Career Timeline of John Wayne: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of John Wayne, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

John Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison and nicknamed "the Duke", was a prominent American actor renowned for his roles in Western and war films during Hollywood's Golden Age. Starring in 179 film and television productions from the silent era to the New Wave, he remained a top box-office draw for three decades, acting alongside many other major Hollywood stars. The American Film Institute recognized him as one of the greatest male stars in classic American cinema.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1926: Start of prolific film career

In 1926, John Wayne began his prolific film career, appearing in over 170 films by 1977.

1926: Minor Role in "Bardelys the Magnificent"

In 1926, John Wayne had a minor, uncredited role as a guard in the film "Bardelys the Magnificent", marking an early point in his film career.

1927: Football Player in "The Dropkick"

In 1927, John Wayne appeared with his USC teammates playing football in "The Dropkick", continuing his involvement in sports-related film roles.

1929: Football Player in "Salute"

In 1929, John Wayne appeared with his USC teammates playing football in "Salute", marking another early film appearance.

1929: On-Screen Credit as "Duke Morrison"

In 1929, John Wayne received on-screen credit as "Duke Morrison" for the only time in "Words and Music", marking a transition in his early career.

1930: Starred in Low Budget Westerns

From 1930, Wayne starred in many low-budget Westerns and serials for Monogram Pictures and Mascot Pictures Corporation.

1930: Football Player in "Maker of Men" (Filmed)

In 1930, John Wayne appeared with his USC teammates playing football in Columbia's "Maker of Men", marking an early film appearance.

1930: First Leading Role in "The Big Trail"

In 1930, John Wayne got his first leading role in Raoul Walsh's Western, "The Big Trail". It was an early widescreen film epic that became a box-office failure.

1930: Starred in "The Big Trail"

In 1930, John Wayne was cast in his first starring role in "The Big Trail", leading to the adoption of the screen name "John Wayne".

1931: "Maker of Men" is Released

In 1931, "Maker of Men" was released. John Wayne appeared in the film with his USC teammates playing football.

1931: Played a Corpse in "The Deceiver"

In 1931, John Wayne played a small role as a corpse in Columbia's "The Deceiver", marking a period of minor roles.

1933: Starred in "The Three Musketeers"

In 1933, John Wayne starred in the serial "The Three Musketeers", an updated version of the Alexandre Dumas novel set in North Africa.

1936: Listed in Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars Poll

In 1936, John Wayne was listed in the Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars poll.

1939: Breakthrough Role in "Stagecoach"

In 1939, John Ford's "Stagecoach" was released. The film was a success and made Wayne a mainstream star.

1939: Listed in Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars Poll and Box Office Poll

In 1939, John Wayne was listed in both the Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars poll and the Box Office poll.

1939: Starred in Low Budget Westerns

Until 1939, Wayne starred in many low-budget Westerns and serials for Monogram Pictures and Mascot Pictures Corporation.

1940: Appeared in Box Office Poll

In 1940, John Wayne appeared in the Box Office poll.

1941: Starred in "The Shepherd of the Hills"

In 1941, John Wayne starred in his first color film, "The Shepherd of the Hills", alongside Harry Carey.

1942: Starred in "Reap the Wild Wind"

In 1942, John Wayne appeared in "Reap the Wild Wind", his only film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, where he played a character with questionable values.

1942: Starred in "Flying Tigers"

In 1942, John Wayne starred in "Flying Tigers", where he portrayed an aviator.

1942: Starred in "Three Sheets to the Wind" Radio Series

In 1942, John Wayne starred in his own radio adventure series, "Three Sheets to the Wind", playing a detective who uses alcoholism as a mask.

1943: Toured U.S. Bases with the USO

In 1943, Wayne toured U.S. bases and hospitals in the South Pacific for three months with the USO during World War II.

February 1944: Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals

In February 1944, John Wayne took part in creating the conservative Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals.

1944: Toured U.S. Bases with the USO

In 1944, Wayne toured U.S. bases and hospitals in the South Pacific for three months with the USO during World War II.

1948: Starring in "Red River"

In 1948, Wayne starred in "Red River" as a cattleman driving his herd on the Chisholm Trail, adding to his prominent roles in Westerns.

1948: "Wake of the Red Witch" Release

In 1948, the film "Wake of the Red Witch" was released, from which Wayne later drew inspiration to name his production company.

1949: Appeared in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

From 1949 to 1957 and 1958 to 1974, John Wayne appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films.

1949: Sands of Iwo Jima Release

In 1949, "Sands of Iwo Jima" was released, marking a significant point in Wayne's career and contributing to his image as a quintessential movie war hero.

1949: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

In 1949, John Wayne appeared in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", one of nearly two dozen films he did with John Ford over 20 years.

1949: Nominated for Oscar for "Sands of Iwo Jima"

In 1949, John Wayne was nominated for an Oscar for "Sands of Iwo Jima", but lost to Broderick Crawford, who won for "All the King's Men", a role Wayne had turned down.

1950: Lost Role in "The Gunfighter"

In 1950, John Wayne lost the leading role in "The Gunfighter" to Gregory Peck due to a grudge against Columbia Pictures' chief, Harry Cohn.

1950: Took First Place in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

In 1950, John Wayne took first place in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll.

1951: Starred in "Flying Leathernecks"

In 1951, John Wayne starred in "Flying Leathernecks", playing an aviator.

1951: Took First Place in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

In 1951, John Wayne took first place in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll.

1952: The Quiet Man reference

In "The Quiet Man", 1952, Wayne mentions being six feet "four and a half" (194 cm).

1952: Co-Founded Batjac Productions

In 1952, John Wayne co-founded Batjac Productions, named after a fictional shipping company, to produce films for himself and other stars.

1952: Big Jim McLain Release

In 1952, John Wayne made "Big Jim McLain" to demonstrate his support for the cause of anti-communism.

1952: Starring in "The Quiet Man"

In 1952, John Wayne starred in "The Quiet Man" with Maureen O'Hara, one of his most memorable roles.

1953: Starred in "Island in the Sky"

In 1953, John Wayne starred in "Island in the Sky", playing an aviator.

1954: Starred in "The High and the Mighty"

In 1954, John Wayne starred in "The High and the Mighty", portraying a heroic copilot and earning widespread acclaim.

1954: Took First Place in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

In 1954, John Wayne took first place in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll.

1956: Batjac Productions Released "Seven Men From Now" and "Gun the Man Down"

In 1956, Batjac Productions released "Seven Men From Now" and "Gun the Man Down", expanding its production portfolio beyond John Wayne's starring roles.

1956: The Conqueror

In 1956, John Wayne portrayed Genghis Khan in "The Conqueror", which was panned by critics.

1956: Starring in "The Searchers"

In 1956, Wayne starred in "The Searchers", where he played a Civil War veteran whose niece is abducted by Comanches.

1957: Appeared in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

From 1949 to 1957 and 1958 to 1974, John Wayne appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films.

1957: The Wings of Eagles

In 1957, John Wayne appeared in "The Wings of Eagles", one of nearly two dozen films he did with John Ford over 20 years.

1957: Starred in "Jet Pilot"

In 1957, John Wayne starred in "Jet Pilot", playing an aviator.

1957: Starred in "The Wings of Eagles"

In 1957, John Wayne starred in "The Wings of Eagles", portraying an aviator.

May 14, 1958: I Married a Woman Los Angeles Opening

On May 14, 1958, John Wayne made a cameo appearance as himself in Hal Kanter's "I Married a Woman" at its Los Angeles opening.

1958: Appeared in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

From 1949 to 1957 and 1958 to 1974, John Wayne appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films.

March 18, 1959: Rio Bravo Premier

On March 18, 1959, Howard Hawks's "Rio Bravo" premiered, starring John Wayne in the lead role.

1959: Starring in "Rio Bravo"

In 1959, Wayne starred in "Rio Bravo" with Dean Martin, adding to his list of significant Western roles.

1960: The Alamo

In 1960, John Wayne directed, produced, and starred in "The Alamo" as Davy Crockett. He was nominated for an Oscar as the producer in the Best Picture category that year.

1961: The Comancheros

In 1961, John Wayne shared the lead with Stuart Whitman in Michael Curtiz's "The Comancheros".

May 23, 1962: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

On May 23, 1962, John Wayne starred in John Ford's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" with James Stewart.

