John Wayne as the American Cowboy

John Wayne as the American Cowboy

When I think of an American cowboy in my mind I see a picture of John Wayne mounted high on his horse in a desert setting riding out into the sunset. His name is synonymous with the western film genre. John Wayne’s characters are known world-wide as American symbols that embody the true characteristics of how Americans ought to be. His characters were always so tough, courageous, and upstanding. For this and other reasons I consider the actor, John Wayne, to have had a tremendously positive impact on our and other societies around the world. To fully appreciate Wayne’s impact, it is important to closely examine where he came from and to consider the factors of his upbringing that influenced his development.

John Wayne was born Marion Michael Morrison in Winterset, Iowa on May 26, 1907. At the age of six, his father Clyde Morrison became ill and decided to move the family to southern California. The family lived for a short stint of time on a eighty acre farm, there Marion learned how to handle horses and often played cowboy. They then moved to the city of Glendale, California where Clyde opened a drugstore. In Glendale, Marion was exposed to film making for the first time. He saw outdoor scenes being shot at the Triangle Studios. As if to consequently further influence him, his family’s drugstore happened to be in the same building as a silent film theater. Marion saw movies at the theater four to five times a week for free. It was also at Glendale that Marion was given his infamous nickname of “Duke.” Despite the royal and noble connotations of the name Duke, Marion received it from his Airedale terrier also named Duke.

Marion was an “A” student, president of the Latin society...

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...harine Hepburn. The film was Hepburn’s first western.

John “The Duke” Wayne died of lung cancer on June 11, 1979 at the age of 72. In a career of over 50 years, he left us with more that 200 films. His films taught us what it truly means to be American: to speak out for what you believe in, to be bold and courageous, to be patriotic, to fight to preserve freedom and liberty, and to love your country. There is no question that John Wayne was a positive influence on society, as his message transcended social and political borders. He has become a household name, and to many an example of a rare breed of true Americans. When many people around the world think of a American, they too see a picture of John Wayne mounted high on his horse in a desert setting riding out into the sunset.

The day he died, a Tokyo newspaper ran the headline, “Mr. America passes on.”