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Stories

John Wayne Thought Gene Hackman Was The ‘Worst Actor In Town’

by Lauren Novak

Published July 11, 2022

John Wayne hated Gene Hackman

John Wayne was an iconic actor but in his personal life, he could be a bit controversial. He had feuds with many other actors, especially those with differing political views. One of those actors was Gene Hackman, who he reportedly thought was the “worst actor in town.”

John’s daughter Aissa wrote a book about her father and detailed his relationship with Gene. She wrote, “When it came to his contemporaries in film, I only heard him speak once with any real venom. Gene Hackman could never appear on-screen without my father skewering his performance.”

Related:

  1. Why Hollywood Icon John Wayne Labeled Gene Hackman ‘Worst Actor In Town’
  2. Clint Eastwood, Rival To John Wayne, Thought The Duke Was “Brilliant” In This Role

John Wayne’s daughter talks about his dislike of Gene Hackman among others

HONDO, John Wayne, 1953
HONDO, John Wayne, 1953 / Everett Collection

She added, “I wish I could tell you why he so harshly criticized Hackman, but he never went into detail. Although it’s pure speculation, had my father lived to see more of his work, I think his view of Mr Hackman would have changed. Back then, however, my father called Hackman ‘the worst actor in town. He’s awful.’”

RELATED: John Wayne Insulted One Iconic Clint Eastwood Film

BAT 21, Gene Hackman, 1988
BAT 21, Gene Hackman, 1988. ©TriStar Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Aissa noted that Gene wasn’t the only actor that her dad criticized. She once said that Gone with the Wind star Clark Gable was another object of his harsh words. He reportedly said that Clark was “extremely handsome in person” but “an idiot.”

John Wayne, 1970
John Wayne, 1970. ph: Martin Mills / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection

Aissa wonders if he just disliked Clark because of his loyalty to his friend John Ford. She explained, “During the filming of ‘Mogambo,’ Ford and Gable had clashed again and again and the subsequent feud had simmered for years. In my father’s way of thinking, disloyalty to allies, support in any fashion for their enemies, was expressly forbidden. If Clark Gable took on John Ford, my father’s code demanded that John Wayne stand by his old pal.”

RELATED: Inside The Feud Between John Wayne and Frank Sinatra

Next up: ‘Say Yes To The Dress’ Star Randy Fenoli Isn’t A Fan Of Princess Diana’s Wedding Dress

Previous article: ‘Say Yes To The Dress’ Star Randy Fenoli Isn’t A Fan Of Princess Diana’s Wedding Dress
Next Post: Demi Moore Opens Up About The Backstory Behind Bathing Suit Line

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