John Wayne took pride in embodying American values and true masculine heroism in his movies, standing up to those taking advantage of the weak. Carrying such a public persona meant it was important to Duke’s integrity to reflect this character in real life. His estate has recently shared a story of one such incident where he showed true grit.
The story goes: “At a high-end restaurant, John Wayne sat quietly enjoying his meal when he noticed a wealthy patron berating a waiter over a minor mistake. The man’s voice rose, drawing uncomfortable glances—but no one stepped in. Duke did. Standing up, all 6’4 of him, he walked over, placed a firm hand on the man’s chair, and said in a steady voice: ‘In my movies, bullies don’t last long.’
The estate added: “The diner shrank in his seat, the room fell silent, and the moment passed. As the waiter returned to his duties, Duke quietly left a generous tip and exited—no spotlight needed. John Wayne lived by a personal code of honour. Having come from humble beginnings and risen through hardship, he valued fairness and respect. On the set of The Alamo (1960), he personally stepped in to ensure crew were treated and paid fairly. During True Grit (1969), he reminded producers that everyone on set—no matter their title—was essential to the film’s success. Duke wasn’t just a screen hero—he showed up when it counted.”