Mention John Wayne and some of Hollywood's most celebrated Westerns
gallop into mind. Over a career that spanned half a century, the "Duke" appeared in more than 140 movies, many of them set in the Wild West and considered classics of the genre. Off camera, Wayne cut a sometimes controversial figure, and frequently espoused social and political views
in public that today would be deemed unacceptable.
Wayne died over 40 years ago, but his work still influences actors and filmmakers. Click through the following gallery for an appreciation of one of cinema's legendary action heroes.