How Did John Wayne Die?
John Wayne died of Stomach cancer on June 11, 1979, at age 72.
What was John Wayne's cause of death?
John Wayne died on June 11, 1979, at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles at the age of 72. He had battled cancer for years, having survived lung cancer in 1964, but was diagnosed with stomach cancer in early 1979. He spent his final months in the hospital and became an advocate for cancer research, lending his name to what is now the John Wayne Cancer Institute.
How old was John Wayne when they died?
John Wayne was 72 years old at the time of death.
When did John Wayne die?
John Wayne died on June 11, 1979.
John Wayne Biography
Marion Robert Morrison, known to the world as John Wayne, was born on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa. Nicknamed 'The Duke,' he became the defining star of the American Western over a career spanning more than 170 films, winning the Best Actor Oscar for True Grit and starring in classics like Stagecoach, The Searchers, and Rio Bravo.
Personal Life
Who are John Wayne's parents?
Unknown
Was John Wayne married?
John Wayne was married once, to Pilar Pallete (1954–1979).
Did John Wayne have children?
John Wayne had 5 children: Michael Wayne, Patrick Wayne, Aissa Wayne, Ethan Wayne, Marisa Wayne.
What religion was John Wayne?
John Wayne was Catholic.
What was John Wayne's ethnicity?
John Wayne was of American heritage.
Career Highlights
Movies
- Stagecoach (1939) — Watch on Amazon
- The Searchers (1956) — Watch on Amazon
- Rio Bravo (1959) — Watch on Amazon
- True Grit (1969) — Watch on Amazon
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Awards
- Academy Award for Best Actor (1970)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (1980)
Facts About John Wayne
- Won the Best Actor Oscar for True Grit in 1970
- Made more than 170 films across a five-decade career
- Was nicknamed 'The Duke' after his childhood dog
- Became the enduring symbol of the American Western
John Wayne Quotes
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway."
Legacy
John Wayne remains the quintessential icon of the Western genre and American cinema, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom after his death.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-08-17