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Thursday, May 24, 2007 Happy 100th birthday, John Wayne! Readers celebrate John Wayne's 100th birthday with stories about their local run-ins with the actor. By NIYAZ PIRANI The Orange County Register If there's one thing I've learned from asking readers to send in stories about John Wayne, it's this: people really loved the guy.
Even if they didn't know him personally, many speak of brief encounters with his gentle ways and humorous personality as if they're talking about somebody they've known for years.
The Duke turns 100 years old Saturday, so we thought we'd celebrate with our very own birthday card.
Happy Birthday, John Wayne, from the people of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.
GETTING PAID
I was lucky enough to be invited to Wayne's home on Bayshore Drive for a New Year's Eve party.
When the Duke came up to speak to me, I just looked up (and looked up) at him and told him how sad I was when he died in "The Shootist."
He gave me his big smile and in his unforgettable drawl, he just said, "Well, little lady, they paid me well for it."
He really was larger than life and always a gentleman.
Sassy Luby Costa Mesa
A WALK TO REMEMBER
My late mother was waiting her turn in line at the Bank of America in Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach when she heard a commotion. Looking behind her, she saw that John Wayne had entered the bank. While he was in line, he was asked for autographs by all who were there.
My mother was never one to fawn over celebrities, so she just patiently waited in line. When the commotion died down, my mother looked back at Mr. Wayne whereupon he stated to her, "I suppose you'd like my autograph, too."
She replied to him, "Not unless you'd like to put it on one of your checks." Getting a kick out of my mother's comment and not missing a beat, he replied, "Now you sound like one of my ex-wives." They both got a chuckle out of that.
Well, Mom never got an autograph, but as she was leaving the bank, Mr. Wayne was waiting, holding the door open for her as she exited. She told him, "You don't have to do that."
He replied in his unmistakable fashion: "Well, I know a lady when I see one."
He then took her by the arm and escorted her to her car, where she thanked him and they said goodbye.
Kent M. Paul Costa Mesa
SPECIAL DELIVERY
In 1978, I was employed by a boutique law firm in Newport Beach. The firm represented a company, and John Wayne was a member of its board of directors.
I prepared a notice of the annual meeting of the board of directors, and I contemplated personally delivering the notice to the Duke. I asked Debbie, my co-worker, what she thought, and she thought it was a cool idea.
Debbie and I drove to the Duke's home in the Bayshores community, giggling and planning our strategy. Upon being greeted at the front door, I asked, "If Mr. Wayne is here, do you think we could see him?"
All of a sudden, we heard John Wayne's megaphone-like voice say, "Well, tell 'em to come on in!"
He told stories of memorabilia items in his collection and, of course, proudly shared how honored he was to receive his Oscar for "True Grit."
Our one-hour visit, the Duke's charm and warm heart that day kept two 20-somethings giddy for a long time and provided a newfound respect for him as a good citizen as well as an accomplished actor.
Jani Wilson Newport Beach
PULL OVER
I retired several years ago after 29 years with the Newport Beach Police Department.
One day in the late '70s, while assigned as a motorcycle officer, I was parked in front of Chick Iverson's on Coast Highway.
John Wayne drove by, honked his horn and waved to me. Having never met him, I figured this was my best opportunity.
I pulled out onto the highway and caught up with him in the left-turn lane into Bayshores. I parked my bike behind him and approached his open driver's window.
I was welcomed with a loud, warm greeting. We ended up talking for close to 10 minutes. Needless to say, it was an unbelievable experience to have a private one-on-one with a living legend.
Several years ago, Lt. Jim Carson retired from the Newport Beach Police Department. At his retirement party, he said, "When I was hired by Newport, its most famous citizen was John Wayne. Now it's Dennis Rodman. It's time for me to leave."
Rick Schulz Newport Beach
DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS
When I was about 4 years old, my mother took me shopping at Sears in South Coast Plaza.
There we were in the bedding department, when suddenly my mom started chatting excitedly with a very large man. The man bent down to me and asked, "Do you know who I am?"
Indignant, and not at all happy at how uncomfortable he made my mother, I replied: "No, I don't, but we shouldn't talk to strangers."
John Wayne smiled, patted me on the head, handed each of us an autograph and sauntered away.
Kelly Rann Huntington Beach
FINDING INSPIRATION
I was working at the B. Dalton Bookseller at Fashion Island in the mid-'70s when I got a call from a woman looking for a Western entitled "The Shootist." I put her on hold and searched the Westerns section for the book and could not find it.
Back on the phone, a very familiar voice said, "Well, this is John Wayne, and I'd like to make this book into my next picture. Can you check again?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Wayne" was my response. I checked the hardback fiction section, found it and told him we had the book. A runner was sent over immediately.
What a thrill! I am the fella who sold John Wayne the book that was to become his last film.
Jeff Wolfe Costa Mesa
A DRESSING ROOM ENCOUNTER
In the early '70s, I was visiting Orange County from Michigan and went to visit my aunt who worked in the credit department of a major department store. She got a call from one of their departments and grabbed me saying, "Come quick."
We went to the little boys department and were told that John Wayne was in the dressing room where his son was trying on jeans. I barged through the curtain, and there he was – he filled the entire aisle of dressing rooms.
I stuttered, "Mr. Wayne, I'm from Michigan, may I have your autograph?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little pre-autographed card and said, "Little lady, this will have to do."
I still have that card, and to this day, I am so embarrassed at my tenacity. Hopefully, his son, Ethan, doesn't remember.
Cory Walsh Lake Forest
JUST FRIENDS
My dad used to frequent a restaurant at Fashion Island called Bob Burns. He went in one day in the mid-'70s and saw John Wayne sitting at the bar. My dad, being the forward guy that he was, sat down next to him and said: "Hi Duke, how are you doing?"
John Wayne looked at him and said, "Only my friends call me Duke!"
This was a classic moment!
Kim Anderson Costa Mesa
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