Wayne, John

Wayne, John (1907-1979), professional name of Marion Michael Morrison, American film actor, born in Winterset, Iowa, and admired as the archetype of rugged, honest American manhood. Wayne was a star athlete at the University of Southern California when he began playing bit parts in films. In 1930 he was cast in his first leading role, in The Big Trail; leading roles in many other minor films followed. His big break came in 1939, when he recorded Stagecoach; thus began one of the most phenomenal careers in film history. Wayne was a top star for 40 years. Among his many other films were Fort Apache (1948) and The Quiet Man (1952), both directed by John Ford as was Stagecoach; The Alamo (1960) and The Green Berets (1968), both of which Wayne produced, directed, and starred in and which clearly convey his conservative philosophy; and True Grit (1969), in which he portrayed Rooster Cogburn, a role that brought him an Academy Award as best actor of the year.