John Wayne was a legendary Hollywood actor, known for his roles in Western movies. However, not many people know that he was born Marion Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa, on May 26, 1907. His parents were Mary Alberta Brown and Clyde Leonard Morrison, a pharmacist.
John Wayne was of English, Ulster-Scots, and Irish ancestry. When he was young, his father developed a lung condition that required him to move his family to California. They tried ranching in the Mojave Desert, but unfortunately, the ranch failed, and the family had to move to Glendale, California.
In Glendale, John Wayne delivered medicines for his father and sold newspapers to make ends meet. He also had an Airedale dog named "Duke," which became the source of his own nickname. Despite the hardships, John Wayne did well in school both academically and in football.
After he narrowly failed to get admission to Annapolis, John Wayne went to the University of Southern California (USC) on a football scholarship from 1925-7. During his time at USC, Tom Mix, a famous Western movie star, got him a summer job as a prop man in exchange for football tickets. It was this job that sparked John Wayne's interest in acting.
John Wayne went on to star in more than 140 movies, including some of the most iconic Westerns of all time, such as "Stagecoach," "The Searchers," and "True Grit." Even after his death in 1979, John Wayne remains a beloved Hollywood icon.
In recent years, some of John Wayne's movies have become available on Netflix, allowing fans to watch his classic performances once again. These movies include "The Shootist," "The Sons of Katie Elder," and "Rio Bravo," among others. While there are not as many John Wayne movies on Netflix as some other classic movie stars, the fact that some of his most famous films are available to stream is a testament to his enduring popularity.
In conclusion, John Wayne's humble beginnings in Iowa and his journey to Hollywood stardom are a testament to his perseverance and dedication to his craft. His legacy lives on in his many classic movies, including some that are now available on Netflix for a new generation of fans to enjoy.
