John Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, was an American actor who became a beloved icon through his powerful performances in films produced during Hollywood's Golden Age.

His rugged charm, distinctive voice, and commanding presence made him a household name, especially in Western and war movies.

John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa, but he grew up in Southern California. He received the nickname "The Duke" as a child due to his love for a dog named Duke.

After losing his football scholarship to the University of Southern California following a bodysurfing accident, Wayne began working for the Fox Film Corporation. Initially, he appeared in small roles, but his breakthrough came with the Western film The Big Trail (1930).

John Wayne's career took off when he starred in John Ford's classic film Stagecoach (1939). This role catapulted him into mainstream stardom.

Over the years, John Wayne appeared in a total of 179 film and television productions. He became one of the top box-office draws for three decades.

John Wayne personified the nation's frontier heritage and became synonymous with the American cowboy. His other notable Western roles include:

• A cattleman in Red River (1948).
• A Civil War veteran searching for his abducted niece in The Searchers (1956).
• A cantankerous marshal in True Grit (1969), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

He starred alongside Maureen O'Hara in the romantic drama The Quiet Man (1952). In Rio Bravo (1959), he shared the screen with Dean Martin. His role in The Longest Day (1962) showcased his versatility.

John Wayne was married three times:

• Josephine Saenz (1933–1945).
• Esperanza Baur (1946–1954).
• Pilar Pallete (from 1954 until his death).

He had seven children, including Michael, Patrick, and Ethan.

In 1999, the American Film Institute recognized Wayne as one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema. His final screen performance was in The Shootist (1976), where he portrayed an aging gunfighter battling cancer.