The legendary actress who nearly lost it over John Wayne’s disgusting on‑set habit

John Wayne was known as a larger-than-life figure on screen, but off-camera, he could be a handful. His famously difficult personality often led to clashes with co-stars, directors, and crew during his long Hollywood career. While his turbulent relationship with director John Ford is well documented, one of the most unpleasant episodes came during his final film, 1976’s “The Shootist,” starring alongside Lauren Bacall.

“I’ll crack his head open with a broom”

By then, Wayne was a veteran actor who apparently didn’t care much for etiquette on set. Bacall, the Oscar-honored actress of “How to Marry a Millionaire” and “The Mirror Has Two Faces,” found his behavior intolerable. At one point, she reportedly exclaimed, “I’ll crack his head open with a broom,” completely exasperated by Wayne’s antics.

The source of Bacall’s outrage was Wayne’s constant habit of chewing tobacco and spitting wherever he pleased. According to the film’s director, Don Siegel, Wayne’s spitting was automatic, he wasn’t aiming to be malicious, but it was impossible to ignore.

Chewing tobacco “a lifelong habit”

Bacall confronted Siegel, saying, “If that big guy spits on my hem again, I’ll crack his head open with a broom.” Siegel tried to calm her, explaining, “The Duke doesn’t realize what he’s doing. Chewing tobacco was a lifelong habit, and spitting was just natural for him.”

Bacall, unconvinced, fired back, “Don’t try to be funny. I’m not in the mood for jokes.” Siegel insisted, “He’ll be embarrassed when you tell him. I can’t promise he won’t spit, but he won’t do it on you or anywhere near you.”

A reunion two decades in the making

Bacall and Wayne weren’t strangers - they had worked together 20 years earlier on “Blood Alley” (1955). Back then, Wayne apparently hadn’t developed - or at least hadn’t revealed - this particularly irritating habit.

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