John Wayne Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Cause of Death, Movies, Children

Professionally known as John Wayne, Marion Robert Morrison was a renowned American actor who rose to fame during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

He earned a reputation as a cultural icon by starring in Western and war films.

Wayne’s captivating screen presence and rugged persona made him a highly sought-after performer, cementing his status as one of the most recognizable actors of his era.

Profile

• Full Name: Marion Robert Morrison
• Stage Name: John Wayne
• Born: 26, May 1907
• Date of death: June 11, 1979 (age: 72 years)
• Birthplace: Winterset, Iowa, United State
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 1.93m
• Parent: Clyde Leonard Morrison and Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown
• Siblings: Robert Emmett Morrison
• Spouse: Josephine Wayne (m. 1933–1945), Esperanza Baur (m. 1946–1954) and Pilar Pallete (m. 1954–1979)
• Children: 7
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $7 million

Early Life And Education

Marion Robert Morrison was born on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa, to Clyde Leonard Morrison, a pharmacist, and Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown. Wayne had one brother, Robert Emmett Morrison.

Marion Robert received his education at Glendale Union High School and the University of Southern California. He was of Scottish, Scotch-Irish, English, and Irish descent and practised Christianity as his religion.

Career

John Wayne, one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, began his film career in the late 1920s at Fox Film Corporation, where he worked as an extra and a prop man.

His breakthrough came with his first leading role in The Big Trail (1930). However, his performance in Stagecoach (1939) propelled him to stardom, establishing his enduring image as a rugged Western hero.

Throughout the 1940s, Wayne cemented his reputation with standout roles in films such as Red River (1948) and Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), demonstrating a versatility that extended beyond the Western genre.

The following decades solidified his legacy with acclaimed performances in The Quiet Man (1952), The Searchers (1956), and Rio Bravo (1959). He further expanded his creative horizons by directing The Alamo (1960), a project that underscored his commitment to storytelling.

Wayne’s portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in True Grit (1969) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, cementing his place among Hollywood’s elite.

Over his career, he appeared in over 175 films, tackling roles in Westerns, war dramas, and comedies while embodying an unparalleled screen presence.

Wayne’s final film, The Shootist (1976), poignantly reflected his storied career. In his later years, he dedicated himself to philanthropy, focusing on cancer awareness after his diagnosis.

John Wayne passed away on June 11, 1979, leaving an indelible mark on cinema and American culture. His name remains synonymous with the Western genre and the spirit of classic Hollywood.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards
• Golden Globe Awards
• People’s Choice Awards

Social Media

John Wayne does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

John Wayne was married three times throughout his life. His first marriage was to Josephine Alicia Saenz on June 24, 1933. The couple had four children: Michael, Mary, Antonia, Patrick, and Melinda. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1945, mainly due to Wayne’s demanding career and personal differences.

Wayne’s second marriage was to Esperanza Baur, beginning on January 17, 1946, and ending in divorce in November 1953. Their relationship was turbulent, marked by emotional conflicts and allegations of infidelity, though they had no children together.

His third and final marriage was to Pilar Pallete on November 1, 1954. They had three children: Aissa, Antonia, and John Ethan. This marriage lasted until Wayne passed in 1979 and was his most extended and enduring partnership.

Filmography

• The Big Trail (1930)
• Stagecoach (1939)
• Dark Command (1940)
• The Shepherd of the Hills (1941)
• Flying Tigers (1942)
• Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
• The Fighting Seabees (1944)
• They Were Expendable (1945)

Net Worth

John Wayne’s estimated net Worth at the time of his death in 1979 was approximately $7 million—a substantial amount for the era. This wealth was primarily the result of his prolific and highly successful acting career, which spanned over five decades and included more than 175 films.