One Famous Actress Wouldn’t Work With John Wayne For Years

While many fans love John Wayne and his movies, it turns out he wasn’t always that popular with his fellow celebrities. In fact, there was at least one actress that refused to work with him for a long time! Eventually, she came around but she called out his behavior and asked him to change. That actress was the iconic Katharine Hepburn.

In the ‘50s, John was a Republican who would often share his political views. Of course, this led to disagreements and other people didn’t always agree or like his views. John wanted Katharine to play Angie Lowe in his western film Hondo. However, after she discovered that he supported the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), she didn’t want to work with him.

Katharine Hepburn famously feuded with John Wayne

ROOSTER COGBURN, John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, 1975 / Everett Collection

In the ‘70s, she seemingly changed her mind. They worked together in the 1975 classic Rooster Cogburn. However, it doesn’t seem that all was well when they filmed the movie. After the movie was completed, Katharine spoke out about John, saying that he was always arguing with the crew and the director. She called him out during the film’s wrap party.

RELATED: John Wayne Once Had A Tantrum On The Set Of ‘Four Sons’

ROOSTER COGBURN, from left: John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, 1975 / Everett Collection

Reportedly, she told him, “I’m glad I didn’t know you when you had two lungs. You must have been a real b*****d. Losing a hip has mellowed me, but you!” Years later, before his death in 1979, they apparently made up and had some fun times together.