MICHAEL WAYNE

http://www.jwaynefan.com/images/michael.jpg

Information From IMDb

Date of Birth
23 November 1934, Los Angeles, California, USA

Date of Death
2 April 2003, Burbank, California, USA (heart failure)

Birth Name
Michael Anthony Morrison

Spouse
Gretchen Wayne (1958 - 2 April 2003) (his death) 5 children

Trivia
Son of John Wayne and Josephine Alicia Saenz

Following his father's death in 1979 from cancer, Michael Wayne announced plans to film a John Wayne biopic, which was never produced.

Children: son Christopher; daughters Alicia, Josephine, Maria and Teresa.

Brother of Patrick Wayne, Toni Wayne and Melinda Wayne

Half-brother of Ethan Wayne, Aissa Wayne and Marisa Wayne

According to Gary Wills' "John Wayne's America," John Wayne "called his son Michael 'Krushchev' behind his back because of his harsh bearing and unforgiving ways." The Duke told his third wife, Pilar Wayne, that Michael had never gotten over his abandonment of Michael's mother Josie, his first wife.

Uncle of Brendan Wayne

Nephew of Robert E. Morrison

Michael and his wife, Gretchen Wayne, were guests on the TV show "You Bet Your Life" (1950) with Groucho Marx when they were married only 2 months. He had just been executive producer for Escort West (1958) with Victor Mature and was only 23 years old at the time.

Uncle of 'David La Cava'.

Brother-in-law of Frankie Avalon. Their wives are sisters.

Personal Quotes
"I produced McLintock! (1963) when I was 25 years old. I don't think if I wasn't John Wayne's son, I would have had that opportunity. It wasn't all smooth, working with my father; there were a lot of bumps along the way, both for him and me, but I wish he were still around so we could get in arguments".

Mini Biography
Michael Wayne was the eldest son of John Wayne and his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz, the daughter from a socially prominent Latina family living in Los Angeles. He graduated from Loyola University of California in 1956 and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. His interest in film production began when he served as a production assistant during the filming of the John Ford 1951 classic The Quiet Man (1952), which starred his father. Michael Wayne joined his father's film production, Batjac, during the filming of The Alamo (1960) and became the line producer for McLintock! (1963). He subsequently produced many star vehicles for his father, including Brannigan (1975), The Green Berets (1968), Big Jake (1971) and The Train Robbers (1973).

Following his father's death from cancer in 1979, Michael Wayne served as the head of Wayne Enterprises, which owns many of his father's films. Other business interests included movie distribution, merchandising his father's image, real estate and other investments. He also served as the chairman of the board of the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Marcd30319

Biography from Wikipedia
Born in Los Angeles, California, Michael graduated from
Loyola University of California in 1956 with a Business degree
and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Michael began his film career as a production assistant
on the set of the John Ford film The Quiet Man in 1951.
He joined his father’s film production company, Batjac,
for Alamo (1960) and became line producer for McLintock! (1963)
and producer on many other John Wayne vehicles including Big Jake (1971)
and Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973).

Michael, who developed the reputation of being a good businessman,
served on the board of the Motion Picture and Television Fund and
was The John Wayne Foundation's president and chairman of the board.
Following the death of his father in 1979,
Wayne worked to retain control of his father's estate
and film legacy as the head of Wayne Enterprises.
He also was founder and chairman of the board
of the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center.

Michael and his wife, Gretchen, raised five children,
son Christopher, daughters Alicia, Josephine, Maria and Teresa.
He died at the age of 68 of heart failure as the result of complications from lupus.

Filmography

Producer
1. Brannigan (1975) (executive producer)
... aka Joe Battle
2. McQ (1974) (executive producer)
3. Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) (producer) (as Michael A. Wayne)
... aka Cahill (UK)
... aka Wednesday Morning
4. The Train Robbers (1973) (producer)
5. Big Jake (1971) (producer)
6. Chisum (1970) (executive producer) (as Michael A. Wayne)
7. The Green Berets (1968) (producer)
8. Cast a Giant Shadow (1966) (co-producer)
9. McLintock! (1963) (producer)
10. The Alamo (1960) (associate producer)

Actor:
1. The Lost Platoon (1991) .... Hayden
2. Rapid Fire (1989) .... Eddy Williams
3. The Conqueror(1956) (uncredited) .... Mongol guard
... aka Conqueror of the Desert
4. The Quiet Man (1952) (uncredited) .... Teenage Boy at Races

