Expert: Mel Priddle - 7/22/2008

Question
how many films was john wayne killed in

Answer
Hello Howard,

This is such a popular question. I've lost track of the number of times that I've answered it over the years.

John Wayne is seen dying in the following films........

Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
The Fighting Seabees (1944)
Wake of the Red Witch (1949)
The Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
The Alamo (1960)
The Cowboys (1972)
The Shootist (1976)

In "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) he is already dead (from old age) at the start of the film and the story is told in flashback, so you do not actually see him die.

In "The Deceiver" (1931), Wayne had an uncredited role as a dead body, and in "Central Airport" (1933) he was one of two men seen floundering in the sea, drowning at night after their plane had crashed.

In one other film, "The Sea Chase" (1955), it is not made entirely clear whether he dies at the end or not. It is left for the audience to decide for themselves whether he survives or goes down with his sinking ship.


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.