John Wayne, born Marion Michael Morrison, was a Hollywood icon known for his rugged persona and roles that embodied American masculinity and heroism.
His career spanned over 170 films, mostly westerns, where his strong screen presence captivated audiences for decades. Wayne’s rise to fame began in the 1930s after transitioning from football to acting following a scholarship loss due to injury. He appeared in numerous B-movies before his breakthrough in John Ford’s 1939 classic *Stagecoach*, which solidified his place as a leading man. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Wayne starred in a string of hits like *Red River*, *The Quiet Man*, and *The Searchers*, cementing his reputation as a versatile actor. Offscreen, Wayne faced personal struggles, including a failed marriage, affairs, and his decision to avoid military service during World War II, which stirred controversy despite his prolific portrayals of war heroes. He also ventured into producing and directing, with projects like *The Alamo* and *The Green Berets*. In 1969, his role in *True Grit* earned him an Academy Award, further solidifying his legacy. As his health deteriorated due to lung cancer, he continued to act, with one of his final films, *The Shootist* (1976), poignantly mirroring his own battle with the disease. Wayne’s career left an indelible mark on the film industry, and he remains a symbol of American toughness and cinematic greatness.