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John Wayne Was ‘Hated’ and ‘Feared’ by Joseph Stalin, Who Wanted Him Assassinated

John Wayne put his patriotic identity above all else. He chose many of his film projects based on a specific image that the whole family could enjoy. However, Wayne’s anti-communist messaging became a massive issue for Former Premier of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin. The political leader was so afraid of the actor’s power to sway public opinion that he ordered his assassination.

John Wayne was a patriot who felt guilty for not serving in the military

Pilar Wayne’s John Wayne: My Life With the Duke explores one of the most popular faces to ever exist in Hollywood. Pilar is Wayne’s third wife, who details his life behind the scenes and in his personal life. He always held a deep respect for the American military, but he never served. As a result, Pilar explained that not serving in the military became “the most painful part of his life.”

However, Wayne’s patriotism only escalated as a result of his feelings of guilt. “He would become a ‘superpatriot’ for the rest of his life trying to atone for staying home,” Pilar wrote. This is particularly evident through the movies that he starred in, such as The Green Berets.

Joseph Stalin ‘hated’ and ‘feared’ John Wayne so much, he ordered for the actor’s assassination

Michael Munn’s John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth provides another look at the legendary actor. He explained that he put a lot of attention into crushing communism in America. Wayne was the president of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, where he fought anything he deemed anti-American.

Even the folks in the Soviet film industry who didn’t know of Wayne and his movies heard about Stalin’s interest in killing the actor. Orson Welles talked to Munn about Stalin’s anti-Semitism and understanding of propaganda via motion pictures.

“I do not know if the name John Wayne was already known to Joseph Stalin before 1949, but in 1949 he certainly came to know of the name,” Welles said. “He came to hate it. He feared it. He felt that the name had become a major threat to him and his ideals. It was as though, in Stalin’s warped mind, the Americans had invented some new secret weapon, more subtle than a nuclear bomb, but just as destructive to Stalin’s ideals and his dreams of world domination.”

Welles continued: “Stalin urged Mao Tse-tung to join him in his conspiracy, impressing upon him that John Wayne had become the greatest enemy of Communism. Mao had previously asked Stalin for help in establishing his regime in China, and Stalin had refused him.”

Stalin was even willing to make deals in order to ensure that Wayne wasn’t an issue anymore.

Welles concluded: “So Mao, who had his own agenda which was to bring destruction to the United States without taking his own country to war, told Stalin that he would only support the assassination of John Wayne if Stalin would make every effort to push America into a war.”

The actor died from stomach cancer

Wayne won one Oscar for his lead performance in 1969’s True Grit. However, he previously earned nominations for 1960’s The Alamo and 1949’s Sands of Iwo Jima. Wayne has over 180 acting credits to his name, as he continues to personify the Western genre at large.

However, Wayne didn’t die from an assassination. Rather, he died as a result of stomach cancer on June 11, 1979, at the age of 72. Wayne’s final starring role was in The Shootist, where he played a gunslinger dying of cancer. This is a particularly personal role for the legendary actor, especially since he was fighting the disease in his personal life.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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