John Wayne

John Wayne Gave His Verdict on ‘Superman’ Actor Christopher Reeve at the Oscars

Actors John Wayne and Christopher Reeve had something in common when it came to being notable movie stars with a big presence. They both stood well over six feet tall, but they had signature acting styles that allowed them to command the screen in other ways. Wayne once told fellow legendary actor Cary Grant what he really thought about Reeve and his future in Hollywood.

John Wayne and Christopher Reeve both attended the 1979 Academy Awards

L-R: John Wayne and Christopher Reeve | Images/Getty Images and Saxon/IMAGES/Getty Images

Wayne attended the Academy Awards multiple times, and he even earned two nominations and a win. He was first nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 1949’s Sands of Iwo Jima. Wayne’s second nomination was for something else entirely: Best Picture for 1960’s The Alamo, which he directed himself. His final nomination was for 1969’s True Grit, which also marked the only time he brought home the Oscar gold.

Reeve and Wayne happened to both attend the 1979 Oscars, although the Superman actor was never nominated at the prestigious award show. This was the same year that The Deer Hunter took home the coveted Best Picture award, and Wayne made his final public appearance that was incredibly heartfelt.

John Wayne told Cary Grant that Christopher Reeve was ‘taking over’

Wayne and Reeve never starred in a feature film together, but their night at the 1979 Academy Awards was meaningful. The Western movie star always kept an eye open for emerging talents and didn’t mince words to state his honest opinion. For example, he thought Gone with the Wind actor Clark Gable was an “idiot.” Fortunately, Wayne had a much higher opinion of Reeve.

According to Ability Magazine, Wayne turned to Grant during the ceremony and said, “This is our new man. He’s taking over.”

‘Superman’ made his career difficult

Wayne made his comment to Grant about Reeve only one year after his star-turning role in 1978’s Superman. However, the movie star’s prediction wouldn’t exactly go quite as he imagined it would. Reeve became an American icon for playing Superman over the course of four feature films, but decision-makers in Hollywood had difficulty seeing him in another light.

However, Reeve also turned down big roles in favor of playing more complex characters in smaller movies. He still starred in successful movies, such as The Bostonians, Street Smart, and The Remains of the Day.

Wayne and Reeve both became American movie icons thanks to their bodies of work, but also because of how they entered the popular culture machine. They wanted to diversify their work, but Wayne got stuck in making Western and war movies, which is what his fans wanted from him.

Reeve broke his neck in 1995 after he was thrown from a horse, using a wheelchair and ventilator for the rest of his life. Nevertheless, he still didn’t give up his love for performing. He directed 1997’s In the Gloaming and starred in the made-for-TV remake of Rear Window in 1998. Additionally, the Superman actor made cameo appearances in Smallville.

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.