Early Life and Education of John Wayne: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of John Wayne. A timeline of key moments.

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

May 26, 1907: John Wayne's Birth

On May 26, 1907, Marion Robert Morrison, later known as John Wayne, was born. He became a popular American actor and icon, especially in Western and war movies.

May 30, 1907: Newspaper Reports Wayne's Birth Weight

On May 30, 1907, the Winterset Madisonian reported that Marion Robert Morrison, later known as John Wayne, weighed 13 lb at birth.

1915: Death of Wayne's Paternal Grandfather

In 1915, Marion Mitchell Morrison, John Wayne's paternal grandfather and a Civil War veteran, passed away.

1916: Family Moves to Glendale

In 1916, John Wayne's family moved to Glendale, California, where his father worked as a pharmacist.

1924: Played Football for Glendale High School

In 1924, John Wayne played football for the league champion Glendale High School team, highlighting his athletic involvement.

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".

1936: Voted for Franklin D. Roosevelt

John Wayne voted for Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1936 presidential election.

1937: Death of Wayne's Father

In 1937, John Wayne's father, Clyde Leonard Morrison, passed away.

1943: First Saw John Wayne in a Movie

In 1943, Joan Didion saw John Wayne for the first time in the movie 'War of the Wildcats'.

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.

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: Supported Thomas E. Dewey

In 1948, John Wayne supported Republican candidate Thomas E. Dewey.

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: Elected President of Motion Picture Alliance

In 1949, John Wayne was elected president of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals.

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.

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.

1957: Confrontation with Kirk Douglas

In 1957, John Wayne confronted Kirk Douglas at a party about playing Vincent van Gogh, expressing his view that actors should portray strong, tough characters.

1959: Khrushchev Requested to Meet Wayne

In 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev requested to visit Disneyland and meet John Wayne during his visit to the United States, demonstrating Wayne's widespread fame and recognition.

1960: Supported Richard Nixon

In 1960, John Wayne supported Vice President Richard Nixon in the presidential election, but expressed patriotism for John F. Kennedy after he won.

1964: Supported Barry Goldwater

In 1964, John Wayne was a staunch supporter of Barry Goldwater, and actively campaigned for him.

1964: Lung Cancer Diagnosis

In 1964, John Wayne was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery to remove his entire left lung and two ribs.

1966: Supported Ronald Reagan's Gubernatorial Campaign

In 1966, John Wayne supported his friend Ronald Reagan's campaign for Governor of California, showcasing his involvement in Republican politics.

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.

1970: Supported Ronald Reagan's Gubernatorial Campaign

In 1970, John Wayne supported his friend Ronald Reagan's campaign for Governor of California, showcasing his involvement in Republican politics.

1970: Death of Wayne's Mother

In 1970, Mary "Molly" Alberta Brown, John Wayne's mother, passed away.

May 1971: Playboy Interview Published

In May 1971, Playboy magazine published an interview with John Wayne in which he voiced his support for the Vietnam War and shared controversial opinions on social issues and race relations in the United States.

1971: Opposed Nixon's Trip to China

In 1971, John Wayne opposed President Richard Nixon's planned trip to China, reflecting his political views and concerns about the meeting.

1973: John Wayne Tennis Club Built

In 1973, John Wayne was encouraged by Pilar to build the John Wayne Tennis Club in Newport Beach, California.

1973: Invitation to receive The Brass Balls Award

In 1973, The Harvard Lampoon invited John Wayne to receive The Brass Balls Award, created in his "honor" after calling him "the biggest fraud in history".

1973: Alleged Confrontation at the Oscars

In 1973, during Marlon Brando's Oscar refusal speech delivered by Sacheen Littlefeather, John Wayne was allegedly restrained from forcibly removing her from the stage due to his anger over the speech's criticism of the film industry's treatment of American Indians.

January 15, 1974: Receipt of The Brass Balls Award

On January 15, 1974, John Wayne received The Brass Balls Award from The Harvard Lampoon, facing protests but also receiving a standing ovation. The event led to an internal investigation into the Army's involvement.

1975: Emperor Hirohito Requested to Meet Wayne

In 1975, during Emperor Hirohito's visit to the United States, he requested to meet John Wayne, recognizing him as a symbolic representation of America and its former enemy.

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.

1977: Attended Carter's Inaugural Ball

In 1977, John Wayne attended President Jimmy Carter's inaugural ball "as a member of the loyal opposition," demonstrating his engagement with American politics despite differing views.

April 9, 1979: Last Public Appearance

On April 9, 1979, John Wayne made his last public appearance at the Academy Awards ceremony, shortly before his death.

1995: John Wayne Tennis Club Sold

In 1995, the John Wayne Tennis Club was sold to Ken Stuart, becoming the Palisades Tennis Club.

May 26, 2007: Centennial Celebrations of Wayne's Birth

On May 26, 2007, the centennial of John Wayne's birth was celebrated with various events, including chuck-wagon suppers, concerts, a Wild West Revue, and the groundbreaking for the John Wayne Birthplace Museum and Learning Center in Winterset, Iowa.

2022: Investigation Finds Alleged Confrontation Unlikely

In 2022, an investigation determined that the alleged confrontation involving John Wayne at the 1973 Oscars, during Sacheen Littlefeather's speech, was unlikely to have occurred.