- Nicknamed "Duke," he rose to fame through his starring roles in Westerns and war movies during Hollywood's Golden Age
- His career spanned over five decades and more than 170 films
- John Wayne is closely associated with Tucson and southern Arizona due to his numerous films shot at Old Tucson Studios
- He filmed four classic Westerns there: Rio Bravo, McLintock!, El Dorado, and Rio Lobo
- Old Tucson was expanded for Rio Bravo, with many of the iconic buildings constructed for the movie ... Wayne's presence helped solidify its reputation as a filming location
- Wayne also had a ranch just northeast of Nogales, further strengthening his ties to southern Arizona ... 674 acres between Kino Springs and the Nogales International Airport ... includes the famed Duke's Hill parcel overlooking the Kino Springs Golf Course and the Santa Cruz River ... Map