When and where was John Wayne born?
Marion Robert Morrison entered the world on the 26th of May 1907 at 224 South Second Street in Winterset, Iowa. The local newspaper reported his birth weight as 13 pounds.
Questions about John Wayne
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Marion Morrison get the name John Wayne?
Director Raoul Walsh cast him in The Big Trail released in 1930 after seeing him move furniture. Studio head Winfield Sheehan approved the screen name John Wayne instead of the suggested Anthony Wayne.
What political activities did John Wayne engage in during the Cold War era?
John Wayne joined the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in February 1944 and served as its president starting in 1949. He supported Senator Joseph McCarthy and produced The Green Berets in 1968 which supported the Vietnam War effort.
When did John Wayne die and what were the circumstances surrounding his death?
He died of stomach cancer two months later on the 11th of June 1979 after making his final public appearance at the Academy Awards ceremony held the 9th of April 1979. He was 72 years old when he passed away at UCLA Medical Center.
Which awards and honors has John Wayne received posthumously or during his lifetime?
President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously on the 9th of June 1980. He received the Congressional Gold Medal on the 26th of May 1979 during his lifetime.