John Wayne didn’t always have good aim: he scolded this legend for a “crybaby” role that almost earned him an Oscar

John Wayne, the legendary star of Western cinema, was a true pioneer in Hollywood. However, his distinctive personality in close quarters often led to controversy and confrontations with many of his colleagues.

Even so, some people learned how to deal with him. They came to appreciate his other qualities and chose to overlook certain blunt remarks or unfriendly gestures.

That was the case with Kirk Douglas, one of Hollywood’s most famous actors, who worked with Wayne on three different films. Over time they developed a solid friendship. Still, not even Douglas could avoid taking a few shots from the Duke.

John Wayne’s clash with Kirk Douglas

Wayne and Douglas worked together in three movies: In Harm’s Way (1965), Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), and The War Wagon (1967). Although they had very different personalities and ways of thinking, they managed to build a strong friendship based on the admiration they felt for each other.

Douglas recalled this on several occasions: “We have never seen eye to eye on a lot of things, but professionally, he’s one of the most professional actors I’ve ever worked with.” Douglas also remembered that Wayne was always the first to arrive on set and the last to leave noting the Duke was “the hardest worker I’ve ever worked with.”

Even so, they once had a minor clash, sparked by Wayne’s famously blunt opinions. Douglas had starred in the biographical film Lust for Life, directed by Vincente Minnelli, and his performance as painter Vincent van Gogh did not sit well with Wayne.

John Wayne berated Kirk Douglas for playing a “weak, sniveling” character

“There’s a famous story about that,” Douglas explained on Conversations with Classic Film Stars. “When I played van Gogh in Lust for Life, we had a private showing of it and John Wayne was there. We had a little supper party and Wayne had a few drinks.”

Wayne could not keep quiet. “Afterward, he motioned to me to go out on the veranda with him and he berated me! He said, ‘How the hell could you play a goddamn character like that?’ And I said, ‘What do you mean? I’m an actor. He’s a fascinating character.’ And Wayne said, ‘No, no. We should never play those kind of weak, sniveling characters. I don’t ever want to see you in a part like that again! They have no dignity!’”

Despite Wayne’s criticism, Douglas remained confident in his performance as Van Gogh. In fact, the role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. “I have always believed it’s important for an actor to know the difference between make-believe and reality,” Douglas reflected years later. “So I’ve never hesitated to kid myself if the part calls for it.”

Lust for Life is currently available to rent across various streaming platforms in the United States.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.