Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
John Wayne left behind an enduring legacy; it is one that is firmly rooted in the world of Western and war movies. The late legendary actor has never declared his love for science fiction or fantasy settings, so you would not expect to see him in one. Therefore, it was a huge shock to learn that the actor once did appear in aStar Warsproject, albeit not in the way you might anticipate.
But did you know that Daniel Day-Lewis did not have a strong opinion about the late, legendary American actor, who passed away on July 29, 2025?
Day-Lewis is renowned for his intense method acting style and his capacity to completely engross himself in his roles. But does he also have strong feelings about other actors in the business? In particular, he once shared he never appreciated the late John Wayne.
ThePhantom Threadstar has resisted the temptation to be fond of theRio Bravostar. It, therefore, comes as no surprise to learn that he has no affection for the unusually stolid American Western icon.
Also read:“I fought hard. I fought to win”: John Wayne Invented New Kind of Dirty Fighting Style Unlike Anything Hollywood Had Ever Seen
Why Did Daniel Day-Lewis Hate John Wayne?
Given the success of his multiple Western movies, John Wayne may have amassed a sizable fan base. However, Oscar-winning actor,Daniel Day-Lewisis not on that list.Well, also note that theGangs of New Yorkactor once thought of himself as a fan of actors like Clint Eastwood and Gary Cooper.
Hesaid of Eastwood:
“I used to go to all-night screenings of his movies. I’d stagger out at 5 in the morning, trying to be loose-limbed and mean and taciturn.”
Day-Lewis did not particularly like Westerns as a genre, but he did enjoy theUnforgivenactor’s share of them. Moreover, he thought Cooper’s WesternHigh Noonwas superb. But, as aforementioned, hehad no particular affection forThe Searchersactor.
The Crucibleactor once remarked in The New York Times:
“High Noon means a lot to me – I love the purity and the honesty, I love Gary Cooper in that film, and the idea of the last man standing. I do not like John Wayne: I find it hard to watch him. I just never took to him.”
Jimmy Stewart acting in Westerns was another thing Day-Lewis did not like. He clarified:
“I love him, just not as a cowboy.”
Also read:John Wayne Humiliated an Entire Superpower After Joseph Stalin Sent KGB Assassins To Kill Him
How John Wayne Responded To Criticisms Against His Performance
It is possible that Daniel Day-Lewis was not the only one to criticizeJohn Wayne. The late star was well aware of the criticisms directed at him, even during his active acting career.
TheTrue Gritactor made an effort to remind people of his versatility in a 1969 interview he gave to Roger Ebert. However, he also considered the similarity between all of his characters to be a strength rather than a flaw.
“Of course, they give me that John Wayne stuff so much, claim I always play the same role. Seems like nobody remembers how different the fellows were inThe Quiet ManorIwo Jima, orYellow Ribbon, where I was 35 playing a man of 65. To stay a star, you have to bring along some of your own personality. Thousands of good actors can carry a scene, but a star has to carry the scene and still, without intruding, allow some of his character into it.”
There is no denying that John Wayne and Daniel Day-Lewis are both incredibly skilled actors, who have made important contributions to the movie business. Off-screen, it is impossible to say if they would have gotten along.
So there you have it—a glimpse into Day-Lewis’s thoughts and his despise for Wayne. But we cannot help but admire theSilence(2016) actor’s willingness to speak out for his beliefs and offer his perspective on the film industry.
Also read:Liam Neeson Thought $932M Franchise That Made Him Hollywood’s Next John Wayne Was Too Simple: “It’s going straight to video”
Source-The New York Times
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
