Profile of the Day: John Wayne

John Wayne

Do you have a favorite John Wayne film? On this day in 1907, the Western star was born in Winterset, Iowa.

John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison to Clyde Leonard Morrison and Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown. His middle name was soon changed to Mitchell after his parents decided to name their next son Robert. While growing up in Glendale, California, he acquired the nickname “Duke” which followed him the rest of his life.

After spending nearly a decade toiling in smaller roles, John got his big break in the 1939 Western Stagecoach. His role in the Oscar-winning film made him an instant star and marked the beginning of his box-office dominance. Some of his most successful films included Red River, Sands of Iwo Jima and True Grit, for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor.

Today John Wayne remains one of America’s greatest cultural icons.

Are you related to the Western star? Explore John Wayne’s family tree on Geni and discover how you’re connected!
 

View John Wayne’s Geni Profile