5 Things You Never Knew About the John Wayne’s Son, Patrick Wayne

McLINTOCK!, from left, Patrick Wayne, John Wayne, 1963 — Everett Collection

Patrick Wayne may not have become the household name his legendary father was, but he carved out an impressive career of his own, full of classic films and charming TV roles. Born Patrick John Morrison on July 15, 1939, he grew up in Hollywood royalty as the second son of John Wayne and Josephine Saenz, with famed director John Ford as his godfather.

He was on set before he even hit adolescence, and over the years, he starred in more than 40 films, hosted game shows and ultimately honored his father’s legacy in more ways than one. In honor of hits 86th birthday, here are five fun facts you might not know about Patrick Wayne:

1 He was almost Superman

SHIRLEY, Patrick Wayne, 1979-80 (1979 photo)

NBC/Everett Collection

In the late 1970s, when casting directors were searching high and low for someone to play Superman in the original blockbuster film about the Man of Steel, Patrick Wayne was near the top of their list. He even screen-tested for the role, but ultimately turned it down. His father, John Wayne, was battling cancer at the time, and Patrick didn’t feel right taking on such a demanding job while his family was going through a difficult period. Christopher Reeve eventually stepped into the cape and made history.

2 He starred in about 10 films with his father

THE COMANCHEROS, from left: Bruce Cabot, Patrick Wayne, John Wayne, 1961,

20th Century-Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection

His first role came at age 11 in Rio Grande, and he went on to appear in The Quiet Man, The Searchers, Donovan’s Reef and several others. Their final collaboration came in Big Jake in 1971. Even behind the scenes, he was part of the crew, assisting the property master on Hondo when he was just 14. Acting became part of his upbringing and he followed in his father’s footsteps.

3 He was a sci-fi/fantasy hero in the 1970s

SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER, Patrick Wayne, 1977

Everett Collection

While he started in Westerns and war dramas, Patrick found unexpected success in the fantasy genre. In 1977, he took on the lead in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, where he battled mythical creatures created by special effects legend Ray Harryhausen. That same year, he also starred in The People That Time Forgot, based on an Edgar Rice Burroughs story. These adventure films gained him a whole new fan base and they also proved that he could hold his own as a leading man outside of his father’s shadow.

4 Beloved game show host

Everett Collection

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he became a familiar face on television, with guest roles on shows like Fantasy Island, Murder, She Wrote, Charlie’s Angels and The Love Boat. But he made a serious impression as a game show host, taking on the gig twice: in 1980, he hosted The Monte Carlo Show, and a decade later, he took the reins on the revived version of Tic-Tac-Dough.

5 Honored family’s legacy with with the John Wayne Cancer Institute

Ken Whitmore/TV Guide/Everett Collection

After his older brother, Michael, passed away in 2003, Patrick stepped into a new leadership role as Chairman of the John Wayne Cancer Institute. The organization was created in memory of their father, who died of stomach cancer in 1979. Patrick has helped continue its mission of supporting cancer research and treatment. In 2015, he received an award in Spain for his work in film and proudly mentioned his Spanish heritage through his maternal grandparents. Though he eventually stepped back from acting, his later years have been focused on making a real difference, just as his father once hoped to do.

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