John Wayne (26.5.1907-11.6.1979) is the personalised hero in more than 150 western, action and war movies. He also embodies the patriotic American and therefore received the highest civil award from the congress. With his 1.93 meters he was a celebrated football star in his youth. He started to study economic science and law which he had to break off because of financial reasons. In 1928 he worked as a scene-shifter in the studios which gave him the opportunity to do his first walk-ons. As he was raised with horses in his early childhood roles in western films were inevitable. For his first leading role the born Marion Michael Morrison took on his famous stage name John Wayne. Due to his age he was liberated from military service but still acted in his first war films during the Second World War. John Wayne only took on lead roles. He was also a producer and stage director.Not until 1970 did he win an Oscar for his role in True Grit. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame displays his popularity.