John Wayne

John Wayne’s seven children and their co-starring roles in his hit Western films uncovered

JOHN WAYNE had seven children - but few know of how the devoted family man once arranged for them to travel with him while he filmed his Hollywood Westerns, and even gave them roles in his hit movies.

The late John Wayne is famous in the acting world, but his children, on the other hand, have always kept a low profile. Only the keenest fans would recognise how his family members have also appeared in his movies – albeit in much smaller roles.

Scarcely known Mary Antonia, his eldest daughter from his first marriage to Josephine Alicia Saenz, made an appearance in The Quiet Man back in 1952.

She made her acting debut in the film, which was intended by director John Ford to be a love letter to Ireland, at the tender age of 16.

Her appearance meant that she was able to travel with her father to the Emerald Isle, and due to her age, she could easily take on the project without missing out on any of her schooling.

Mary Antonia, who was affectionately known as Toni, rejected the idea of taking on the showbiz lifestyle full-time, however.

John Wayne children family films daughter son movie roles news latest

John Wayne shares family moments with daughters Marissa and Aissa (Image: GETTY/INSTAGRAM)

John Wayne children family films daughter son movie roles news latest

John Wayne with four of his children Patrick, Melinda Toni and Michael (Image: GETTY)

Going on to have eight children of her own, her primary role was as a wife and mother.

However, she did participate in some other projects, including the insightful 1992 production The Making Of The Quiet Man, before sadly dying of lung cancer in 2000, aged 48.

Her sister Melinda also appeared in The Quiet Man, although it would be the only film role that she took on.

Meanwhile, appearing alongside Mary in the last of her father’s films that she participated in, The Alamo, was her half-sister Aissa, the product of John’s marriage to third wife Pilar Pallette.

Turning the movie, which John himself directed, into a family affair, Mary’s then infant daughter Anita Swift was also recruited to appear.

“That was my first and last film. I’m the baby in my mother’s arms as they’re leaving the Alamo,” Anita later explained to American Cowboy.

Mary’s son Brendan Wayne had more longevity in the industry, choosing to become a full-time actor and appearing on The Mandalorian on Disney Plus.

Perhaps the most famous of John’s children is Patrick, who pursued the dream of following in his father’s footsteps the most prolifically.

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