Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

John Wayne’s Last Public Appearance is Nothing But Heartwarming

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Widely celebrated movie star John Wayne was and continues to be, not only a household name but a classic American icon. He is one of the greatest stars in Hollywood who has graced television screens. He has an unforgettable presence in more than 170 films and was among the top box office draws in a career that spanned over a whopping fifty years – though he is more usually remembered for his western-themed productions and roles.

Unfortunately, Wayne – who was also known as “The Duke” – passed away at the age of 71 after a difficult battle with stomach cancer, sending the nation into mourning for the beloved, American staple. While many fans turned to his incredible movie roles to remember him, his last public appearance continues to remain a sacred footage.

John Wayne’s Last Public Appearance

Appearing at the 1979 Academy Awards ceremony at Music Center Pavilion, John Wayne was wonderfully introduced by TV personality Johnny Carson, who led the star-studded audience’s attention to a former clip of Bob Hope raving about Wayne’s incredible talent and irreplaceability.

As the clip closed, Carson encouraged the audience to offer Wayne a warm welcome. And they did just that! Wayne received a standing ovation the moment he entered onto the vibrantly lit stage.

A very gracious Wayne absorbed the crowd’s undying energy and kindly thanked them all.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. That’s just about the only medicine a fella would really ever need,” Wayne beamed. 

Wayne attended The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, to hand out the Best Picture Award to “The Deer Hunter.” Before he announced the award, Wayne noted that he and Oscar went back to the beginning together. “Oscar and I both came on the Hollywood scene in 1828.” He went on to address his illness, saying that he “plan[s] to be around for a whole lot longer.”

Tragically, Wayne died a few short months later. He requested that his tombstone read “Feo, Fuerte y Formal,” a Spanish epitaph Wayne described to mean as “ugly, strong, and dignified.”

John Wayne’s Long And Successful Career

Wayne enjoyed perhaps the longest and most successful career of any actor in film history. His breakthrough role came from a starring role in director John Ford’s “Stagecoach” in 1939. For nearly a decade, Wayne toiled in quite a few B movies, mostly westerns, for various studios. He even played a singing cowboy named Sandy Saunders among his several roles. During this time, however, Wayne began developing his man of action persona, which would serve as the basis of many recognized characters later on.

Wayne’s career as an actor took another leap forward when he worked with director Howard Hawks 1948 film, “Red River.” The film absolutely lifted him overnight to enormous fame and provided Wayne with an opportunity to show his talents as an actor, and not just an action hero. From then on, the Duke remained an outstanding performer. Wayne won his first Academy Award in 1969 for his role in “True Grit.”

To sum it up, Wayne’s vast filmography led to an equally massive impact on the movie industry. Today, he remains a respected personality in American film history, and his movies have been passed down through generations.

Author Ronald Davis said it best in his book, Duke: The Life and Image of John Wayne:

“John Wayne personified for millions the nation’s frontier heritage…he played cowboys, cavalrymen, and unconquerable loners.”

You can view John Wayne’s last public appearance below and help us in remembering this legend.

John Wayne’s Final Speech

Latest Stories

Roy Rogers, smiling in his signature cowboy hat and embroidered suit, remembered by fans as the King of the Cowboys in 1998.

On This Day, Fans Remember Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, Who Rode Off in 1998

Sometimes the cowboy who taught America how to ride tall in the saddle and tip a hat with a smile is the one who leaves the biggest boots to fill. ...

Julian Ryan smiles with his fiancée and kids in a family photo before the Texas floods that took his life in a heartbreaking tragedy.

Young Dad’s Heartbreaking Final Words Revealed by Family After Texas Flooding Tragedy

Julian Ryan wasn’t just another name on the growing list of the dead in the Texas flood disaster. He was a father, a fiancé, and, in his final moments, a ...

Miranda Lambert performs onstage at a concert, now under fire for focusing on animals during the Texas floods tragedy.

Miranda Lambert Under Fire for Asking Help for Animals in Texas Floods While People Still Missing

Sometimes, doing the right thing still gets you dragged through the mud. Miranda Lambert, country’s resident dog lover and unapologetic Texas girl, is catching flak this week for what some ...

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

One moment, it was just another summer night in the Texas Hill Country, the next the river rose like an angry giant and tore whole lives apart. According to AP ...

Keith Urban holds a CMA award on stage, showing the same trophies he often ships home so his mom can keep a room full of them.

Keith Urban Gives Away Almost Every Award He Wins So One Person Can Keep a Room Full of Them

Keith Urban doesn’t just pick up awards, he packs them up and ships them off faster than most country stars can find a shelf. For a guy who’s racked up ...

Toby Keith performs with his American flag guitar, the same patriotic spirit that fueled his song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue."

The Untold Truth Behind Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”

When Toby Keith sat down with a fantasy football stat sheet and scribbled out “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”, he didn’t just write a song. He lit a ...

Toby Keith plays guitar with an American flag design, capturing the patriotic vibe perfect for a Fourth of July country playlist.

35 Patriotic Country Songs to Turn Your Backyard Into the Ultimate 4th of July Party

Nothing says freedom like blasting a rowdy country playlist while you torch a few burgers, keep the cooler stocked, and watch your drunk uncle light fireworks way too close to ...

Keith Urban sits next to Nicole Kidman looking serious, a moment that echoes him shutting down talk about her steamy movie scenes.

Keith Urban Shuts Down Interview When Nicole Kidman’s Scenes With Younger Men Are Mentioned

Some lines just ain’t worth crossing, especially when you’re asking Keith Urban about Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron rolling around on screen. This week, the whole thing went sideways when ...

Tim McGraw sits outdoors with Faith Hill, leaning on a cane, sparking questions about his health but showing their strong bond.

Tim McGraw Using a Cane With Faith Hill Beside Him Raises Questions About His Health

Sometimes country music’s strongest cowboys need a little help standing tall, and Tim McGraw’s latest photo has folks asking how much longer he can keep carrying that torch. It’s not ...

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood smile together at an event, standing united amid the ongoing sexual assault lawsuit drama.

Garth Brooks’ Marriage With Trisha Yearwood Reportedly Unshaken by Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Nothing tests a marriage like ugly headlines, but Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are riding out this storm shoulder to shoulder. Since last October, Garth Brooks has been staring down ...