• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • ABOUT US
  • MEDIA
  • PRIVACY
  • TERMS
  • DMCA
  • CONTACT US
  • AUTHORS
do you remember

DoYouRemember?

The Home of Nostalgia

  • Celebrity News
    • Family
    • Obituaries
    • Life Behind the Fame
    • ICONS
    • Celebrity Feuds
  • Entertainment
    • Cast
    • Showbiz Rewind
    • Music
    • Beauty & fashion
  • STORIES
  • Celebrity Buzz!?
  • Sitcoms
    • Bewitched
    • Little Rascals
    • The Partridge Family
    • I Dream of Jeannie
    • All in the Family
    • MASH
    • Happy Days
    • Cheers
  • Celebrity Collections
  • SHOP DYR
    • DYR Book

Stories

Revisiting John Wayne’s Final, Touching Oscars Speech

by Lauren Novak

Published April 1, 2022

John Waynes final public speech

John Wayne was an iconic actor that sadly passed away after several bouts of cancer. His last role was very close to home as he played a gunfighter dying of cancer in The Shootist. His final public appearance was at the 1979 Oscars and he shared a touching speech.

He said, “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. That’s just about the only medicine a fellow could ever really need. Believe me when I tell you that I’m mighty pleased that I can amble down here tonight. Well, Oscar and I have something in common. Oscar first came to the Hollywood scene in 1928. So did I. We’re both a little weather-beaten, but we’re still here and plan to be around for a whole lot longer.”

Related:

  1. John Lennon’s Son Sean Wishes Yoko Ono Happy Mother’s Day In Oscars Acceptance Speech
  2. Revisiting Husband’s Final Words To His Wife During The 9/11 Terror Attacks

Listen to John Wayne’s final public speech at the 1979 Oscars

THE UNDEFEATED, John Wayne, 1969
THE UNDEFEATED, John Wayne, 1969. TM & Copyright ©20th Century-Fox. All rights reserved/courtesy Everett Collection

Then, John announced the five nominees for the outstanding picture of the year. That year they were The Deer Hunter, Coming Home, Midnight Express, An Unmarried Woman, and Heaven Can Wait. He announced The Deer Hunter was the winner and helped hand out awards.

RELATED: John Wayne Turned Down This ‘Un-American’ Role

THE SHOOTIST, John Wayne, 1976
THE SHOOTIST, John Wayne, 1976 / Everett Collection

Unfortunately, a few months later he ultimately died of stomach cancer. He had been bravely going through trials to help scientists work on a vaccine. He was 72 years old at the time of death and was survived by his wife Pilar Pallete and his seven children. The kids now work together on a foundation to help cure cancer.

THE SHOOTIST, John Wayne, 1976
THE SHOOTIST, John Wayne, 1976 / Everett Collection

Watch John’s speech at the Oscars below and relive the moment that happened back in 1979. Then comment and tell us, what was your favorite John Wayne movie?

RELATED: John Wayne On His Personal Rule For Accepting Hollywood Roles

Next up: ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ Officially Ended After This Happened

Previous article: ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ Officially Ended After This Happened
Next Post: Delta Burke From ‘Designing Women’ Is 65 And Pulling At Heartstrings With Dolly Parton

Primary Sidebar

© 2025 DoYouRemember? Inc.

  • about us
  • media
  • privacy
  • terms
  • DMCA
  • CONTACT US
  • AUTHORS