1962: Starring in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"

In 1962, John Wayne starred in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", portraying a troubled rancher competing for a woman's hand.

February 20, 1963: How the West Was Won Segment

On February 20, 1963, John Wayne acted in a segment of "How the West Was Won" directed by John Ford.

1964: Circus World

In 1964, John Wayne played the leading role in Henry Hathaway's "Circus World" with Claudia Cardinale and Rita Hayworth.

February 15, 1965: The Greatest Story Ever Told

On February 15, 1965, John Wayne played a cameo role as a centurion in George Stevens's "The Greatest Story Ever Told".

1966: Cast a Giant Shadow

In 1966, John Wayne appeared in a cameo role for Melville Shavelson's "Cast a Giant Shadow" starring Kirk Douglas.

May 24, 1967: The War Wagon

On May 24, 1967, John Wayne played the lead in Burt Kennedy's "The War Wagon" with Kirk Douglas as the second lead.

1968: The Green Berets Co-direction

In 1968, John Wayne co-directed with Ray Kellogg "The Green Berets", the only major film made during the Vietnam War in support of the war.

1968: Declined Run for National Office and Supported Nixon

In 1968, John Wayne declined requests to run for national office and rejected an offer to be George Wallace's running mate. Instead, he supported Richard Nixon and addressed the Republican National Convention, solidifying his political stance.

June 13, 1969: True Grit Premier and Academy Award

On June 13, 1969, Henry Hathaway's "True Grit" premiered. For his role as Rooster Cogburn, John Wayne won the Best Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards.

1969: Academy Award for "True Grit"

In 1969, John Wayne received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a cantankerous one-eyed marshal in "True Grit".

1969: Wayne Responds to Criticism of Playing the Same Character

In a 1969 interview with Roger Ebert, John Wayne addressed criticisms of being typecast, emphasizing the diversity of his roles and the necessity of incorporating personal traits to maintain stardom.

June 24, 1970: Chisum Release

On June 24, 1970, Andrew V. McLaglen's "Chisum" started playing in cinemas, with John Wayne as a cattle ranch owner.

June 1971: Big Jake Debut

In June 1971, George Sherman's "Big Jake" made its debut. John Wayne played the role of an estranged father who must track down a gang who kidnapped his grandson.

1971: Took First Place in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

In 1971, John Wayne took first place in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll.

1972: The Cowboys release

In 1972, John Wayne starred in Mark Rydell's "The Cowboys".

February 7, 1973: The Train Robbers Release

On February 7, 1973, Burt Kennedy's "The Train Robbers" opened, featuring John Wayne alongside Ann-Margret, Rod Taylor and Ben Johnson.

1974: Appeared in Top Ten Money Makers Poll

From 1949 to 1957 and 1958 to 1974, John Wayne appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films.

1974: McQ

In 1974, John Wayne took on the role of the eponymous detective in John Sturges's crime drama "McQ".

1974: Film Critic Charles Champlin Comments on Wayne's Acting

In 1974, film critic Charles Champlin wrote about John Wayne, recognizing his significant impact on defining what it means to be a motion picture actor and highlighting his enduring presence on screen.

March 25, 1975: Brannigan Premiere

On March 25, 1975, Douglas Hickox's "Brannigan" premiered, with John Wayne playing a Chicago police lieutenant in London.

1976: The Shootist

In 1976, John Wayne starred in Don Siegel's "The Shootist", also starring Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard and James Stewart. It was Wayne's final cinematic role.

1976: Final Screen Performance in "The Shootist"

In 1976, John Wayne's final screen performance was in "The Shootist", where he played an aging gunfighter battling cancer.

1977: End of prolific film career

By 1977, John Wayne had appeared in over 170 films since 1926.

1985: John Wayne Cancer Foundation Founded

In 1985, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation was founded in honor of John Wayne to continue the fight against cancer, focusing on research, education, awareness, and support for patient care.

2005: Top money maker

According to Quigley Polling, John Wayne was named the top money maker as of 2005.

2006: "Louie and the Duke Classics" Inaugurated

In 2006, the "Louie and the Duke Classics" events were inaugurated by friends of John Wayne and his business partner, benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.