Wayne was an anti-communist and a vocal supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee. In 1952, Wayne made 'Big Jim McLain' to show his support for the anti-communist cause. Wayne proclaimed to be instrumental in having Carl Foreman blacklisted from Hollywood after the release of the anti-McCarthyism western 'High Noon' (1952). Later, Wayne teamed up with Howard Hawks to make 'Rio Bravo' (1959) in response to 'High Noon'.
When John F. Kennedy won the presidency, Wayne expressed his patriotism by saying: "I didn't vote for him but he's my president, and I hope he does a good job."
Wayne used his status to support conservative causes. One of those causes was rallying support for the Vietnam War by producing, co-directing, and starring in the movie 'The Green Berets' (1968).
In 1978, Wayne enraged conservatives by supporting liberal causes like the Panama Canal Treaty and the innocence of Patty Hearst.
Due to Wayne status as a famous Republican star, the Texas Republican Party asked him to run for national office in 1968. Wayne declined in a joking manner that he didn't believe the American public would seriously vote an actor in the White House. Wayne, however, did support Ronald Reagan run for the governorship of California in 1966 and 1970. Also, Wayne was asked to become the running mate of George Wallace in 1968. Wayne again declined the offer.
Wayne actively campaigned for Richard Nixon, addressing the Republican National Convention on opening day in August of 1968.
Wayne in addiction was a member of the John Birch Society (a conservative, anti-communist group).
Wayne's strong anti-communist politics did lead to a disturbing situation. In 2003, information from the Soviet archives reported that Joseph Stalin ordered Wayne's assassination. Stalin died before the order could be carried out. Stalin's successor, Nikita Khrushchev, told Wayne during one of his visits to the states in 1958 that he personally rescinded the order.
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I put this section here for people who came from the tribute page I have up on my main website, "Midnight Angel's Place". Home will take you back to the tribute page of John Wayne on my main website. The other links will take you to the other segments about John Wayne.
John Wayne-Military Conterversy
John Wayne-Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom
Winds Of The Wasteland-This is a movie John Wayne starred in.
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