Western star John Wayne remains one of Hollywood’s most popular stars, having appeared in nearly 150 films and TV shows throughout his illustrious career. The 1972 Academy Award for Best Actor in True Grit was the highlight, with the star being nominated multiple times throughout his time in Tinsel Town. It culminated when the American Film Institute hailed Wayne as one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema in 1999.
Born in Winterst, Iowa, he achieved unparalleled success, once described as “the embodiment to millions of the United States’ frontier heritage”.
Away from the glare of the camera, Wayne was known for his sharp intelligence and not being afraid to share his opinions.
This was especially true of those he was closest to, including screen legend Kirk Douglas.
Discovered accounts show that Wayne was particularly critical of Douglas after seeing him in the 1956 biographical film, Lust for Life.
Lust for Life has been well received by critics and movie fans, and holds an 85 percent positive rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
But Wayne was unhappy with Douglas and his decision to play the main role.
During a discussion with James Bowden and Ron Miller, in their conversations with Classic Film Stars, Douglas described Wayne’s “famous story” as he provided his own review of the film.
He said, “When I played Van Gogh in Lust for Life, we had a special for him, and John Wayne was there.
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It wouldn’t be the only time Wayne has criticized those who share his profession, with the likes of Hollywood legends Gene Hackman and Clark Gable also on the receiving end.
She wrote in her 1991 book John Wayne: My Father, Daughter of the Star Issa remembers the poison in which two-time Academy Award winner Wayne Hackman saw it.
She wrote: “When it came to his cinema contemporaries, I only once heard him speak of any real poison.
“Gene Hackman could never have appeared on screen without my father playing with his performance.
“I wish I could tell you why Hackman was so harshly criticized, but he didn’t go into details.
“Although it is only speculation, had my father lived to see more of his work, I think his view of Mr. Hackman would have changed.
“At the time, my father called Hackman the worst actor in town. He’s terrible.”
Issa also noted in the book that Wayne was not a fan of Gone with the Wind star Gable, who claimed to be “very handsome in character” but “a fool.”
She continued: “My dad called Gable handsome but stupid at least four or five times, and now I’m wondering if he has anything to do with my dad’s friend John Ford.
During the filming of Mugambo, Ford and Gable clashed again and again, and the ensuing feud intensified for years. In my father’s way of thinking, disloyalty to allies, and support of their enemies in any way, was expressly forbidden.
“If Clark Gable faced John Ford, my father’s law required John Wayne to stand by his old friend.”
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