Movie star John Wayne was a father of seven children and a doting grandfather. His kids spoke highly of him and shared he had a heart for people.
Actor John Wayne was a loving father to his brood, even in his last days. The veteran star was a dad to sons Patrick, Ethan, and Michael, including daughters Aissa, Marisa, Melinda, and Mary.
Actor John Wayne sitting on a chair and reading a Prince Valia comic with his four kids: Patrick, Melinda, Toni and Michael on January 1, 1942 in Hollywood, California ┃Source: Getty Images
Patrick is the oldest of six siblings and half-siblings, followed by Michael, Mary, Melinda, Aissa, Ethan, and Marisa. John shares Patrick, Mary, Michael, and Melinda with his first wife, Josephine Wayne.
The Hollywood star welcomed Aissa, Ethan, and Marisa with his third wife, Pilar Pallete. He had been married thrice but did not have kids with his second wife, Esperanza Baur.
When growing up, the Wayne brood spent family vacation adventures on the Wild Goose, a World War minesweeper that the father of seven converted into a family yacht. The kids spent much of their childhood in Newport Beach, California. The blended family frequently traveled to Catalina Island, San Diego, and Mexico on the 136-foot yacht.
Five of John’s kids attended a “Q&A” wherein they once talked about him as a parent at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Ethan deemed his father a good parent:
“We’re here today as a family. And you’re all here because you love John Wayne. He was a great dad.”
Ethan and Patrick have followed in their father’s footsteps. The two brothers and their sister Marisa took acting lessons. Patrick performed at dinner theaters, summer stock, and on several TV shows and game shows.
While at the “Q&A” event, he talked about John’s last six weeks of his life, revealing that his dad was in severe agony but remained free-spirited:
“He was in constant pain, and he was very uncomfortable. But he still had grit and courage. He would often reach out to others in UCLA Medical Center and try to console them.”
Meanwhile, their siblings, Michael and Mary, also forged their paths in show business. Michael reportedly had cameo roles in his father’s movies. He liked the film industry so much that he worked his way up the ladder from production assistant to producer.
Michael also served on the board of the John Wayne Foundation and worked with his dad’s film company, Batjac Productions. Sadly, he died in 2003.
On the other hand, his sister Mary appeared in some of their father’s movies but later left it all behind after getting married and having kids. She, too, passed away in 2000. Mary’s half-sister, Aissa, worked as an attorney and, in 2015, reportedly endorsed Donald Trump for president. She still appears to be working as a lawyer to date.
John Has More than 23 Grandkids
Apart from being a dad, John was also a grandfather of more than 23 grandkids. His granddaughter is Alicia Maria McFarlane, Michael’s daughter.
John was once pictured holding one of his grandsons on the set of the Western film, “Big Jake.” He starred alongside two of his sons in that movie, Michael and Patrick.
Another grandson is Brendan Wayne, who recently took to Instagram and shared a photo featuring him, his wife, and his kids. He captioned the post: Thankful for my family and all the adventures that we take on!” during their trip to Calabria, Italy.
Brendan once said he had “no ego” when asked about he felt when people asked about his famous grandfather. “I’ve seen how far he reaches and how many people he touches in a positive way,” he explained.
Actor Brendan Wayne arrives at the “Cowboys & Aliens” World Premiere at the San Diego Civic Theatre on July 23, 2011 in San Diego, California ┃Source: Getty Images
Like his grandparent, he is also an actor and has appeared in “Cowboys and Aliens” and “The Mandalorian,” playing the man in the armor as Pedro Pascal’s double. Brendan has also starred in the blockbuster film franchise, “Fast & Furious.”
He is also a doting father of three daughters whom he shares with his wife, actress Sara Arrington. She appeared on “Safe House” and S.W.A.T.”
