Throwback Thursday: John Wayne [VIDEO]

I actually came across a 20-something year old who gave me a blank look when I mentioned John Wayne. What?? That has to be corrected!

John Wayne, the Duke, was and is an institution. Anyone who doesn't know his work needs to. He was known for his toughness on screen and his generosity off screen. many of today's actors could learn from his off screen persona.

He was the king of Westerns and being a tough but fair. Wayne could also be funny and romantic, especially with Maureen O'Hara as his co-star.

John Wayne's career started in 1929's "Words and Music" and ended with the intense "The Shootist". He dies in it. We lost John Wayne to stomach cancer in 1979.

Fun fact for you: He was asked by Mel Brooks to be the Waco Kid in "Blazing Saddles" but declined because the movie was to "dirty." He did promise to be first in line to see it, though! (Gene Wilder played the part).