Duke page 1

 Duke page 1 by ric gustafson

John Wayne was born Marion Mitchell Morrison. His mother Mary Brown was born in 1885. Marion's father was Clyde Morrison. They were married in 1906 eight months before Marion was born. When Marion was born his father was a pharmacist's clerk at a drugstore in Winterset Iowa. In 1914, the family moved to California. They moved to Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles. Marion was seven at the time.

In 1916, the family moved to Glendale an LA suburb. 

By 1921, Marion was now nicknamed Duke. He entered Glendale High School. He grew to be taller than 6 foot tall. He was skinny, weighed only 140 pounds but made it onto the high school football team. In high school, Duke discovered westerns. His idols became Harry Carey and Tom Mix.

He began helping at Fox as an extra propman in 1927.

His parents divorced in 1929.

research help: ' John Wayne the man behind the myth' by Michael Munn

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric