John Wayne

What’s In John Wayne Casserole And Did The Star Invent It?

If there’s one enduring icon of the American cowboy, movie buffs and cowboy fans everywhere could likely make a pretty strong case for John Wayne. The actor portrayed a cowboy or similar rugged idol of pastoral masculinity in nearly 150 different movies across the 20th century. (Talk about getting typecast.) After his on-screen debut in Raoul Walsh’s “The Big Trail” in 1930, Wayne went on to rock-’em and sock-’em in such blockbuster hits as “True Grit,” “Red River,” “The Alamo,” and “Rio Bravo.” But the “John Wayne” name is as synonymous with the man himself as with the archetype he depicted for a reason: He was the platonic ideal of a cowboy — and it’s after him that the casserole worthy of a true adventurer is named.

Back in the days of real-life cowboys, the cook who manned the “chuck wagon” was one of the most highly revered positions on the trail. According to Legends of America, cowboy cooks were considered second in ranking on the caravan team, only behind the Trail Boss, and subsequently accrued an entire lexicon of endearing nicknames like Cookie, Pot Rustler, Old Pud, and Dough Boxer. Fittingly, the dish named after the Classic American Cowboy himself would make any Pot Rustler proud. And that brings us to the John Wayne Casserole. (Hope you brought your appetite.)
John Wayne first wrote the casserole recipe, but it looks a little different todayEvening Standard/Getty ImagesJohn Wayne Casserole was first popularized by the 1979 cookbook, “Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends,” a collection of different celebrities’ favorite dishes. Author Cara Connery and her mother self-published the book, personally reaching out to at least 1,400 celebrities including Jimmy Carter, Captain Kangaroo, Walter Cronkite, Robert Redford, and (of course) John Wayne. The project started as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society; In a strange coincidence, Wayne himself died of cancer the same year, in 1979.
So, did John Wayne himself invent his eponymous casserole? Not exactly. The actor did submit the recipe himself, but the original dish detailed in Connery’s cookbook described a more understated egg and cheese casserole than the dish folks enjoy today. Over time, John Wayne Casserole evolved into a more elaborate casserole, and after popularization by the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cafeteria in Jackson, Mississippi, the new version of the dish stuck. UMC reportedly still serves it every other Thursday. So, what does John Wayne Casserole taste like?
A hearty southwestern dish fit for a real cowboy
Shirosuna-m/Getty ImagesWithout further ado, John Wayne Casserole starts with a base of refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury or Bisquick). The flaky, buttery dough is topped with chopped onions, red bell peppers, jalapenos, ground beef, and tomatoes. Then, the whole thing gets doused in a generous creamy, spicy topping made with sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning. It’s a hearty comfort food with Southwest Tex-Mex flair, comparable to an elevated breakfast casserole.
Appropriately, John Wayne Casserole features a few staple ingredients that real-life cowboys ate. According to the University of Montana, a cowboy diet regularly consisted of beans, chili, pork belly bacon, biscuits, beef, coffee, sourdough bread, and potatoes. It’s all too fitting that beef and biscuits are some of the stars in this cowboy casserole. If you’re hungry to get a taste of the wild west for yourself, go ahead and bop over to the grocery store — there’s no time to lose. As John Wayne himself once quipped in the 1972 film “The Cowboys,” “Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let’s go! We’re burnin’ daylight!”

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.