John Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison in 1907, rose to fame as one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. His journey to stardom began after a sports injury derailed his football career, leading him to acting. Though his first major role in *The Big Trail* flopped, Wayne’s persistence paid off when *Stagecoach* launched him into superstardom. Despite personal struggles, including three marriages and two divorces, he became a beloved symbol of American heroism on screen.
However, Wayne’s life took a tragic turn when he developed cancer, linked to his time filming *The Conqueror* near a nuclear test site. Out of the 220 cast and crew, 91 developed cancer, a chilling consequence of the exposure. Wayne fought the disease but passed away in 1979, leaving a legacy that endures.
His story is one of resilience and determination, overcoming personal and professional challenges to become an unforgettable legend in Hollywood history.