John Wayne managed to live another 3½ years after this aired. He left us on June 11, 1979 and there won't be another like him or Johnny Carson, ever. RIP, gentlemen.
Two of the very best! Not long after this aired. Johnny Carson hosted the Academy Awards and presented John Wayne with the lifetime achievement award. John Wayne left and went directly to the hospital. Before he past away he sent Johnny Carson a note telling him how much he appreciated the way he presented him and his kind words. Johnny was speechless simply he received the letter after John Wayne had passed!
Interesting story but not exactly true. He never won such an award. They were both on that acadamy awards show, as Johnny carson hosted, and John wayne presented an award, but from everything I see, he didn't receive one that night.
@@anthonyfrew1571 I’ve always been a big duke fan, but the man did have his niche. Most of his non western movies were pretty bad, the quiet man being an exception.
@@kevinmcconnell3641 I live in Ireland -a few miles from Belfast city - The Quiet Man is still fondly remembered and is shown every couple of years on television - I met a doctor who once lived in America and treated him for an illness - he considered John Wayne to be a true gentleman
Amazing ,before I clicked on the reply I said Clint Eastwood who is still alive is the only man who could , I clicked and there it was you practically said the same thing !
@@martinhanley9524 “They” can take down whatever they want. It doesn’t change the fact John Wayne was a great and accomplished man, worthy of legions of devoted fans, and a cultural icon of his own time. “They” have been and forever shall remain nothing.
Not my hero. He made movies FFS. He didn't give his life for any greater cause. Now Abraham Lincoln, MLK JR, and Rachel Carson ... they were American heroes
@@thedude4672 Well bully for you. Please feel free to tell us of all your marvelous accomplishments so that we can bask in your glory, oh anonymous voice on the Internet. I'm sure that by now you've what, cured cancer? Found a way to end famine? Single handedly fought off hordes of invading terrorists? He wasn't your hero. That's your opinion. That and a breath of air will keep you alive for another moment. Big deal. The difference between you two is that he'll be remembered. You won't.
Just shows you how modest some of the greats were. John Wayne, and he honestly didn't want to overstay his welcome. Johnny just rolled with it as the pro he was and it came off as a wonderful surprise for the audience.. Just great to see...sad they're gone.
JOHN WAYNE here knows his remaining days on this earth were very few, he went to Carson city the next day to be filmed in his last movie that had the same sort of themes as was occurring in his real life and death....
John Wayne. That man was supremely confident and yet very kind and respectful, all at the same time. I still love him, all these years later. He is unmatched by any actor, ever.
The Duke come on and Carson is as cool as a cucumber. True professional. No one can touch Johnny. The best ever. Gotta love Mr Wayne too. A true American Treasure!
@@poopdeckpappy2658 So why didn’t he walk on when a man was about to come out? Interesting how it’s OK to interrupt a woman who is about to have her career shine for a man who could just spend the rest of his days at his Palm Springs home in mind it’s own damn business. John Wayne wasn’t all that. Everybody in Hollywood especially Hollywood is replaceable!
I was watching TV when it was announced John Wayne had died. I started crying and just then my boyfriend walked back into our apartment and asked what happened when he saw me crying. I don’t think I have ever shed tears for any other actor who has died. He was one of a kind.
I also remember that day as well, june 11, 1979, I was 8 yrs. Old, and had just lost my dad that Christmas, my mom, she took us kids to sea world, in Aurora, Ohio, and we were coming home, and we heard it on the car radio, I was in a shock, and sad, and cried, and all I could think of, was my dad, and John Wayne were together in heaven
I remember I was an A&W stand with my sister and one of her friends and it was announced on the radio that he died and I just couldn't believe it, I was in shock, I couldn't believe it. I was a month away from being 10 years old.
My father born in 1937, was a huge John Wayne fan. Given that John Wayne was born in 1907, had already made dozens of films by the time my father was born, and now I'm 55, and still watch JW movies/interviews and clips.. fascinating stuff!
@@joec6647 Literally most of humanity could be cancelled based on today's standards. Humanity keeps getting better so holding people from the past to today's standards is an absurdly stupid thing to do. Did you bother to think how primitive you'll look in 100 years and what people will say about you?
That was so sweet he caught Johnny off guard and if you happen to notice John touch the side of John Wayne's face that was the sweetest thing I've ever seen.
Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and John Wayne made a surprise visit to the tonight show Don Rickles was hosting. When Bob and Bing walked out, the audience applauded. When John Wayne walked out from behind those curtains, there was a standing ovation. John Wayne was and is AMERICA. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 You can find the video here in RU-vid it will send chills and goosebumps through your body.
@@thedude4672 Oh look. The resident village idiot who had to come on a video and make "clever" comments about someone long dead in order to flag their ego in a vain attempt to try and hide a sense of inadequacy that's impossible to ignore.
Yeah! I mean, Tough TALKERS (ONLY) John Wayne and Ron Reagan both sat out the War and took all the good parts that the GREAT Actors vacated to go to War.
John Wayne still lives on in his movies, watch them from my collection. The Shootist was and still a classic today with a all star cast. When John Wayne past away, a part of America was lost. R.I.P.
People like John Wayne come along in history never to be seen again. Everyone has a father that goes to work and raises them, our fathers are our own personal John Wayne's. A great man with the likes that will never be seen again !! God Bless him
Those of us who were able to watch a lot of these interviews live are truly blessed. Because NOTHING today can compare to the good ole days when people were real, kind and tollerent of each others differences. Miss the past, we need it today.
I'm from UK and grew up watching his Films, with my Late Dad, when I watch them now, what fond memories back in 70s. Remember watching Kirk Douglas in a interview, saying he never saw eye to eye with his politics but has a actor, great respect, first one on the set and had time for everyone.. Wish I could turn back the clock..
Brillant actor. A true man of decency and integrity. Very few around now. Shootist was an excellent movie. John Wayne and Lauren Becall were brillant. ❤❤
John Wayne was one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood. He was a great actor. To think he was dying of cancer when he went to Carson City to make The Shootest movie. I think it was one of his best. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s a must. Johnny Carson was the best, is the best and will always be the best Tonight Show Host. Total class, total professional and did it for 30 years. Nobody will ever fill his shoes. Jay Leno was good, the buffoons after him have ruined the show. I haven’t watched it since Leno. RIP to the Duke and Johnny !
That's actually an old wives tale. His cancer was still in remission when he made The Shootist. However, he WAS suffering from several other health issues. Heart problems (he had open heart surgery), prostate issues, hepatitis, etc. So while he WAS in poor health, it wasn't from the cancer. That wouldn't return until '78.
Only on Carson would a star like John Wayne take the time to stop in specifically to say a personal congratulations on a good newspaper article review of "The Tonight Show". It says volumes about both John Wayne and Johnny Carson. That clip made me smile. Thanks for uploading!
And even though Johnny was the king of late night…..he rolled with the surprise and would’ve given the Duke all the time he wanted. Showed great deference to Wayne.
My alcoholic father and I didn't have much of a relationship, but he did take me to the movies on Saturday afternoons many times...mostly westerns and war movies...saw True Grit when I was 8, and became an avid John Wayne fan ever since that glorious day...last movie we saw together was The Shootist...my father's alcoholism got worse sadly, and we never had much of a relationship after that, but those memorable movie moments are etched in my mind.
@Mike Raffphone Based on what. The draft board declared 4-F because of the knee injury he sustained play college football for USC and the severe shin splints he had because of his size, 6'4" and at the time of his draft date 200+ lbs. I don't know if you understand just how painful shin splints are. I served 20 years as a military cop and I've seen guys crumple because of shin splints after marching less than a mile with a 100 lbs. rucksack on their back while carrying an M16 or M4A1 whuch were a hell of a lot lighter than the M1 Garands and M14s they were carrying back then.
@Mike Raffphone you put your draft dodger on another comment. You are awareness that John Wayne was born in 1907 which meant he was 34 yrs. old at the beginning of WWII. Not exactly military draft age. Do some research before making a comment and showing how uneducated you are.
Great episode. I was fortunate enough to meet and chat with the Duke several times during my teen years living in Orange County, CA near Newport Beach. He was always a big kidder and very friendly. He was one of my favorites and feel blessed to have met he and his sons from time to time. RIP. We miss you Duke
John Wayne was also loved in Australia. My dad had all his movies on DVD. He watched them over and over. His favourite was True Grit also North To Alaska. My dad was 86yo when he died February this year. When we cleaned out his place...we found True Grit in his DVD player. Great memories of great men.
