John Wayne is one of the best-known movie stars ever, having appeared in 179 movie and TV productions. He is particularly remembered for his roles as the rugged hero in Westerns and war movies. His first breakthrough role was in the 1939 movie Stagecoach, and he continued to be considered a box-office draw for three decades.
Stagecoach
As mentioned above, the 1939 movie Stagecoach was John Wayne’s breakthrough role and a classic Western. Directed by John Ford, the movie was a box-office hit, and the character of the Ringo Kid was praised for mixing vulnerability with John Wayne’s ruggedness, making him hard to forget and opening up new roles for the actor.
Red River
Red River showed John Wayne in a more complex role, with his character Thomas Dunson being more morally questionable than others he has played. He rules over his ranch with an iron fist, threatening to whip one of the workers and attempting to kill him when the man draws a gun. Wayne still managed to get audiences on his side and showed his acting ability by having a change of heart in the final scenes.
The Quiet Man
In an unusual departure from his roles in Westerns, John Wayne stars in The Quiet Man as Sean Thornton, an American returning to his ancestral home in Ireland. It was a huge success, winning two Academy Awards and being nominated for five more.
The Searchers
The Searchers stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who is hunting for his abducted niece. He travels across state boundaries with his adoptive nephew to follow the trail. This movie is unusual for its depiction of Edwards as a man consumed by his obsession with revenge against his niece’s kidnappers, even hinting that he is more interested in his righteous anger than rescue.
Rio Bravo
Rio Bravo sees John Wayne play Sheriff John T. Chance in a fast-paced plot that mixes action and camaraderie. Wayne’s character is tough yet fair, a classic example of his tough law enforcer roles. This Western movie has him defending the jailhouse against a powerful rancher’s gang with help coming from unlikely sources.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Adapted from a short story by Western writer Dorothy M. Johnson, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was both a financial and critical success. Wayne’s character, Tom Doniphon, is shown as a tough but kind man who helps a young lawyer out when he runs afoul of the local gang.
Hatari!
The 1962 adventure rom-com movie Hatari! sees John Wayne in a rare break from his standard Western and war movies. He plays Sean Mercer, a man who captures various animals for zoos and circuses. The movie was praised for its gripping action sequences and light-hearted feel, allowing Wayne to show a different side of his character acting.
How the West Was Won
In the five-part epic saga How the West Was Won, Wayne takes a backseat and plays General Sherman, a role from the third part. Despite this being a smaller role, Wayne still manages to shine in an all-star ensemble cast.
McLintock!
A Western comedy, McLintock! gave Wayne a chance to show he can also tackle humorous roles. He plays G.W. McLintock, a wealthy cattle baron. His younger son, Patrick Wayne, appears alongside him as Dev Warren, while his older son, Michael Wayne, produces the movie.
The Sons of Katie Elder
Although a Western, The Sons of Katie Elder avoids typical plotlines by adding a focus on family. John Wayne plays the oldest son, John Elder, a professional gunman who travels back to his hometown for his mother’s funeral. Once there, he and his brothers reflect on their lives and their mother’s hopes, resolving to do better in a surprisingly heartwarming story.
El Dorado
A spiritual successor of sorts to Rio Bravo, El Dorado once again sees Wayne playing a gunfighter who agrees to help an old friend in a battle against a rancher who is stealing water. The similar plot proved no problem for viewers, with El Dorado being both a financial and critical success.
The War Wagon
John Wayne stars alongside fellow legend Kirk Douglas in this Western heist movie that pits them against a corrupt tycoon. It debuted in the top spot of the domestic box office and has been praised for adding humor to the classic heist genre.
True Grit
An adaptation of the novel of the same name, True Grit stars John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, an aging U.S. marshal hired by a young girl to find the man who killed her father. Wayne won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role here, and many think it was the high point of his career.
The Cowboys
The 1972 movie The Cowboys could almost be considered a coming-of-age movie. John Wayne’s character Wil Anderson plays a mentor role to a ragtag collection of schoolboys. The movie’s ending is both emotional and upsetting, with the schoolboys having matured into responsible adults thanks to his guidance.
Big Jake
John Wayne plays the gunfighter Big Jake, who is thought to be dead but is actually just roaming with his dog. He is called back to rescue his grandson after he is taken prisoner by a gang that intends to ransom him. The movie was unusually violent for a Wayne movie, with pitchforks and machetes being used as weapons.
The Alamo
John Wayne starred, directed, and produced this 1960 movie, which focused on the life of Davy Crockett. A personal hero of Wayne’s, he was deeply passionate about the role and enthusiastic about bringing it to life. Unfortunately, high production costs prevented it from being a financial success.
Fort Apache
Fort Apache set a new standard for movies by being one of the first to show Native Americans in a sympathetic light. John Wayne starred as Captain Kirby York. He has established a friendship with the Native Americans and tries to protect them from the harsh orders of his superior, Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda).
The Shootist
John Wayne’s final movie before his death, The Shootist, sees him playing an aging Sheriff who has become a gunfighter, killing many people along the way. Struggling with cancer, he organizes a final firefight to avoid a drawn-out and painful death.
