John Wayne

Christopher Reeve’s family remembers ‘Dad’s dearest friend’ Robin Williams

Before Robin Williams was a comedy giant or an Oscar winner, he was an aspiring actor at Juilliard in the 1970s, when he befriended another up-and-comer named Christopher Reeve.
The two remained close during their respective ascents to movie fame, and behind all the laughs was a deep friendship.
Robin Williams helped lift the spirits of old friend Christopher Reeve after Reeve’s 1995 accident that left him with quadriplegia.Today
Williams was by Reeve’s bedside to make his old friend crack a smile before surgery in the aftermath of an accident in an equestrian competition in 1995 that left Reeve with quadriplegia.
“He was the first one to show up down in Virginia when I was really in trouble,” the late Reeve told then-TODAY anchor Katie Couric in an interview that aired Nov. 27, 1995, six months after his accident.
“He came here one afternoon and just— thank God I wear a seatbelt in this chair because I would have fallen out laughing,” Reeve continued. “It’s funny. In the middle of a tragedy like this, in the middle of a depression, you can still experience genuine joy and laughter and love.”
When Reeve died in 2004, Williams was there to console the actor’s family. And on Tuesday, the Reeve family mourned the loss of their good friend at the age of 63.
“The Reeve family, like many, will remember Robin for the humor, energy and brightness he brought into our lives through the screen,” the family said in a statement issued by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
“We will cherish him, though, for the quiet and unwavering support he showed our family through the hardest times. The world knew Robin as a comedic titan, but to our family, he was simply one of our Dad’s dearest friends.”
The family recalled a time after Reeve’s accident when Williams visited him at the hospital jokingly dressed as the proctologist he played in the movie “Nine Months,” saying he needed to give Reeve an immediate exam. Reeve was preparing for a surgical procedure that would re-attach his skull and spine — and come with only a 50-50 chance of survival. Williams showed up, snapped on a latex glove and broke out his character’s Russian accent to lighten the mood.
$LOS ANGELES - MARCH 8: Christopher Reeve presenting Robin Williams of \"Mork and Mindy\" with the Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program on the 197...$ Christopher Reeve presenting Robin Williams of \”Mork & Mindy\” with the Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program at the 1979 People’s Choice Awards.CBS Photo Archive / Today
“After our father’s accident, Robin’s visit to his hospital room was the first time that Dad truly laughed,” the family said in its statement. “Dad later said, ‘My old friend had helped me know that somehow I was going to be okay.’”
Such loyal support was nothing new for the two friends. Back in their Juilliard days, when they had been roommates, they had promised one another that whichever actor became famous first would always help the other.
Robin Williams also was a member of the board of the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation working toward the goal of finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Robin Williams served on the board of the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation, working toward the goal of finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.Evan Agostini / Today
“(T)heir friendship transformed into a brotherhood that was built on a mutual admiration for the theater, the arts and, most importantly, laughter,” the Reeve family statement said.

As board members of the Reeve Foundation, Williams and his former wife, Marsha Garces, were tireless in their fundraising efforts aimed at researching spinal cord injuries and improving quality of life for people living with paralysis.
“Robin’s unparalleled legacy on screen will last through the ages,” the Reeve family said. “But beyond the gift of laughter, he gave our family and the Reeve Foundation the gift of his simple, steadfast friendship. It’s a gift we’ll treasure forever.”
“While our hearts ache with the loss of our friend, it is unlikely Robin would want us to mourn his passing with silence, but to celebrate his life through laughter,” Reeve Foundation president and CEO Peter Wilderotter said in a statement. “Together, let’s remember Robin for the man who made the world laugh.”

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.