Rare Pictures of John Wayne Through The Years Tell The Whole Truth About The Duke

Marion Mitchell Morrison, popularly known as John Wayne, was a very big name in Hollywood back then. Audiences often saw him give life to characters like cavalrymen and cowboys on the big screen. Although many people knew him as a talented actor, there was actually more to him than met the eye.

He had hobbies that many people didn’t know of and he also became a famous father to a lot of kids, thanks to several marriages. Let’s take a look at some rare photos of John Wayne over the years and uncover some facts most people didn’t really know about him.

He The Proud Composure Of A Cowboy From The Start

John Wayne was only a young boy back in the 1910s and as you can see from the photo above. Fashion during that time was way different from how it is now. It seemed like he was in the middle of playing with his toy wagon when the photo was taken.

The older boy behind him is unidentified but it probably was just a friend of his since he didn’t have any older siblings. His only brother, Robert Emmet Morrison, was four years younger than him. The older boy appeared to be chums with Wayne based on their comfortable stance and smile.

Looks Like The Young “Duke”-To-Be Had An Itchy Trigger Finger…

The photo above was taken sometime in 1915 so actor John Wayne was around eight years old at the time. The adorable baby boy beside him is his younger brother Robert. The two share the same adorable features and in the photo, they appear to be wearing winter clothes.

The two boys were by the prairies when the shot was taken and it seems like the fence that they were sitting on wasn’t really meant to be sat on. It even looks like they were made to strike a nice pose. Nonetheless, whoever took the snap surely captured them at such a cute moment.

Before He Became Legend He Was Just An Ordinary West Coast Boy

John Wayne was originally from Winterset, Iowa but, by the time he was a teenager, he and his family already moved to a place in Glendale, California. He lived a normal life as a high school student and he apparently did well in his academics and sports.

The photo above shows him at fifteen years old when he posed with an unidentified friend. Judging by their stance, the other boy could have been one of John’s close friends at that time. But his number one best friend at that time was his dog named Duke.

John Wayne’s Legacy Lives On In His Grandson Brendan

The Wayne legacy is truly still alive in the Hollywood scene because Brendan Wayne, who is the grandson of John Wayne, is actively pursuing acting these days. His mother was the late actress Mary Antonia Wayne LaCava who was one of the four kids John had with first wife Josephine. His father is Donald LaCava.

Brendan’s first-ever acting role was in the show Angel back in 2001 and he stayed on since then. In recent years, you might have seen him on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, The Divide, and Railroad to Hell: A Chinaman’s Chance.

His Football Dreams Were Cut Short By A Serious Injury

By 1926, John Wayne was already nineteen years old and he definitely grew up to be such a handsome young man. He always loved football and when he went to the University of Southern California, he was a part of their football team.

He majored in pre-law and he was a member of fraternities like Sigma Chi and Trojan Knights. The photo above was taken at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during his USC days. John had an athletic scholarship but he later lost it after a collarbone injury hindered him from playing. He eventually dropped out and didn’t finish his studies.

John Wayne Rides Out For The First Time In The Big Trail

After he realized that his football career was over, John Wayne slowly got into show business. He first made money by working for the Fox Film Corporation and he spent years settling for very small roles. His first notable role in his acting career was on The Big Trail in 1930.

In 1932, he starred in The Big Stampede and the photo above was actually one of the scenes he had in the movie. Many women already started to swoon after him during this time and you can see here that he was the type of guy who looked good no matter what he wore.

Wayne’s First Marriage (Of Three)

Photographed above is John and his first wife Josephine Saenz during their wedding day back in June 1933. As you can see, he looked very handsome during his big day while Josephine was simply breathtaking. Many of you might notice that Josephine preferred a more conservative outfit that day.

Not many details are known about Josephine’s childhood or background. She seemed to have preferred living a quiet and private life over the years. All we know is that her father, Dr. Jose Saenz, was working in Los Angeles as a Panamanian Consul.

A Happy Family By the Beach, At Least For A Time…

John Wayne and Josephine were very happy together when they were newlyweds. Their first child, Michael, was born in November 1934 and you can just see how adorable he was. John and Josephine were still in their 20s but they might have taken to parenthood quite easily.

