John Wayne (1907-1979), actor
I still don’t feel much like writing lately, a combination of too busy and too tired, but this occasion should not pass without comment.
It’s the 100th anniversary of John Wayne would have been 100 today, if he had not died at 72 of stomach cancer in June 1979. The sad thing is that Wayne was just an actor who played heroic roles and people view him as a historic figure. Ask about a real historical figure and most young people would have no idea.
I made a reference to General Sherman riding through Atlanta and someone close to 30 years of age had no idea who I was talking about, and this person had a college education.
Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison, had a career that spanned more than 170 films. He didn't win an Academy Award until 1970 for his performance in "True Grit." He was nominated twice earlier — for best actor in 1949's "Sands of Iwo Jima" and best picture for 1960's "The Alamo," which he directed and produced, according to an Associated Press story.