John Wayne Biography

John Wayne	Marion Michael Morrison Born: 1907-05-26 Birthplace: Winterset, IA Died: 1979-06-11 Location of Death: Los Angeles, CA Cause of Death: Cancer - Lung Race: White Religion: Roman Catholic Field: Actor Famous for: The Duke
Field: Actor

John Wayne (May 26, 1907 - June 11, 1979) was an American actor whose career spanned the evolutionary phase of American cinema, appearing in silent movies and "talkies" alike. Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison, Robert changed to Michael in childhood; nicknamed Duke after his Airedale dog. He was born in Winterset, Iowa, and died in Los Angeles, California.

He appeared in many strong masculine ("macho") roles in western films and war films, but he also had a down-to-earth sense of humour which allowed him to appear in a pink bunny suit for an episode of "Rowan and Martin's Laugh In", as well as in comedy movies. According to the Internet Movie Database Wayne played the male lead in 142 of his film appearances, an as yet unsurpassed record. He had a long collaboration with director John Ford.

Despite his prolific output John Wayne won only a single Best Leading Actor Oscar, and that was for the 1969 movie True Grit. He received the nomination for the Best Leading Actor in Sands of Iwo-Jima, and as producer for Best Picture for The Alamo.

John Wayne died on June 11, 1979 and was interred in the Pacific View Memorial Park cemetery in Corona del Mar, California, USA.

There is an airport named after him, John Wayne Airport, in Orange County, California.