John Wayne

Jennifer O’Neill Recalls John Wayne’s Kindness While Filming ‘Rio Lobo’

Jennifer O’Neill only starred in one movie with Western legend John Wayne, which was the critically panned Rio Lobo. And while she has many negative memories of working on set, The Duke’s kindness made the experience worthwhile.

When O’Neil worked in the movie, she was only 21. And the job was her first big break. Until Rio Lobo, the actress had only one small credited role and two uncredited background appearances. So when she landed a spot right next to one of the most popular and influential stars of the generation, she was thrilled.

However, John Wayne was on his way out of Hollywood at the time. The then 62-year-old was battling cancer and had just undergone surgery to remove an affected lung. So while he was attempting to play his typical rough and tough cowboy role, he was struggling to get through his scenes.

Jennifer O’Neill Says John Wayne Went Out of His Way to Help His Young Co-stars on Rio Lobo

Jennifer O’Neil remembered Wayne having trouble mounting and dismounting his horse, and he was also dealing with lingering shoulder pain from a torn ligament he suffered on the set of The Undefeated a year prior. Nonetheless, he never let his ailments affect his mood. He still did everything he could to help the younger stars succeed, and he was always kind.

During an interview, O’Neill recalled one particular scene where Wayne had to carry her up a flight of stairs. But considering the fact that he could hardly ride a horse, climbing while holding a grown woman was a feat.

“He became just completely exhausted,” she said. “He really struggled through it.”

However, his trouble didn’t change how he treated her or anyone else for that matter. Jennifer O’Neill said that The Duke was “the nicest guy in the world,” and she added that he consistently worked with the other actors to help them improve their parts.

Taking the time to groom hopeful actors for the Silver Screen certainly wasn’t something that an Oscar-winning icon needed to do. But Wayne never let fame get to his head.

However, Rio Lobo wasn’t an all-around great experience for Jennifer O’Neill. In the same interview, she shared that director Howard Hawks was cruel to her. He constantly ridiculed her and claimed she was an untalented actress.

And on one occasion, Hawks even walked right up to her and punched her hard in the stomach because he was upset that her voice was too high. Then, he instructed her to walk into the middle of the woods and scream at trees until she damaged her vocal cords enough to give her that raspy sound that the old-Hollywood starlets had.

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.