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JOHN WAYNE’S SON ETHAN REMEMBERS THE WESTERN SCREEN ICON – My Blog

Born on Feb. 22, 1962, John Ethan Morrison (known professionally as Ethan Wayne) is the youngest son of the late Western film icon John Wayne (birth name Marion Robert Morrison and known to friends as “Duke”) and wife Pilar Pallete. Memorably, as a boy Ethan appeared on-screen with his father and older brother Patrick in Big Jake (1971). In the wake of his dad’s death from stomach cancer at age 72 on June 11, 1979, young Wayne turned a stint doing stunt work, then returned to acting on both the big and small screen, including a co-starring role in the police drama The New Adam-12. When older brother Michael Wayne died in 2003, Ethan took the reins as president of the family-run John Wayne Enterprises and director of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.Wild West recently caught up with Ethan to discuss the various Wayne family endeavors, including the new museum, John Wayne: An American Experience, in Fort Worth, Texas.Ethan Wayne today posing with his dog aboard his boatWayne carries on his father’s legacy as both president of John Wayne Enterprises and director of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. (Interfoto/Alamy Stock Photo)WHAT WAS THE GENESIS OF THE NEW MUSEUM?In the last few years the team at John Wayne Enterprises and I hosted a series of successful interactive pop-up exhibits in both Nashville and Las Vegas. After seeing the impact my father still has, our family decided we wanted a more permanent location. Through my good friend Patrick Gottsch I was introduced to Craig Cavileer of Majestic Realty, and they brought me down to the stockyards in Fort Worth. Once we saw Cavileer’s vision for the stockyards, we knew it was the right place for John Wayne.WHAT UNDISCOVERED TREASURES DID YOU TURN UP IN THE FAMILY STORAGE FACILITY?When they packed up my father’s house, it looks like they emptied the contents of every drawer and just wrapped the whole thing up in brown packing paper. While unwrapping all of it, we stumbled on everything from unread mail to his Oscar he won for True Grit. We also found some really good old whiskey, which is what inspired our collaboration with Duke Spirits. It really was like a step back in time.

Among the scores of costumes and hats on exhibit at the Fort Worth museum John Wayne: An American Experience is this iconic Stetson. (John Wayne: An American Experience, Fort Worth, Texas)
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THE MUSEUM AND ITEMS ON DISPLAY?For me personally it’s the wardrobe display in the “Life on Screen” section. All the costumes he wore in the most iconic films, set up on mannequins exactly how they appear on-screen. It’s very impactful.HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE NAMED FOR BOTH A WESTERN FILM ICON AND ARGUABLY HIS GREATEST CHARACTER ROLE (ETHAN EDWARDS OF THE SEARCHERS)?It’s a great legacy. I’m proud to carry that moniker.WHAT WAS LIFE WITH YOUR DAD LIKE, AT HOME, ON THE SET AND ABOARD HIS CONVERTED WORLD WAR II MINESWEEPER WILD GOOSE?My dad was happiest out on the water or on location; he loved projects and stories. On set, he was all business—very focused on the project. At home, he was warm, but consistently busy with the day-to-day, as you could imagine. On Wild Goose, though…he really was in his element with friends, family and lots of laughter and adventure.TRUTH BE TOLD, I’M STILL ABSORBING THE IMPACT HE HAD ON THE WORLDWHEN WERE YOU FIRST AWARE OF YOUR DAD’S CELEBRITY?It was always there—I don’t really have a specific story to point to on that. I suppose as a teenager I understood his influence a little more, but truth be told, I’m still absorbing the impact he had on the world.WHAT OTHER CELEBRITIES WERE IN YOUR FAMILY’S ORBIT? DID YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITES?I was a little too young to really know them, but I have fond memories of Dean Martin and Maureen O’Hara. Those two stick out as favorites.
The cast of the 1971 film Big Jake, including John Wayne, sons Ethan and Patrick, Maureen O'Hara, Bobby Vinton and Christopher MitchumThe starring cast of the 1971 Western Big Jake pose between takes. Ethan and father John pose at top with Maureen O’Hara. Seated from left to right are Patrick Wayne, Bobby Vinton and Christopher Mitchum (actor Robert Mitchum’s second son). Up front is Laddie (known in the film simply as “Dog”). (Picturelux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo)

WHAT DO RECALL ABOUT YOUR DEBUT SPEAKING ROLE IN BIG JAKE, IN WHICH YOU PLAYED JACOB “LITTLE JAKE” MCCANDLES, THE KIDNAPPED GRANDSON OF YOUR FATHER’S TITLE CHARACTER, JACOB MCCANDLES?Growing up, I was on location all the time, but really wasn’t a part of the team. On Big Jake I was on the team. I loved the whole cast, and it was an amazing experience.
John Wayne in a still from the 1972 Western The CowboysJohn Wayne plays a desperate rancher forced to hire boys in the 1971 Western The Cowboys, Ethan’s current favorite starring his father. (Screenprod/PhotoNonStop/Alamy Stock Photo)
DO YOU HAVE FAVORITES AMONG YOUR FATHER’S FILMS, WESTERNS OR OTHERWISE?Right now, The Cowboys. The Wil Andersen character is probably the most similar to how my father was with me in real life. Watching it now, it makes me feel very nostalgic.HOW DID YOU GET INTO STUNT WORK?After my dad died, Gary ”Whiz Kid” McLarty hired me to do stunt work on The Blues Brothers and gave me some direction at a rudderless time in my life.WHAT WERE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS AS AN ACTOR AND STUNTMAN?Meeting John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. That was amazing as a young man just starting out. I also really enjoyed working on The New Adam-12, because it was a pretty fast-paced production. I had a terrific co-star [Peter Parros] and really enjoyed the experience.DID YOU HAVE ANY QUALMS ON INHERITING OLDER BROTHER MICHAEL’S MANTLE AS HEAD OF THE FAMILY ENTERPRISES AND THE CANCER FOUNDATION?Yes, Michael was very smart and a great businessman. Though I wish we had had time to discuss the business a little more before he passed, I was excited by the challenge and the privilege of the position.OUR JOB IS TO SHARE HIS POSITIVE INFLUENCE WITH THE COUNTRY AGAIN…TO BRING HIS CORE VALUES AND CHARACTER BACK TO THE PEOPLEWHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH JOHN WAYNE ENTERPRISES?The main objective is to keep John Wayne’s name and essence alive. We’re hard at work on the John Wayne: An American Experience exhibit in Texas, fine tuning a retail line and creating partnerships with other companies that live his values. I think our job is to share his positive influence with the country again. So, basically, trying to bring his core values and character back to the people.WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE JOHN WAYNE CANCER FOUNDATION?When my father was dying, he asked us to use his name to help doctors find a cure, so that’s the big one. We’re working toward that by raising money for cancer research, funding a kids skin care program called Block the Blaze and creating John Wayne Fellowship Programs at a couple of great universities—the University of California, Irvine, and Texas Tech—so doctors can continue their surgical oncology education. There is actually a whole room dedicated to this work at John Wayne: An American Experience that I would encourage people to check out.
A preteen Ethan Wayne poses with his famous father, John WayneA preteen Ethan Wayne poses with his famous father on the set of the 1975 action film Brannigan. (Everett Collection Historical/Alamy Stock Photo)
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PERSONAL KEEPSAKE OF YOUR FATHER’S?Of course I do. But if I told you, it wouldn’t be personal anymore.WHAT LESSONS DID HE TEACH YOU THAT STAY WITH YOU?The first thing that comes to mind is “red, right, returning.” I’ve always been fascinated by anything I could drive, so I especially loved learning about Wild Goose and how it worked. Any fellow watermen reading this will know about that rule.WHAT IS YOUR LAST CLEAR MEMORY OF YOUR DAD?I was right there with him at the last part of his life, and I’ve got to say, he showed a lot of courage. The man had grit all the way to the end.HOW WOULD YOU LIKE HIM TO BE REMEMBERED?Well, he said himself how he’d like to be remembered: “Feo, fuerte y formal,” which translates to “ugly, strong and dignified.”WHAT IS JOHN WAYNE’S GREATEST LEGACY?There is no arguing that his film career was one of the greatest of all time, but I’d have to say the greatest legacy is the work we’re doing at the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. He’d be very proud of the strides we’re taking in the fight against cancer. WWDave Lauterborn, based in historic Harpers Ferry, W.Va., has been the managing editor of Wild West since 2008. For further reading he suggests John Wayne: The Life and Legend, by Scott Eyman, and Duke in His Own Words, with an introduction by Ethan Wayne.

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

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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!

 

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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.

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Gorgeous Jennifer Lopez

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