared the big screen with other Western legends. But even though Mix’s career was over before the genre was at its peak, his impact on the world of filmmaking should not be ignored when looking at all the movies that benefited from his inclusion. After all, he had starring roles in some of Hollywood’s most influential Westerns, such as the original Destry Rides Again from 1932 and Riders of the Purple Sage.
Tom Mix is so important to the world of film because his role in popularizing the Western genre also served to elevate movies as a whole. For that reason, he is often credited with helping solidify the Western as the dominant genre in Hollywood. Mix was an essential part of the initial explosion of popularity the genre enjoyed in the early days of filmmaking. All things considered, Mix should be remembered for the invaluable contributions he made to the popularization of Westerns and cinema as a whole.

John Wayne

The Legend Lives On: John Wayne is Still Alive!

In a world where legends never fade, we can’t help but wonder: what if John Wayne, the iconic figure of American cinema, is still with us in spirit? The Duke, known for his larger-than-life roles and undeniable charisma, continues to inspire generations.

From his unforgettable performances in classics like “True Grit” and “The Searchers” to his indomitable spirit, Wayne’s essence is woven into the fabric of Hollywood and American culture. His rugged persona, moral fortitude, and unwavering courage resonate deeply, reminding us of the values he embodied.

While we may not see him on the silver screen today, Wayne’s legacy lives on through the countless actors he inspired and the stories he helped tell. His films are timeless, bringing joy and adventure to audiences around the world.

So, as we celebrate the enduring impact of John Wayne, let’s keep his spirit alive in our hearts. Whether you’re watching one of his classics or sharing a favorite quote, remember that the legend of John Wayne will never truly die. Here’s to the Duke—forever a part of our cinematic history!

John Wayne

Why John Wayne Turned Down the Chance to Work With Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are the two biggest legends in the history of Western movies, however, they never worked together. The duo did have the opportunity to work together once in the 1970s. Here’s why the film never came to fruition.

How John Wayne responded when Clint Eastwood tried to work with him

Firstly, a little background. According to the book John Wayne: The Life and Legend, it all starts with Larry Cohen. Though Cohen is not a widely known director like Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino, he’s a huge name to fans of B movies. He directed famous B movies like The Stuff, Q: The Winged Serpent, It’s Alive, and God Told Me To. He also wrote a script called The Hostiles shortly after Eastwood released his classic High Plains Drifter.

The Hostiles was about a gambler who wins half of an estate of an older man. The gambler and the older man have to work together despite the fact that they don’t like each other. Eastwood optioned the screenplay with the intent of playing the gambler alongside Wayne as the older man.

Eastwood sent a copy of the script of The Hostiles to Wayne. Although Eastwood felt the script was imperfect, he saw its potential. However, Wayne was not interested. Eastwood pitched the film to Wayne a second time and Wayne responded with a letter. Wayne’s letter complained about High Plains Drifter. Wayne was offended by the film and its portrayal of the Old West as a cruel, violent place.

John Wayne

Ann-Margret Refused to Call John Wayne ‘Duke’ While Introducing 1 of His Movies

Ann-Margret once starred in one of John Wayne’s lesser-known movies. However, she refused to call him by his popular moniker Duke. Here’s a look at the film they made together — and why she declined to call him by a nickname.

The one time Ann-Margret and John Wayne made a movie together

Ann-Margret is probably most known for her work in musicals, specifically Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, and The Who’s Tommy. However, she also dabbled in the Western genre. She starred alongside Wayne in the mostly forgotten movie The Train Robbers.

Wayne was also known as The Duke or just Duke. According to USA Today, the nickname was derived from his childhood dog. It stuck with him for many years. It continues to be used today — even on the box covers of the DVDs for his movies.

John Wayne | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

During an interview with Interview Magazine, Ann-Margret explained why she didn’t refer to the Rio Bravo star by this famous name. “When I came to this country, first of all, mother and I didn’t know English,” she said. “I would curtsey, then say, ‘Thank you,’ and then when I was leaving, curtsey. For example, we went to Dallas to introduce a film I did with John Wayne. And I never called him Duke. I just couldn’t. That’s the way I was raised. When you meet someone, you say either Mr. or Mrs. or Miss. You stand up.”

Ann-Margret revealed she treated other famous people in much the same way. For example, she worked with director George Sidney on Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. She always called him Mr. Sidney.

What Ann-Margret thought about John Wayne

Ann-Margret refused to use Wayne’s most famous moniker. However, she had a positive view of the actor. During an interview with Fox News, she was asked what she expected when she met Wayne. “Oh, I didn’t know what to expect,” she revealed. “But when he hugged me, it’s like the world was hugging me. He was so big and wide with that booming voice.

“We were shooting in Durango, Mexico and my parents came down to visit me,” she added. “He was so great with my parents. So absolutely welcoming and gentle with them. And anybody who was great to my parents was on a throne in my eyes.”

How the world reacted to ‘The Train Robbers’

Wayne starred in many classic Westerns, including The Searchers, Stagecoach, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. However, The Train Robbers is mostly forgotten. It didn’t gain a cult following like Once Upon a Time in the West or Dead Man. It wasn’t a critical success either, garnering a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Ann-Margret had some fond memories of making the film — even if she refused to call Wayne by his famous nickname.