Entertainment

‘Exhausted’ Duke’s secret oxygen mask discovery left him furious – My Blog

JOHN WAYNE’s last few movies saw the Western legend’s co-stars and crew remember a physically weakened Duke, who was determined to carry on despite being on what he called “borrowed time”. The star even had a special oxygen mask and “exploded” at a photographer when caught using it out of sight, trying desperately to protect his macho screen image.

John Wayne was born 115 years old ago this week and died at the age of 72 back in 1979, after a long career of 179 film and TV productions. During his last couple of decades, Duke was plagued with ill health after having a cancerous lung and two ribs removed in the mid-1960s. His operation saw his new movie with Dean Martin, The Sons of Katie Elder, stalled until he recovered. Yet despite his struggles, the Hollywood star was determined to carry on, sucking in his gut and wearing fresh toupees to play characters often much younger and fitter than he was at 57-years-old.

With just one lung, Wayne had to rely on an oxygen tank to sustain him, which was a real difficulty for him considering their filming location of Durango, Mexico was 6000 ft above sea level. Nevertheless, this didn’t stop him from puffing away on cigars even though he had given up on cigarettes.

His The War Wagon co-star Kirk Douglas recalled a year later seeing a fragile Duke using the mask for the whole of their flight to their Mexican set, having previously been unaware of just how bad his condition had become. Yet it was on The Sons of Katie Elder where the risk of it all being publicised that left the Western star furious.
One day on set, The Globe photographer Gene Sysco snapped him secretly gasping for air into his mask, which caused Duke to “explode in rage”.

According to Randy Roberts’ John Wayne: American, the star threw a can at the photographer and screamed: “You goddamned son of a b****! Give me that f***ing film!”
Sysco gave it back to Duke on the now dead silent set, which made the actor realise just how much he’d overreacted to being photographed.
It was just a few hours later in the motel dining room where Wayne walked over to the photographer’s table and said publicly: “I’m a grown man. I ought to be able to control myself better than I did today. I’m sorry.”
Despite this, Duke kept the film as he wanted to protect his public image as a tough American cowboy on the big screen.

However, the film remained with him, fearful that his public image would be tainted by seeing his face in an oxygen mask. After all, he felt it was crucial to reestablishing his tough persona after such major surgery.
Following his Best Actor Oscar for 1969’s True Grit, the star was said to be extremely tired when exerting himself on the set of Rio Lobo, his second remake of Rio Bravo with Howard Hawks.
Although Wayne would often still insist on doing his own stunts during this period, for Rio Lobo fight scene much was filmed with his double alongside off-camera sounds of scuffling. His co-star Jennifer O’Neill remembered how Duke struggled to carry her up the stairs.

She said in an interview years later: “He became just completely exhausted, he really struggled through it.” By his mid-sixties, the cowboy star was coming to the end of his Western career with films like Cahill US Marshall.
Suffering from emphysema on his remaining lung, Duke was very weak and forced to use a stepladder to climb onto his horse and had a double for distance riding shots.
In 1973, the year Cahill US Marshall was released, his longtime collaborator director John Ford died of cancer. At the time Wayne told journalists: “I’m pretty much living on borrowed time.”
Following the not as well-received movie, Wayne made just two more Westerns in True Grit sequel Rooster Cogburn, with Katherine Hepburn, and his final movie The Shootist. The latter saw him play a terminally ill gunfighter in the 1976 movie, foreshadowing his own death from cancer just three years later.

Entertainment

Woman Who Claimed To ‘Marry Her Stepdad’ Clears The Air On Their Relationship

Here’s a 450-word unique post based on the link you provided:

Woman Who Claimed to Marry Her Stepfather Clears the Air on Their Relationship

The internet thrives on shocking stories, but one recent claim left social media users in disbelief. A woman allegedly married her stepfather, sparking outrage, curiosity, and a flood of reactions online. Now, she’s speaking out to set the record straight and clarify the truth behind her controversial statement.

