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Was John Wayne friends with Ben Johnson?
Johnson, 72, has been in the movie business since age 19. He has played supporting roles to some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including several movies with his longtime friend, the late John Wayne.
Who was John Wayne’s BFF?
Ward Bond
But one of the American icon’s longest friendships was with Ward Bond, whom he met at the very beginning of his career in Hollywood. Bond and Wayne were longtime friends for a reason. Both actors played football at the University of Southern California.
Was Ben Johnson a real life cowboy?
The world recognizes Ben Johnson as a cowboy. Not just a movie cowboy, but as a bona-fide, real-life cowboy. He is as well known and respected at ranches and rodeos as he is in Hollywood, where he has worked for almost 50 years in the motion-picture business. Ben was born in Foracre, Okla., on June 13, 1918.
Who was the best horse rider in Westerns?
Westerns expert James Denniston adds, “The Duke [in his early career], Wild Bill Elliott, Randolph Scott, Slim Pickens, Richard Boone and Jimmy Stewart all rode well. As big as he was, Andy Devine was a good rider. Jack Palance hated horses, couldn’t ride a step, and Shane was his first riding part.
How many movies did Ben Johnson make with John Wayne?
Ben Johnson was cast in four films with John Wayne, the second and third of director, John Ford’s cavalry trilogy: ‘She Wore A Yellow Ribbon’ in 1949, and ‘Rio Grande’ in 1950. 1969 and 1970 saw the two working together again, with director Andrew McLaglen in ‘The Undefeated’, which also had Rock Hudson in it, and ‘Chisum’.
How did Ben Johnson get his acting career?
Ben Johnson (actor) The son of a rancher, Johnson arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film. He did stunt-double work for several years before breaking into acting through the good offices of John Ford. Tall and laconic, Johnson brought further authenticity to many roles in Westerns with his extraordinary horsemanship.
Who was the stunt man for John Wayne?
Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo performer when, in 1940, Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to California. He decided to stick around (the pay was good), and for some years was a stunt man, horse wrangler, and double for such stars as John Wayne, Gary Cooper
Where did Ben Johnson live as a child?
Ben Johnson was born on the Osage Indian Reservation in June 1918 of Irish and Cherokee ancestry. When he was a young man, Johnson traveled with his father on the rodeo champion, where he soon became a champion. In 1953, he was the Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association’s Team Roping World Championship.