Michael Wayne

A longtime movie producer in addition to being the eldest son of cowboy legend John Wayne, Michael Wayne made a name for himself as the man behind such features as McLintock! (1963) and Chisum (1970). Born in Los Angeles in 1934, as an adult Wayne would develop a reputation as a tough businessman. In addition to keeping an ever-present, watchful eye on his productions, he served on the board of the Motion Picture and Television Fund and was The John Wayne Foundation's president and chairman of the board. Following the death of his father in 1979, Wayne focused increasingly on keeping control of his father's cinematic legacy. Wayne would marry wife Gretchen in 1958, and together they would organize the John Wayne Foundation's annual Odyssey Ball fundraiser. Remaining together until Wayne's death resulting from heart failure in April of 2003, the longtime couple raised five children together.