USPS "Hollywood Legends" - John Wayne

 

USPS on 4 September 2004 issued in its "Legends of Hollywood" series  one of America's most beloved actors, John Wayne (Marion Morrison) who began his career as a prop boy and stuntman in the mid-1920s. He gradually worked his way into bit parts, including appearances in "Salute" (1929) and "Men Without Women" (1930), both directed by his future mentor John Ford. His first big break came in 1930 when director Raoul Walsh, acting on Ford's recommendation, cast Wayne in the starring role of "The Big Trail'. 

This sweeping saga of pioneers traveling the old Oregon Trail had all the ingredients for box-office success-a breakneck pace, edge-of-your-seat excitement and a dashing leading man. But "The Big Trail" did not succeed, and John Wayne quickly returned to bit parts, serials and B-westerns. In 1939, though, John Ford cast Wayne as the Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach", a role that brought him overnight stardom. More success, if not critical acclaim, followed in the early 1940s with "Flying Tigers" (1942), "The Fighting Seabees" (1944) and "They Were Expendable" (1945). 

In less than a decade, Wayne had gone from struggling B-movie actor to one of Hollywood's biggest box office draws. Then in 1949, Wayne received his first Academy Award nomination as Best Actor for his gripping portrayal of Sergeant John M. Stryker in "Sands of Two Jima". The Oscar was awarded to Broderick Crawford for "All the King's Men", but the nomination represented a milestone in Wayne's career: not only had he established himself as a major film star, but also as an actor of substance. 

The Oscar nominations would continue with "The Alamo" (1960) and finally "True Grit" (1969), for which he finally won an Oscar. Although he received no accolades for his roles in the John Ford classics "The Searchers" and "The Quiet Man", they are considered to be among his finest performances.

This Official First Day Cover features a 1939 publicity photograph of Wayne from his breakthrough film "Stagecoach". The cancellation postmark originated from Los Angeles, California.

Interestingly, John Wayne, along with Gary Cooper, are the only American actors to be honoured twice by the USPS.