The story first gained traction when a video went viral, showing the woman with her stepfather, leading to accusations of an inappropriate relationship. The online frenzy was fueled by speculation, memes, and heated debates about family boundaries. For weeks, critics and supporters alike dissected the story, with some condemning the alleged union and others calling it a matter of personal freedom.

In a recent interview, the woman addressed the situation head-on, debunking the rumors that she married her stepdad. She explained that her initial claim was misunderstood, blown out of proportion, and taken out of context. According to her, the relationship has been misrepresented, and while they do share a close bond, it is far from what people assumed.

“It’s crazy how quickly the internet twists things. People love drama, but this isn’t what they think it is,” she said. She revealed that her stepfather has been a supportive figure in her life, and their connection is built on mutual respect and care—not romance.

Despite her clarification, the backlash hasn’t entirely subsided. Critics question why she made the claim in the first place, while some accuse her of seeking attention. Others, however, have come to her defense, emphasizing the importance of verifying facts before jumping to conclusions.

Psychologists have weighed in on the situation, highlighting how social media amplifies controversies without context. “In today’s digital age, a misunderstood statement can snowball into a viral sensation within hours,” said one expert.

The woman admits that she didn’t anticipate the uproar her comments would create but hopes that her explanation will put the matter to rest. “I want people to stop judging without knowing the full story,” she added.

The saga serves as a reminder of how quickly stories can spiral out of control online. It also raises questions about privacy and the consequences of sharing personal details in the public eye.

As the dust begins to settle, one thing is clear: the internet never forgets. Whether this will be a lesson learned or just another fleeting viral moment remains to be seen.

What’s your take on this bizarre story? Was it just a misunderstanding, or is there more to it? Share your thoughts below!

Entertainment

Michael Bublé breaks down in tears over son Noah’s health issues

Michael Bublé Breaks Down in Tears Over Son Noah’s Health Issues

Michael Bublé, the beloved Canadian crooner known for his smooth voice and charming stage presence, recently opened up about one of the most challenging chapters of his life. In an emotional interview, Bublé shared his heartache over his son Noah’s battle with liver cancer, a health struggle that shook his family to its core.

Bublé, who is known for keeping his personal life relatively private, revealed the toll that Noah’s illness took on him, his wife, Luisana Lopilato, and their entire family. Noah, now 10, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, in 2016 when he was just three years old. The news was devastating, forcing the singer to put his flourishing career on hold to focus entirely on his son’s treatment and recovery.

In the candid conversation, Bublé broke down in tears while recounting the moment he first learned of Noah’s diagnosis. “I felt like my world had ended,” he admitted. “As a parent, you think you can protect your kids from anything, but something like this… it changes everything.”

The Grammy-winning artist described the sleepless nights and the rollercoaster of emotions that accompanied Noah’s treatment, which included surgery and chemotherapy. Bublé and Lopilato stayed by their son’s side every step of the way, drawing strength from their love for their family and their faith.

Bublé credits his son’s resilience and the support of loved ones for helping them endure the ordeal. He also expressed gratitude for the medical team that treated Noah, calling them “angels” for their dedication and care.

Thankfully, after months of treatment, Noah went into remission, a moment Bublé described as “the greatest miracle of my life.” While the experience left emotional scars, it also deepened Bublé’s appreciation for life and the things that truly matter.

The ordeal profoundly impacted the way Bublé approaches his music and career. He admitted that he once prioritized professional success but now places his family above all else. “Fame and fortune mean nothing compared to the health and happiness of my children,” he said.

Today, Noah is a thriving and happy young boy, and Bublé continues to use his platform to raise awareness about pediatric cancer. He hopes his story will inspire other families facing similar struggles to stay hopeful and strong.

Michael Bublé’s vulnerability in sharing his family’s journey has endeared him even more to his fans, reminding the world that behind the music is a devoted father who would do anything for his children.