Uncovering the Legend: Top 7 Fun Facts About John Wayne You Never Knew!

1. Airedale Star Pal

John Wayne wasn't only an Airedale Terrier enthusiast; he was a true "hairy-dale" of Hollywood, recruiting his four-legged family to pursue their dreams on the silver screen: Wayne's beloved Airedale, Pal, not only starred as Old Yeller's faithful companion in the 1957 Disney classic, but built an impressive doggy résumé, continuing to showcase his pawsitively undeniable talent in films such as "The Ugly Dachshund" and "The Incredible Journey."
Source => akc.org

2. Wipeout to Hollywood

Surf's up, John! Better ride that football wave gently: John Wayne initially rode a football scholarship to the University of Southern California, only to wipeout and dislocate his right shoulder in a bodysurfing mishap. The fallout led him to lose his scholarship and tackle odd jobs, eventually washing ashore in Tinseltown where he propelled himself from prop guy to silver screen legend.
Source => outsider.com

Did you know that Will Rogers once hitched rides on cross-country mail planes by booking himself as baggage? Discover more about his unique airborne adventures and how it impacted his life.

=> Fun Facts about Will-Rogers

3. Football Dreams Derailed

Before he became the Duke of Hollywood and galloped his way to stardom, John Wayne had dreams of tackling a different kind of fame on the football field: In fact, he was awarded a scholarship to play at the University of Southern California, but a collarbone injury made him forfeit his athletic ambitions and drop out of school, ultimately leading him to saddle up for an entirely different career.
Source => celebritynetworth.com

4. Latin Lovers

Much like a cowboy herding cattle, John Wayne had a penchant for lassoing the hearts of Latin American beauties: All three of his wives hailed from south of the border, while the Duke himself claimed a more passive approach in romance, with pushy dames sending him galloping for the hills faster than a posse in pursuit.
Source => emanuellevy.com

5. Duke's Unique Car Collection

Some say it was the original "Duke-mobile," while others claim it was the birth of the cowboy crossover: John Wayne, aka The Duke, owned a collection of Pontiac station wagons, including a 1970 Bonneville, 1972 Grand Safari, and a 1976 Grand Safari specially modified with a raised roof to fit his signature cowboy hat. Additionally, he owned a custom 1966 International Harvester Travelall, the "War Wagon," used on his ranch; however, there's no record of Wayne owning any Rolls-Royces, VW Beetles or Corvettes.
Source => carhp.com

6. Friendly Skies at John Wayne Airport

Whoever said air travel is a 'plane' in the neck hasn't met John Wayne Airport: The airport sports a "Fly Friendly" program, awarding general aviation jet operators for minimizing their impact on the surrounding community and being the best neighbors they can be.
Source => ocair.com

7. Globetrotting with the Duke

Call him a roaming cowboy, a frontier adventurer, or a matrimonial globetrotter: John Wayne and his wife Pilar Pallete frequently hit the road, often following the trails of his movie shoots and even kicking up dust in Newport Beach, California as residents for a while.
Source => en.wikipedia.org