Miscellaneous Crew:
1. Brannigan (1975) (presenter)
... aka Joe Battle
2. The Alamo (1960) (assistant to producer)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director:
1. The Alamo (1960) (first assistant director: second unit) (uncredited)

Thanks
1. I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special (2001) (TV) (special thanks)
2. John Wayne's 'The Alamo' (1992) (V) (thanks)
3. The Making of 'The Quiet Man' (1992) (V) (thanks: photos)

Self
1. "E! True Hollywood Story" .... Himself (1 episode, 1999)
- James Bacon: Hollywood Confidential (1999) TV episode .... Himself
2. Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick (1996) .... Himself
3. The Making of 'Sands of Iwo Jima' (1993) (V) .... Himself
4. John Wayne's 'The Alamo' (1992) (V) .... Himself
5. The Making of 'The Quiet Man' (1992) (V) .... Himself
6. "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" .... Himself (1 episode, 1968)
... aka Laugh-In
- Episode #2.3 (1968) TV episode .... Himself

Archive Footage:
1. Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That (2005) (TV) .... Himself

Here is a previous thread about Michael:-

Michael Wayne (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=424)

Here's a link to Michaels passing:-

Michael Wayne Dies (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=79)

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/AndyJohnWaynesonMichaelWayne-filmed.jpg
Duke, with Michael on the set of Chisum

Michael Wayne, was as good as anyone could be,
to look after his father's latter career.
It would appear, Duke trusted in him and he of Duke.
I don't think any Duke fan would underestimate,
the role that Michael had in Duke's movie life.
During The Alamo, he joined Batjac,
and became the producer for many of Duke's
more recent movies, eventually heading Batjac.

Michael said of his father,

My father became the symbol of the cowboy,
he wasn't a cowboy, but people saw him that way


I'll tell you what I enjoyed, most about my father..my father knew what space he occupied.But what was refreshing about him, was that he used to tell me,

Michael, when you start believing your own bullshit,
that's when you're in trouble
Michael maintained.

He didn't care about producers,
he didn't care about heads of studios,
he cared about his fans

During the sad later days of Duke's life,
Michael, became the family spokesman, and liased with the Doctors.

Michael said, when Duke recieved the Archbishop of Panama.

He was baptized a Catholic, just before he died....
I think he did if for the family. My mother was a Catholic,
and all of us kids were.
Every wife of his was a Catholic, although my father was not
a religous man in formal way. He was very moral..

Aissa Wayne, later recalled, she thought her father was heavy on drugs,
and never believed he would have done this otherwise!

Here's a photo of Duke, Josephine and Michael in the hospital after Michael's birth.

http://www.dukewayne.com/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=23

Mark

Michael,
Did Not Have Patrick's and Ethan's Good Looks, But Did Take Good Care of His Father Duke but that was about all He Did !
Bill

Can someone tell me why there aren't but one or two pictures of Michael Wayne? There might be more out there, but I've never seen them. Thanks!

Dixie

Can someone tell me why there aren't but one or two pictures of Michael Wayne? There might be more out there, but I've never seen them. Thanks!

Dixie
I think probably, because Michael was more laid back and 'shy'
than say Patrick.
He tended to be more 'behind the scenes'.
The are pics of him on 'The Alamo' set,
but the one I used on his Biography,
is about the best I could find.

Dixie and Keith,
Mike Wayne was Not Blessed with the Good Looks that His Two Brothers Patrick and Ethan had, and stayed more in the Background and in His Office.
:shades_smile:
The Site Below will show you some Pictures that were taken at the 26 Bar Ranch Cattle Sales, back in the 1960s and 1970s !
:wink_smile:
http://www.ranch26bar.com/MIKE_WAYNE.html


Chilibill
:cowboy:

As the posts in General Discussions
were specifally about Michael Wayne,
I hve moved them here to the dedicated thread.

Thanks Chilibill. I have never seen those before. You can call me weird if you'd like to, but I don't think Michael was a bad looking man. His looks improved when he got older. I watched the video when he's showing the vault of his dad's things. I thought he was attractive. Thanks for taking the time to show that link. I appreciate it.

Dixie

Here's a very early picture of Michael

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/New004.jpg

Mike Wayne was Not Blessed with the Good Looks that His Two Brothers Patrick and Ethan had . . . .
:shades_smile:
The Site Below will show you some Pictures that were taken at the 26 Bar Ranch Cattle Sales, back in the 1960s and 1970s !
:wink_smile:
http://www.ranch26bar.com/MIKE_WAYNE.html


Chilibill
:cowboy:

In the second to last picture, there is a picture of Patrick Wayne, that hardly looks like him . . . in fact, I think it's the worst I've ever seen him look . . . his hair's kind of long, it just doesn't look like him.