After Josephine, he was known for marrying Mexican actress Esperanza Baur. Their marriage ended really badly because Esperanza accused John of cheating on her with actress Gail Russell. When they officially got divorced, it didn’t take long before John was able to find love again and get into a new marriage.

He Had A Fame As Quite The Ladies’ Man

John Wayne had many friends in Hollywood and one of them was Barbara Read. She was a popular actress during the ’30s and ’40s and she was apparently ten years younger than Wayne. The two of them were together during the Los Angeles Harbor Day celebration in 1937.

They were on a private yacht that day though it was never reported that they dated. Some might have assumed that something went on between them just by looking at this picture of them together. Barbara passed away back in 1963 and the cause of death was said to be a suicide.

Wayne Was A Great Father And Cherished Time Spent With His Kids

John Wayne was a very good father and he had spent a lot of time with his kids. Here, he’s sharing some newspaper stories with his first four kids – Melinda, Patrick, Toni, and Michael. Michael seemed like he was having a bad day while Toni was enjoying watching things from a distance.

Melinda and Patrick, on the other hand, were the younger ones, so it was likely that they were the ones enjoying this time with their dad the most. The picture was taken some time in 1942, a few years before John and Josephine separated. If this was done by a professional photographer, then he did a fine job capturing this endearing moment.

His Former Home In Newport Beach Was Listed For $3.95 Million

John Wayne was able to invest in real estate with such ease back then, thanks to his successful career. Here we have the former property he owned in Newport Beach, California. It didn’t look like that when Wayne stayed in it because the estate was actually renovated in recent years.

John’s favorite hang-out place in the house was apparently the library.  There also used to be a swimming pool in the backyard but it was later removed. The house was placed on the market back in 2013 with a $3.95-million asking price.

They Parted Ways With His First Wife After 12 Years And 4 Kids Together

John Wayne was able to experience walking down the aisle and saying his ‘I Dos’ thrice in his life. His first marriage was to Josephine Alicia Wayne Saenz. The photo above was taken in Palm Springs in the late 1920s so they were both probably in their early 20s.

John and Josephine officially tied the knot in 1933 but they decided to get a divorce after twelve years of marriage. They had a total of four kids together. Their son Michael became a producer while their son Patrick pursued acting.

He Got Along Very Well With His Fellow Actors

Back in 1948, John Wayne played Captain Kirby York in the movie, Fort Apache. The film had made around $4.4 million in today’s money value. The photo above was taken during one of the filming days and you can see John talking to actors Shirley Temple and John Agar.

Fort Apache was actually one the last few movies Temple did before she entered an early retirement while Agar continued to pursue acting until the ’90s. Agar passed away back in 2002 while Temple took her last breath back in 2014.

Wayne And His Son On A Cruise To Hawaii

You have already seen that John Wayne was hanging out on a luxury yacht back then but of course, being a celebrity, he traveled everywhere and sometimes, on board bigger boats like this cruise ship. The photo was taken when he and his son Michael took a cruise ship going to Hawaii back in 1954.

You can easily tell how ‘vintage this photo is judging by the old camera that Michael is holding in the picture. Back then, it wasn’t that easy to capture random moments but we guess that made everything more precious to look back on.

A Perfect “Italian” Gentleman On His Vespa

John Wayne had worked hard at his craft and the money he earned had made him a very wealthy man. Of course, he wasn’t just all work because he also knew how to enjoy his fortune. He had traveled a lot in the past and one of the places he got to visit was Rome, Italy.

Here, he’s looking dapper and very stylish as he leans by a Vespa scooter while in Rome in 1957. Wayne was such a photogenic man and he didn’t need to put that much effort to look good in his photos.

Wayne’s Custom  1975 Pontiac Grand Safari Station Wagon

John Wayne did not only live in a nice house and enjoy the luxury of having his own boat for he also got to drive some very nice cars. One of his eye-catching rides was a 1975 Pontiac Grand Safari Station Wagon. He reportedly spent some extra cash to have his Station Wagon customized by Barris Kustoms.

We’re sure his Station Wagon was one of his favorite rides. The Wagon ended up being auctioned off after Wayne passed away. Its new owner must have been really happy that he snagged Wayne’s former wheels.

