It’s been more than four decades since John Wayne, the legendary actor who embodied the spirit of the American West, stepped out of Hollywood’s spotlight for the last time. Yet today, his legacy continues to spark debate and fascination, especially after one of his sons, now 86, recently revealed new details that challenge how fans have always remembered “The Duke.” What could be so powerful that it changes his legacy today? The answer lies in Wayne’s remarkable journey—from humble beginnings to Hollywood icon, and the complicated man behind the myth.

From Marian Morrison to “The Duke”

Long before the world knew him as John Wayne, he was Marian Robert Morrison, born May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa. The local paper reported his arrival, noting he weighed a whopping 13 pounds at birth. Later, his parents changed his middle name to Michael after naming their next son Robert, but no official record was ever made. Legally, he remained Marian Robert Morrison, though he was often known as Marian Michael Morrison.

Wayne’s ancestry was a mix of Scottish, Scotch-Irish, English, and Irish, with his great-great-grandfather immigrating from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1799. His father, Clyde Morrison, was a pharmacist, and his mother, Mary Alberta Brown, raised him Presbyterian.

In 1916, the Morrisons moved to Glendale, California. Young Marian thrived at Glendale Union High School, excelling in sports, debate, and writing for the school paper. He was even president of the Latin Society and a football star. It was in Glendale that his nickname “Duke” was born—a local fireman noticed Marian was always accompanied by his big Airedale Terrier named Duke, and began calling the boy “Little Duke.” The name stuck, and Marian preferred it over his given name.

Hollywood’s Reluctant Hero

Wayne had ambitions to join the U.S. Naval Academy, but poor grades kept him out. Instead, he attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a football scholarship. A body surfing accident broke his collarbone, ending his athletic career and scholarship. Unable to afford tuition, he left USC and, through connections, found work in Hollywood as a prop boy and extra.

His big break came in 1930 when director Raoul Walsh spotted him moving furniture and cast him as the lead in The Big Trail. The studio gave him a new name—John Wayne. Although the film flopped, Wayne kept working, starring in dozens of low-budget westerns throughout the 1930s. He even became one of the first “singing cowboys,” though his voice was dubbed.

Wayne’s true breakthrough arrived in 1939 with John Ford’s Stagecoach, a role that transformed him from B-movie cowboy to Hollywood superstar. From then on, John Wayne was more than an actor—he was a legend, embodying toughness, grit, and the American spirit.

The Man Behind the Myth

John Wayne’s personal life was as complex as any film plot. He married three times, divorcing twice. His first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz, of Spanish-American descent, gave him four children: Michael, Mary Antonia (“Toni”), Patrick, and Melinda. Later, Wayne married Mexican actress Esperanza Baur, but their turbulent relationship ended dramatically. His third marriage was to Peruvian actress Pilar Pallete, with whom he had three more children: Aissa, John Ethan, and Marisa.

Most of Wayne’s children pursued careers in entertainment. His son Ethan appeared in films and starred in the 1990s revival of Adam-12, and even appeared on Pawn Stars to authenticate items from his father’s life. Wayne’s granddaughter, Jennifer Wayne, became a country music singer and member of the band Runaway June.

Family life, however, was not always easy. Rumors of affairs and jealousy plagued his marriage to Esperanza. One infamous night, she allegedly fired a gun at Wayne after a cast party. Wayne himself had well-known affairs, including a nine-year romance with actress Merle Oberon. After separating from Pilar in 1973, Wayne spent his final years with his secretary Pat Stacy, who later wrote a memoir about their relationship.

Offscreen, Wayne was known for his quirks—he began losing his hair in the 1940s and wore a toupee for the rest of his life. When a Harvard student teased him about it, Wayne replied with his trademark humor: “It’s real hair. Not mine, but real hair.” He enjoyed literature, especially Dickens and Conan Doyle, and was an accomplished chess player. Film critic Roger Ebert once recalled a chess game where Wayne announced his move aloud and turned it into a joke for everyone.

Wayne was also deeply social—a practicing Freemason and Shriner, spending time in Panama, where he purchased an island. In California, his prized yacht, the Wild Goose, became a fixture in Newport Beach Harbor.

The Duke’s Demons and Politics

Wayne’s larger-than-life persona masked private battles. A heavy smoker, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964 and had a lung removed. He encouraged others to get tested, popularizing the term “the big C” for cancer. Though he beat cancer once, his health struggles and reputation for hard drinking followed him throughout his later years.

Politically, Wayne was one of Hollywood’s most vocal conservatives. Fiercely anti-communist, he co-founded the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals and later served as its president. He openly supported the House Un-American Activities Committee and starred in Big Jim McLain as a HUAC investigator.

Yet Wayne’s politics were not always black and white. He voted for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 and expressed respect for Harry Truman, though he later became a staunch Republican and close ally of Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan. When John F. Kennedy was elected president, Wayne said, “I didn’t vote for him, but he’s my president, and I hope he does a good job.” His conservative reputation was so strong that in 1968, some Republicans urged him to run for national office. Wayne laughed it off, insisting people would never seriously consider an actor in politics—a notion Ronald Reagan would later disprove.

Wayne also used his films to promote his ideology, most notably The Green Berets (1968), which supported the Vietnam War. He briefly joined the John Birch Society but left when he felt they went too far, such as claiming water fluoridation was a communist plot.

His politics were never without controversy. In the 1970s, Wayne angered conservatives by supporting the return of the Panama Canal to Panama, citing personal ties—his first wife was Panamanian and he was friends with Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos. Then came the infamous 1971 Playboy interview, where Wayne made remarks about race and Native Americans that drew heavy criticism. Decades later, the interview resurfaced, sparking fiery debates and even calls to rename John Wayne Airport in Orange County. His son Ethan defended him, saying the comments were taken out of context, but the controversy has never fully disappeared.

Wayne’s Views on Women and Hollywood’s System

On screen, Wayne was the rugged Western hero, but off camera, his views on women often raised eyebrows. He dismissed the idea of women working as grips (crew members handling heavy equipment), arguing they weren’t physically capable, though he admitted many men weren’t either. Still, he believed women who did the work should be paid equally.

Reports claimed he mocked co-star Geraldine Page’s method acting and made cruel remarks about her appearance during Hondo (1953). Wayne’s films often reflected this bias, keeping women in two-dimensional roles. Even his compliments had undertones of sexism—he called Angie Dickinson “beautiful and sexy” before adding “and smart,” and referred to Maureen O’Hara as his only true female friend.

Wayne’s rise to stardom has also been criticized as a product of Hollywood favoritism and the studio system. Early in his career, he churned out dozens of B-westerns, making him recognizable but typecast. His big break came with Stagecoach (1939), thanks to director John Ford. Wayne leaned into his cowboy and war hero image, believing fans wanted “the Duke” above all else. He often admitted he was more of a reactor than an actor, preferring consistency over transformation. Debate continues: some say he played the same role in every film, others argue his strength was in that very consistency.

Final Days and Enduring Legacy

Wayne’s final years were marked by struggle and reflection. After surviving lung cancer, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the late 1970s. Ever the fighter, he volunteered for an experimental cancer vaccine trial, hoping to extend his life. Sadly, it was unsuccessful.

On June 11, 1979, John Wayne died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles at age 72. He was laid to rest at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach—a peaceful place near the ocean, fitting for a man who symbolized independence and strength.

In his final days, Wayne made a deeply personal decision: he converted to Roman Catholicism, as recalled by his son Patrick and grandson Matthew Munoz. For a man who had lived so publicly, this private spiritual choice was a side few ever knew.

Wayne once reflected on how he wished to be remembered—not as a perfect man, but as someone who stood firm, lived boldly, and always remained unapologetically himself. That wish, along with his larger-than-life screen image, has ensured his place in American history—not just as “The Duke,” but as a cultural symbol whose legacy continues to be debated and re-examined today.