Just my opinion, of course . . .

Mrs. C :angel1: (who generally thinks Patrick Wayne is VERY good-looking!)

Thanks for the early years picture of Patrick, Keith. The Duke being in it in swim trunks don't hurt the eyes none either. LOL

Dixie

Mike Wayne was pretty much in charge of Duke's business dealings untill His Passing in 1979 .
:wink:
Below are some Pictures of Mike and Pat Wayne at the Cattle Sales in Arizona, and One Good Picture of Duke's 7 Children !
:teeth_smile:
Chilibill
:cowboy:
http://www.ranch26bar.com/MIKE_WAYNE.html

Just to re-introduce Duke's late eldest son to our newer members

Michael had done well with the Dukes affairs since his death. Since Michael's death is Patrick in charge?

To the best of my knowledge, Gretchen Wayne (Michael's wife) took over at Batjac upon Michael's death.

Meanwhile, Duke's son Ethan holds the reins at Wayne Enterprises.

Hey gang! With regard to the "missing" or deleted scenes in Big Jake, Michael Wayne was in charge of Batjac. He was NOT very well liked by most all accounts. He was loyal to his father's interests, sometimes at odds even with Duke.

He refused to release movies (a couple include High & the Mighty & Island in the Sky), for years despite HUGE public demand, as he was mecurial in nature, and was given to unreasonable and highly unrealistic demands at times. Not ALWAYS, mind you, but usually at the worst possible times for the company with regards to the fan base.

He was an incredibly shrewd & gifted business man, but had no problem whatsoever alienating anyone he perceived as an enemy - including family members. I know this looks like an hatchet job on Michael, but anyone who has read anything I've posted here or on IMDb knows of my devotion to JW, and my defense of his image and my disdain for anyone who attacks him. I've said all that to to say this: It would not surprise me at all to find out that Michael had refused to reissue any special editions unless some incredibly insane demands were met. I also would not be surprised if all the extra footage (if it does exist) was destroyed for whatever reason by Michael.

Also...Gretchen Wayne, his widow, took over for him as head of the family business, and from what I know of the situation, she is nearly as unyielding and unreasonable as he was. Ethan and Patrick, on the other hand, are both VERY fine people, and fair-minded regarding their father, his image and enterprise.

Wow..."them's more words I spoke since I knowed ya..."

I forgot one thing...The missing footage could simply be sitting in one of the many Batjac vaults - tucked away unnoticed for nearly 40 years. Maybe we need to conact Ethan and get him on it...

Chester does Batjac continue to produce movies? :shades_smile:

To the best of my knowledge, Gretchen Wayne (Michael's wife) took over at Batjac upon Michael's death.

Meanwhile, Duke's son Ethan holds the reins at Wayne Enterprises.


Jim you are correct and from what I know they do not get along.I,am told
Gretchen is very controling and on the outs with other family members.
And also i,am almost positive Batjac does not make movies anymore.

Hey gang! With regard to the "missing" or deleted scenes in Big Jake, Michael Wayne was in charge of Batjac. He was NOT very well liked by most all accounts. He was loyal to his father's interests, sometimes at odds even with Duke.

He refused to release movies (a couple include High & the Mighty & Island in the Sky), for years despite HUGE public demand, as he was mecurial in nature, and was given to unreasonable and highly unrealistic demands at times. Not ALWAYS, mind you, but usually at the worst possible times for the company with regards to the fan base.

He was an incredibly shrewd & gifted business man, but had no problem whatsoever alienating anyone he perceived as an enemy - including family members. I know this looks like an hatchet job on Michael, but anyone who has read anything I've posted here or on IMDb knows of my devotion to JW, and my defense of his image and my disdain for anyone who attacks him. I've said all that to to say this: It would not surprise me at all to find out that Michael had refused to reissue any special editions unless some incredibly insane demands were met. I also would not be surprised if all the extra footage (if it does exist) was destroyed for whatever reason by Michael.

Also...Gretchen Wayne, his widow, took over for him as head of the family business, and from what I know of the situation, she is nearly as unyielding and unreasonable as he was. Ethan and Patrick, on the other hand, are both VERY fine people, and fair-minded regarding their father, his image and enterprise.

Wow..."them's more words I spoke since I knowed ya..."

Thought I'd copy this one over here, from the Big Jake review.
Thanks The Tennesseean, it's a great post.

I appreciate the kind words. I have a great amount of awe and respect for all things JW, and I really enjoy this forum.

