John Wayne!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are celebrating the birthday of the incredible American and Hollywood icon, John Wayne! I was lucky enough to ask a few questions to the Executive Director of the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, Brian Downes! I also was able to ask John Wayne’s son; Patrick Wayne, one quick question!

John Wayne, born Marion Morrison in 1907, grew up far from the Hollywood spotlight in Winterset, Iowa, where he spent his early years before his family moved to California. He first dreamed of becoming a football player, earning a scholarship to USC, but an injury cut short that path. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs on film sets, where his rugged build and easygoing manner caught the attention of director John Ford. Before long, “the Duke,” as he became known, was riding across the screen in cowboy boots and a ten-gallon hat. His breakout role in “Stagecoach” (1939) launched him into stardom, and over the next four decades he became the face of the American Western.

Wayne starred in more than 170 films, spanning genres but most often rooted in frontier grit and patriotic heroism. From “The Searchers” (1956), considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made, to “True Grit” (1969), which earned him his long-awaited Academy Award, Wayne embodied larger-than-life characters who defined an era of Hollywood storytelling. His collaborations with John Ford produced some of cinema’s most enduring classics, while war dramas like “Sands of Iwo Jima” (1949) cemented his image as the all-American hero. Few stars were so closely tied to a genre as Wayne was to the Western, and his swaggering walk, gravelly voice, and commanding presence became instantly recognizable around the world.

Behind the tough image, Wayne lived a colorful life filled with lesser-known stories. He was an avid chess player who often challenged crew members between takes. He loved the ocean, owning a yacht called the “Wild Goose” where he entertained Hollywood friends. Despite his on-screen toughness, he had a soft spot for his children and was a devoted father. He battled cancer twice, coining the term “The Big C” after his first diagnosis in the 1960s, and ultimately passed away from stomach cancer in 1979 at the age of 72. His funeral drew thousands, and President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, honoring his place in American culture.

Today, fans can step back into his beginnings at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum in Winterset, Iowa. The museum preserves the modest four-room house where Wayne was born and features an impressive collection of memorabilia, including movie posters, costumes, scripts, and even personal letters. Visitors can also see the only life-size statue of Wayne on horseback, a reminder of his towering presence in film history. The museum not only celebrates his career but also keeps alive the mythic image of the Old West that Wayne came to symbolize. More than just a movie star, John Wayne’s legacy continues to shape how Americans and audiences worldwide imagine courage, grit, and the frontier spirit.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: What is the most important thing most people don’t know about John Wayne?

Brian Downes: What many may not know about John Wayne is how incredibly common he was. In 1977 I was working at the Chicago Tribune newspaper and requested an interview with the actor. To my great surprise he agreed and, better yet, our visit would be at his California home.  For the first five minutes or so it was intimidating but that vanished quickly.  We talked about everything under the sun; movies, families, politics, etc. Over the years I've learned that all intelligent people are curious and Mr. Wayne (that's what I called him) asked as many questions about me and my work as I asked about him.

Giancarlo: What is the most unique or rare item in your collection, and what makes it significant?

Brian Downes: That's a great question.  I'd have to say the Irish jaunting car (horse cart) which appeared from the beginning through the end of 1952's "The Quiet Man." It's perhaps 150 years old, it's one of a kind and John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara were both passengers. It's the only one, there's not another in the world.

Giancarlo: How does the museum decide which pieces go on display versus staying in storage?

Brian Downes: For the time being there is very little that is not on display.  The museum originally opened in 2015, then later expanded to double our size.  Therefore we are able to display 95% of our collection.

Giancarlo: What programs or exhibits are you most excited about in the near future?

Brian Downes: We are very excited about our latest acquisition, a 95-year-old Mitchell movie camera which was used on "The Big Trail" (1930) the first movie which starred John Wayne.

Giancarlo: What is the most important thing most people don’t know about your dad?

Patrick Wayne: He was a good father.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Brian Downes: The great Will Rogers once said "No man is great if he thinks he is." He did not say that to me but it's advice I've taken to my heart.  I think John Wayne believed that, too.

The Museum: https://johnwaynebirthplace.museum/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo