John Wayne Looks Into The Distance In New Photo From Estate Featuring His Father’S Advice

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This artful photo of John Wayne, courtesy of another Hollywood icon, and the accompanying quote from Wayne’s father are equally brilliant.

Chances are, if you’re an Outisder – you’re a John Wayne fan. The late icon changed the movie industry forever, defined the Western genre, and helped build what we know today as the “blockbuster” film. Behind it all, however, was a deeply patriotic American with roots firmly planted in family.

To this end, the John Wayne Estate is sharing a classic quote from The Duke’s history Sunday, complemented by one of John R. Hamilton’s iconic photos. Each is equally priceless.

“I’ve always followed my father’s advice: he told me, first to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally,” his estate quotes of Wayne. “If I insult you, you can be goddamn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble.”

As for the beautiful photograph itself, the capture is part of the John R. Hamilton Collection.

Hollywood photographer John R. Hamilton would capture more than 800 celebrities in his over 5 decades of prolific work. From John Wayne and Clint Eastwood to The Beatles and Dean Martin – his work would define many points in Hollywood history as they happened.

“His photographs were intimate and sexy… No one captured our heroes in American cinema like he did,” fellow icon Bruce Weber once said about Hamilton. “He gave us an insider’s view of incredibly private people caught in a special world somewhere between a movie set and home,” he is quoted on the photographer’s official website.

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John Wayne: The All-American Man

As for Wayne himself, “The Duke always stopped to sign autographs & take photos with his fans” says the John Wayne Estate with a previous throwback photo.

Within, his estate cites the fervor fans showed “to get the Duke’s autograph!” Which is far from hard to imagine, as Wayne was the biggest star in the world for the majority of his lifetime. Given the today chance, any Outsider would leap head first at the chance.

But in his lifetime, it was indeed a real possibility for John Wayne fans. In fact, it would happen often.

“Whether he was traveling, out to dinner, or making appearances, the Duke always stopped to sign autographs & take photos with his fans,” his estate cites. Indeed, the Western icon always had time for his fellow Americans. And then some.

This previous shot shows John Wayne signing autographs for an entire team of little leaguers.

“He knew they were the reason he remained one of the top actors of his time,” the Duke’s estate continues. All too true – yet poignant all the same.

 

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