Mr Tennesseean,
I think it is great, the devotin that you have for JW but to use your words, the hatchet job you did on Michael is so far from the truth. Michael was a good friend of mine and he was a very well respected business man, if you made a deal with him all you needed was a hand shack. He was so well liked that there were over 1600 people at his funeral mass and most were from the movie business.
Michael didn't release High And The Mighty and Island In The Sky because they needed major restoration and and at the time the technology wasn't available to do it right, and when it was available he wasn't in very good health so he couldn't put the time into it. When it comes to Big Jake, Batjac doesn't own the rights to the film and if the people that do don't ask for the deleted scenes, if there are any how can you blame Michael.
I have never met Patrick but he seems like a great guy but Ethan if he is so fair-minded regarding his fathers image then why dose he have that guy that bans everybody running his website.
Like I said before Michael was a good friend of mine and I respect your devotion to his father, but I will always be devoted to Michael and I was a lucky man to have known him.
Chris

Thanks Chris!

I have never had the pleasure of meeting Michael but I know people who knew him such as Luster Bayless and they have nothing but kind words for him. I,am sure no one here meant any disrespect.

Chris - It was never my intention to insult anyone, and I wasn't the person who pasted this here. My original post had to do with Big Jake. Since you knew Michael Wayne, you'll need to read my post again. He was a good businessman, and I made sure to point out that he wasn't ALWAYS difficult to work with, but he could be, and with some regularity. This comes from people who dealt with him more than a few times (some good, some not), and with all due respect to you and your "hand shake deals" with Michael, you are the ONLY one that I've heard of that had the honor of this, it seems.

I know you expect that to be a "man's word is his bond" kind of doing business, but that is NOT the way business is done at ALL in Hollywood and you know it. You would be eaten ALIVE in your first deal, and MW knew that better than anyone, so don't try acting that way with the adults on this board.

Due to the number of people that have spoken of having "less than positive" dealings with him (including many that I know personally and trust), I stand by my post. As I said before, he's done so much for his dad's image and name through the years, but there HAVE been down sides.

As to the release of the movies you and I mentioned, there WERE issues regarding restoration to VHS yes (the DVDs came out years after his death), but it has been pointed out MANY times by more than a few people that MW WAS holding out for reasons known to himself, BUT...it is true he was seriously ill for quite some time with Lupus before he passed away from heart failure.

No matter what ANYONE thought about MW's tactics at times (you and I won't agree, and that's ok-because we're all grownups), he WAS JW's son, and THAT in large part was why there were 1600 people at his mass.

Chris - I worked in LA for many years and knew a wide variety of folks in nearly every aspect of entertainment, and you learn right away to tell shoe polish from shinola. I don't spread rumors, as it's an insult to the person's memory, and I'm curious as to the comment you made about Ethan. What did you mean, exactly? I'm not trying to be combative, I'm just trying to be clear.

As to Big Jake, did you read my next post? I realize Batjac might not still own the rights to it, but the missing reels might be sitting in a vault unnoticed, and Paramount Home Video (who released the DVD) might've chosen to use the scenes had they known about them, OR...as it goes a lot of times, they might just have wanted to get it out quick. Again - cherish what you had with MW, but don't shoot the messenger simply because you don't agree with the message. It was not spoken out of malice.

I never said that Michael wasn't a tuff business man, your right that you would be eaten alive in that business, but I got to know him after he was done making films and all of my business was done on a hand shake. I am one adult that new him and he may be tuff but he was very fair when it came to the business I had with him. You are putting a man down that you never met I am assuming and are going on hearsay from people you say you trust, but what is the purpose of putting a man down when he never did you wrong.
When it comes to his funeral mass would you have gone to the mass because he was JW's son if you didn't like him. I will agree that some of the people that were at the mass were people looking to see stars, but those stars and movie people were there out of respect for Michael.
As for what I said about Ethan if he is looking out for his fathers image why would he put Dakota Surfer in charge of the website for his fathers fans and all he dose is ban everyone from the site for not agreeing with him. I know some people that have called about what is happing on the website and nothing has been done as far as I know but I can't get on.
You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that, but Michael was a friend and I will defend him so people will not form there opinion on the negative hearsay like you have.

Chris - I'm glad you had a good relationship with Michael, and I mean that sincerely. As to the issue with Ethan...I don't know how to help you there.

As for everything else, I'll just borrow a line from Forrest Gump and reply..."That's all I have to say about that..."

Great pic of of the late Michael, I will also copy this to
Sons Of The Saddle- Michael Wayne (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=4059)