My Father actually sat watching this with tears in his eyes. Because he had he had heard about John Wayne's Cancer and he knew how bad cancer was back then with little treatment to be had and the loss of his brothers from cancer made him upset to think of John Wayne going thru the same suffering.
My family owned gift shops in the 70's and early 80's. We had one in the Ramada Inn here in Tucson Arizona and, on the top floor(it only had 4) was the John Wayne Suite which was always available to stay in as long as he wasn't in town. He UNEXPECTEDLY SHOWED UP ON A SUNDAY NIGHT AND HE WANTED HIS SUITE! It had already been given to someone else because he wasn't expected in Tucson. He DEMANDED that the people be moved to a different room so he and his wife, Pilar, could have his suite. He stated that they were going to the in-house coffee shop for breakfast and wanted his room ready when they were done eating. The hotel took care of the issue without delay. The next morning, I had been told that he was there so I saved a newspaper for him just in case he would stop by the gift shop and ask for one. HE DID STOP IN AND I GAVE HIME THE PAPER IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS AUTOGRAPH! HE GAVE ME THE AUTOGRAPH AND WROTE IT TO MY BROTHER AT MY REQUEST. "TO DAVID, GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. BEST REGARDS-JOHN WAYNE" This was 1975 and he looked like he was 90 years old instead of in his 70's! ALL DECKED OUT IN A SILVER SHIRT, SILVER JACKET, AND SILVER PANTS! His beautiful wife Pilar was dressed very casual. They went to the coffee shop for another breakfast and he put a STACK OF BUSINESS SIZED CARDS AT THE EDGE OF THEIR TABLE SO PEOPLE WOULD JUST PICK ONE UP AND CONTINUE ON WITHOUT BOTHERING THEM. The cards were all signed the same:"GOOD LUCK, JOHN WAYNE". That was one of the BEST DAYS AT MY YOUNG AGE. I WAS ONLY 16. THE BEST ACTOR THAT I MET DURING THE GIFT SHOP DAYS WAS LEE MARVIN! WHAT A GENUINELY NICE GUY HE WAS.
Two stalwarts, for sure !!! Nothing compares to these good old days, for certain. Always love the Carson re-run posts. Share them often. I was just a Young punk kid (now I'm just a punk) but being able to "occasionally" stay up late (just enough to see the show to the end or nearly the end) was often the highlight of my nights at home. The Tonight Show was a regular feature in our household..
The Duke at a point in his career when he did whatever he wanted: 'Think I'll crash the Carson show for a couple of minutes.' All good-natured, nobody taking a huge offense to potentially being upstaged or having the show interrupted for a few. Just class and grace.
Wow. What an amazing example of class and modesty. Truly one of the greatest American actors EVER. The Shootist was a fine movie and was Wayne's farewell to the American Western that had been so good to him. (The main character , J.B. Books, was dying of cancer as well, it's a very touching movie with Ron Howard, Lauren Bacall, James Stewart and John Carradine)
Richard Boone, Jimmy Stewart, and Hugh Obrien all wanted to work for free to honor Wayne, but the actors guild would not allow it. So they worked for the minimum, 50,000 dollars.
@@kellig.6819 He had some of the best one liners. Rooster Cogburn, John Chisum and so many more great characters. Liked him in the Hell Fighters and Hatari. Loved going to the drive ins to see his movies.
Sad to say, John's appearance on the tonight show and making the movie, the shootist , would be his last film, I believe. John Wayne was a legend in his own time. A giant among giants.
That's correct; "The Shootist" was indeed his last film -- and I believe his best. With a tremendous cast: Lauren Bacall, the young Ron Howard, plus James Stewart, Harry Morgan, John Carradine, Richard Boone, Scatman Crothers and Hugh O'Brian. -- shot in Carson City NV (near Lake Tahoe). The director was Don Siegel (who'd also directed the original "Dirty Harry").
Sadly Johnny Carson's shows were never shown on British TV. Great shows with fabulous guests. Johnny was a true master at his craft. Thankfully there are still clips of his shows to enjoy on RU-vid. Seeing this clip with John Wayne is a particular treat. My fav movie star.
I wouldn't say he was typecast. A big, tough guy like him did westerns and war movies because he loved this great country. It was those types of movies that made him shinel, but let's not forget The Quiet Man. I can see how people can say he was typecast though. The 70s was the time for cop and detective shows and movies, and The Duke rolled with the times. Unfortunately, he passed away before he became a staple in crime dramas. Clint Eastwood was a cowboy before he became an icon in crime dramas.
spactick A little bit of trivia, John Wayne turned down the role of the Lone Ranger of black and white TV show back in the 50s because he didn't want to be tyoe cast as cowboy for the rest of acting career. Ironic isn't it. The role ended up going to Clayton Moore.
