John Wayne

John Wayne Did His Own Stunts in His Favorite ‘True Grit’ Scene

Actor John Wayne made a big splash with True Grit. He never anticipated that he would actually take home the Oscar gold this time around. However, Wayne did have a favorite scene in True Grit that really connected with him on a personal level. As a result, he wanted to do his own stunt work for the sequence.

Rooster Cogburn rediscovers his life in ‘True Grit’

'True Grit' actor John Wayne wearing an eye patch John Wayne | Paramount/Getty Images

Wayne didn’t get along with his True Grit co-star, Kim Darby, but he pushed his feelings down for the sake of the motion picture. The actor ultimately wanted to give the role to his own daughter, but he didn’t quite have the final say on the casting. Nevertheless, Wayne and Darby’s off-screen interactions ultimately led to a fascinating dynamic for the movie.

Wayne plays Rooster Cogburn in True Grit, who is a washed-up U.S. marshal with no family. The only relationship that he has left is with alcohol. However, everything changes when young Mattie Ross (Darby) approaches him with the request to help catch the man who killed her father. Rooster ultimately accepts the job, but unexpectedly rediscovers his life and redeems himself over the course of the film.

John Wayne did his own stunt work for his favorite scene in ‘True Grit’

Marc Eliot’s American Titan: Searching for John Wayne takes a deep dive into the actor’s life and career, including his work on True Grit. He absolutely loved the filming location itself, but there was one scene in particular that really stuck with the actor.

Wayne’s favorite scene in True Grit was at the end when he tells Mattie to “come see a fat, old man sometime” and then rides off on his house and jumps a four-rail fence. However, Wayne was missing a lung as a result of his surgery, wasn’t in the best physical condition, and was 61 years old.

Nevertheless, Wayne completed the jump in one take without a stunt double. His intention was to show the world that he wasn’t just alive, but was still able to hold his own. Additionally, it was a message to Hollywood that he wasn’t ready for retirement quite yet.

Critics forgave the actor after ‘The Green Berets’

American Titan: Searching for John Wayne explores how the critics responded to Wayne’s performance in True Grit. They previously slammed him for the war movie named The Green Berets that took a pro-stance on the Vietnam War. However, things would turn out very differently for both Wayne and True Grit.

Eliot wrote that advance screenings went extremely well and critics raved about the movie, especially when it came to Wayne’s brilliant performance. Eliot referred to Charles Champlin’s review in the Los Angeles Times, who wrote: “Rooster Cogburn sits like a crown atop [Wayne’s] forty years of playing John Wayne … until you’ve seen John Wayne with the reins in his teeth, you haven’t seen it all.”

Wayne would also finally win his one and only Oscar for his performance in True Grit, making it an especially special moment in the actor’s career.

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.