Taking a Break From Filming For Some Candy With His Daughter Aissa

During the late ’50s, John Wayne was already well known in Hollywood and he already possessed an impressive acting portfolio. The photo above was taken when he was on the set of the film The Alamo back in 1959.

The adorable little girl beside him is his daughter Aissa Wayne. John had her with his last wife, Pilar Palette. The father-daughter duo was enjoying sharing a pack of gum in between takes. We just don’t think that smoking right when his daughter was on his lap was a good idea.

Third Marriage Was The Charm

John Wayne’s third and last marriage to Pilar Palette was actually the longest marriage he had because it lasted for about nineteen years. Pilar loved being on a boat with her husband and, much like a celebrity, her makeup and hairdo were always on-point wherever she went.

Sources said she really loved playing tennis and she was actually one of the reasons why John put up the John Wayne Tennis Club. Today, the tennis club is already called the Palisades Tennis Club. John and Pilar separated in 1973 but they were never able to get formally divorced.

A Tough Guy On-Screen But A Softie With His Kids

Here we wee Wayne and his daughter Aissa on The Alamo set. Aissa has a lot of photos with her father on set because she actually appeared in the movie. Although she experienced acting at an early age, she didn’t pursue it when she got older.

Aissa is already 63 years old today and she is far from being a Hollywood star like her father. She ended up pursuing a law career and became a Los Angeles-based attorney. She is known for endorsing US President Donald Trump during the 2016 Presidential Election’s Republican primaries.

Combining Donovan’s Reef With Some Quality Family Time

This picture proves just how much John Wayne loved going on cruise ships, probably more than going on road trips. This was taken back in 1962 when he went to Honolulu, Hawaii to start filming for the movie, Donovan’s Reef. His then-wife Pilar and daughter Aissa came with him that year.

John’s other kids also came on the trip as well but little Aissa was the only one ready for a photo-op. While filming, Pilar and the kids probably enjoyed a family vacation and did a lot of sight-seeing. In case you didn’t know, Pilar also used to act but she retired when she married Wayne and had kids with him.

He Was A Chess Fanatic!

Another beautiful place that John Wayne had visited was Majorca, Spain. He was able to rent a private yacht for himself when he was on that trip. The girl he is playing chess with is his daughter Melinda, his youngest child with first wife Josephine Saenz. And speaking of chess, John was apparently an avid player of the game and he brought a set with him almost everywhere.

The other girl beside Melinda is named Peggy and she is known for being the first wife of John’s son Patrick. Peggy and Patrick got married back in 1965 but they decided to go their own ways thirteen years later.

Oh Captain, My Captain!

With the massive earnings that John Wayne had enjoyed in his career, it was not really a surprise that he was able to buy himself his own boat. He actually had a boat called The Wild Goose and he often took his family on it.

Photographed above is him with his son Ethan on the boat back in 1965. Ethan seemed like he idolized his dad so much that he eventually followed in his footsteps and continued his legacy in the acting scene. Ethan’s most recent TV appearance was on, To Tell the Truth in 2018.

Good Looks Ran In The Family

Ethan and Patrick Wayne might have different mothers, but they were still able to bond as true brothers. John often made sure his sons got to spend some quality time together on trips and the nice thing was everybody got along. Patrick and Ethan also knew how to pick stylish clothes like their father.

John was in his late 50s when this was snapped. Hence, you can definitely see the effects that time had on him. Although, it is nice to see that he always knew how to fix himself up well even if he had reached quite an age already.

His Loved Fishing

John Wayne didn’t only just lounge around whenever he was on a boat for he actually did a lot of fishing, too. Abalone diving and snorkeling were also some of his favorite water activities. As you can tell from his outfit here, he was always dressed to impress even if he was at sea and in the middle of nowhere.

Whoever took the photo above had that perfect timing – John appears to have caught something with his bait and is trying to hoist it up to have a look. Judging by how he was beaming, it seemed like fishing that day had just made his day!

John Always Showed His Playful Side

Aissa was not the only one who got to see her famous father in action on set. Son Ethan got a taste of his dad’s playfulness too, and we’re guessing more than once. Ethan was only three years old in the photo and we could hear him shrieking with delight as he was about to be tossed into the water – or so it seemed.

