John Wayne was disliked by a number of Hollywood stars in the 1950s – and Katharine Hepburn was one of them. She refused to work with the actor at one point. Later on, she changed her mind, but she was quick to call him out on his comments. Years later, she told a different story.
John Wayne was a supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) movement in the 1950s, one that fought against communism in the USA. His strong political views meant that he fell out with a number of Hollywood stars, including Hepburn, who turned down a movie because Wayne was in it.
In 1953 Wayne was looking for a leading lady to join him in the Western film Hondo. Hepburn, who was at the height of her fame, was approached for the role, but quickly decided against it because of the star’s connection with the HUAC. The role of Angie Lowe was eventually taken on by American star Geraldine Page, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
20 years later, however, Hepburn changed her mind. Wayne and Hepburn starred in the 1975 movie Rooster Cogburn together. Wayne took on the titular character, while Hepburn played Miss Eula Goodnight – much to the surprise of everyone who knew of her disdain for the Western star. The pair seemed to get on throughout the shooting of Rooster Cogburn, but when the film had wrapped up, Katharine revealed how she really felt about the star.
Throughout the film’s shoot, Wayne would constantly get into arguments with members of the film crew, and even the director Stuart Millar. In one frustrating instance for Wayne, Millar forced the star to keep repeating one scene in particular. Eventually, Wayne snapped and shouted at his director. He yelled: “God damn it, Stuart, there’s only so many times we can say these awful lines before they stop making any sense at all!”
Katharine noticed these outbursts and called him out on it. At the wrap party for the film Katharine approached Wayne and told him: “I’m glad I didn’t know you when you had two lungs, you must have been a real b*****d. Losing a hip has mellowed me, but you!”
Despite this, the pair did find a fondness for one another. Katharine years later praised Wayne and called him “fascinating”. She said: “He has confidence in himself, which gives him enormous charisma. He’s quick, he’s sensitive. He knows all the techniques. I think he’s an awfully good actor – and a terribly funny man. We laugh all day. What a goddamn fascinating personality!”