@@darrenheadrick3669 also turned down the role of Matt Dillon on “Gunsmoke”; although he did introduce James Arness before the first episode aired, also I believed he recommended Arness for the role.
I cried the day The Duke passed on. Maybe he didn't serve in the military, as his detractors pointed out, but his role in life was beyond that. He was an icon for everything good that America stood for. He was tough but he had a heart of gold. Want to feel good tonight? Watch "True Grit.". The Duke knew Christ; so we'll be seeing him again Pilgrim.
Wayne was 34 ,when Pearl Harbour was attacked and he had four dependents. Rejected by the military, the average age of a WWII , soldier was 26 . Wayne had tried to go to Annapolis and he tried to enter the OSS , he did do one mission for Donovan, head of the OSS, now CIA . See Wikipedia ...
First time watching this video clip and I thought I had seen all of them with the Duke. Great clip, just JW being spontaneous and down to earth like the character he played in so many movies. I had always wanted to meet him in person before he passed but never got the chance. JW fan for life.
I loved it when Johnny had children on, never knew what they would say. As in one conversation which included marriage. Boy looks at Johnny and asks, "Have you ever been married Mr. Carson?" Camera zooms in on Johnny's face, rolls his eyes. "Many times." Everyone is dying laughing. When he had Robin Williams on he just sat back and let Robin take over. Robin would be on the stage doing what he does best, camera would show Johnny just dying laughing in his chair.
There is no more Duke thing to say than that. "Sad to say i'm allergic or else i wouldn't have given it up...cancer or no cancer" He lived his life his way!!
I should have said the same thing when they told me if I didn't quit, I'd be dead of a massive heart attack within 3 years. So I quit. That was almost 7 years ago!
@@elvicare35 Yes, I KNOW that. I'm not disagreeing with you. All I said was that I would like to know WHAT it was that he was about to say. Since I quit cigarettes myself and I know Wayne had a lung out in like 1964, I'm curious.
What a Kodachrome moment we see here. John Wayne just before he's leaving to film The Shootist. I'm old and watched Johnny just about every night and I bet I watched this too. That happened often on his show, an A-list actor would happen to be in the neighborhood and stop in while The Tonight Show was being recorded. Of course, Johnny being the consummate professional he was, he would slide right into it seamlessly. Although those times are long gone, it's wonderful they have been preserved for future generations to enjoy here on RU-vid. I wish they'd invent a time machine, but until they do, this works for me.
Two great legends in the same studio !! Thanks for the upload ! I recently watched "The Shootist " again, what a great movie with Lauren Bacall and Ron Howard.
John Wayne…can’t say enough about the man! Great actor, great man. It was one of the very few things my dad and I had in common. Sit down and watch jw movies. RIP dad I miss you!!
Looking back, it's evident the Duke was having a tough time breathing. The grunting and wheezing he did during the film The Shootist we're probably real and not just acting. Still my favorite movie star and still larger than life...years after his death.
He had lung cancer in 1964 and had lung removed and several ribs. From 1964-1979 he had one lung to work with and it was weaker to and had to do oxygen when needed during breaks in filming scenes for films 1964 to when did The Shootist. He was cancer free during this show as wasn’t diagnosed with cancer again until late 1978 when had stomach cancer and by early 1979 had his stomach removed.
I never saw The Shootist. But I loved and still love the man. Quiet Man, Donovan's Reef and Stagecoach. When John Wayne died, I think a big piece of what made America died too. RIP Duke
Watch it asap. It's Wayne's best performance in my opinion and i've seen just about all his movies. Great script, great realistic movie and great performances from High O'Brian, Harry Morgan, Scatman Crothers, Richard Boone, Lauren Bacall and Ron Howard.
Gotta watch the Shootist, even if its the ONLY TIME you were to see it... of all the Movies that John Wayne made.... this being his last... WAS THE BEST WAY to end his career before he passed away.... and it started Ron Howards Movie career as an actor before Ron Howard began directing a few years later..... the Shootist is 1 of John Waynes Movies i dont watch to often because i know its his last even though it is very good