But you can see John’s protective nature as he made sure to be supporting Ethan’s leg with his hand. Ethan probably didn’t know how to swim yet during that time so it was likely that his dad had no intention of tossing him in the first place.

With Son Ethan On The Set Of  The Sons of Katie Elder 

This is another photo of John and Ethan Wayne on the set of  The Sons of Katie Elder back in the ’60s. From the looks of it, Ethan as a boy enjoyed being with his father in between takes. Here, John appears distracted by something as little Ethan’s gaze is transfixed at something or someone else.

Maybe he was watching production staff getting the set ready? Or perhaps someone was making faces at him? We guess we’ll leave that to your imagination! The acting DNA wasn’t the only thing that Ethan shared with his father for he apparently also loved the outdoors and the ocean.

He Spent A Lot Of Time On The Road

This picture might make a nice feature on celebrity a magazine, but it’s, in fact, a candid photo of John Wayne as he was hanging out in his trailer. He appeared to be immensely enjoying a cup of coffee while having a good conversation with the driver.

Having cozy trailers is essential in Hollywood since this is where actors spend most of their time when the camera is not rolling. These days, trailers are very high-tech and some celebrities even go the extra mile and have the interior of their trailer fully customized.

Pete Stein, The Wild Goose’s Captain, Hit The Bottle Often (But Wayne Didn’t Mind)

Here is John Wayne on his boat with son Patrick and young ones, Ethan and Marisa. The family was on board The Wild Goose simply to enjoy family time while sailing in high waters. The guy on the right sitting on the ledge is the boat’s captain, Pete Stein. Stein apparently loved drinking booze and John was completely okay with it.

However, The Wild Goose already sustained serious damages at one point because of his drinking. Stein eventually passed away due to a heart attack. He was reportedly drinking until he took his last breath. We’re sure the Wayne family mourned when they got the news about Stein’s passing.

Wayne Was A Family Man Through And Through

John Wayne and Pilar Palette really made such a good-looking couple. They were both very stylish and they always knew how to be presentable at any time of the day.  This image shows you how family life was like for them back then.

Marisa and Ethan Wayne are the two young kids cuddling up with John while Aissa is the young teenager in the photo. This must have been one of those moments when the family was simply enjoying having breakfast together. The girls were in nice dresses and the boys in outdoor outfits so they probably had somewhere to go after.

On An APC Going To Receive A Harvard Lampoon Award

Back in 1974, John Wayne was seen on a huge Army personnel carrier at Harvard Square. He was on his way to personally receive the inaugural Brass Balls Award of the humor publication, Harvard Lampoon. This event happened a year after he and Pilar separated. He didn’t have that much acting role that year and he actually only starred in one movie titled McQ.

Although, he did guest as himself on shows like Maude, Parkinson, and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Bob Hope. John didn’t really stay single for long because he began a romantic affair with Pat Stacy who was once his secretary.

Marisa Wayne At A Baseball Game With Her Old Man

Back in 1977, John Wayne took her daughter Marisa to a baseball game. They both attended that Celebrity Baseball Game that was held at the University of Southern California. Marisa looked a lot like her father and she had such a charming smile.

The father-daughter duo loved each other so much that they were often seen hugging each other wherever they go. Marisa makes a living through her business career but her beauty could have easily made her a Hollywood star like her father. Now in her 50s, she’s been a married woman since 2005.

The Life of Any Party

As you can see above, John Wayne seemed like he was often the life of the party.  The photo shows him saying something that gave everyone a good laugh. Specific details about the photo are undisclosed but it looks like it was taken during the late ’70s.

John lived a long and fruitful life but he sadly passed away back in 1979 at 72 years old. His cause of death was said to be stomach cancer. Some of you might not have known this, but he actually took part in a cancer vaccine study. He has truly remained an icon in Hollywood even if he has been long gone.

A Great Dad Even In His Final Years

In this 1976 snapshot, John Wayne has already reached quite an age because of the lines on his face and his graying hair. Meanwhile, his son Ethan Wayne is already a teenager here. Looking at the two, it was obvious that Ethan inherited his father’s good looks.

Since both the father and son duo loved the ocean, it wasn’t really a surprise anymore that they had many photos together on a boat. If you look closely, you will see that the T-shirt Ethan is wearing even has his initials on it.