"What It Was Really Like The Day John Wayne Died" Topic

"Here's a bit of trivia for you: Hollywood star John Wayne almost died twice while filming movies. Of course, those incidents didn't actually kill him; rather, he died on June 11, 1979, at the age of 72. Popularly known as "the Duke," Wayne made a huge name for himself as the heroic leading man in the Westerns and action movies of the day, wielding a certain kind of charisma and bravado that proved absolutely magnetic. But for all that Wayne might have appeared larger than life on the silver screen, he was just as human as his adoring fans. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 1964, managing to beat the illness and choosing to be open about it, becoming something of an icon when it came to cancer awareness. But that wasn't the end of that particular chapter, as Wayne was later diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1978, dying a year later…"

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Armand

What about Clayton Delaney?

Jimmy Buffett had a few words to say about it:

Now on the day that John Wayne died
I found myself on the continental divide
Tell me where do I go from here?
Think I'll ride into Leadville and have a few beers
I think of "Red River" or "Liberty Valance"
Can't believe the old man's gone

But now he's incommunicado
Leavin' such a hole in a world that believed
That a life with such bravado
Was takin' the right way home

I remember being sad that he died. And I remember being happy that he became Roman Catholic. He always seemed to respect the church in his movies.

I never met him, but I knew several people who had, and they all liked him. One guy I knew very well used to go to Catholic High School with some of his kids. He remembered John Wayne always showed up for his kids events, and never made himself a spectacle.

Another friend knew him from working at a fast food place, Jack in the Box. JW would come there and buy food and take it to his mother when he went to visit her. He said JW was always nice to the staff. I have met many celebrities and it is always good to hear of one who treats the regular people well; many don't.

I remember fishing in a small boat with my dad in Newport Bay, California, and seeing JWs boat, a converted mine sweeper, the Wild Goose at dock. Great looking ship.

He was a larger than life figure and a great American.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

Nice to hear about him being nice to ordinary people.

His films though: Meh!

Avatar of toxic masculinity Writ Large.

Thank goodness for Spaghetti Westerns.

like 'the quiet man'.

Mildbill I think that was one of his best. Seeing the area and places that it was filmed, was a highlight of my visits to Ireland. Honestly the area had not changed much since the filming. One of my favorite areas of Ireland. You can still see many of the places you see in the movie. Most are all over Connamara.

Yes it was sad when he died. You just could not believe he would.

"Toxic masculinity." Haven't heard that one in a while.

I read he disliked Clint Eastwood's westerns. It was not the style he promoted.
Just wish he and Clint did a western together! Now that would have been a western movie for all time.

Thanks

Armand

Not a fan of most of his movies and his posturing.

But according to the internets, June 11 1979 was a pretty pleasant day here in Boston — partly cloudy with a high of about 82º.
: 3

Dude…!

Armand

+1 to miniMo!
LOL, you left out that it was a Monday!

Always loved the story, no idea if it's true or not, that Mel Brooks offered him a part in 'Blazing Saddles'. After reading it he told Mel that 'There's no way in hell I'll be in that movie but I'll be first in line to see it'.

Ha!…

Armand