I just heard a commentator on MLB’s cable channel describe James McCann’s now famous act of continuing play after getting a fastball thrown in his face as “the John Wayning of the catcher position.”
Perfect. I enthusiastically endorse the transformation of “John Wayne” into a verb: it’s a much needed one. To John Wayne is to continue to pursue the completion of one’s commitment, assigned task, or duty despite obstacles, threats, pain, personal hardship and danger—even to the point of fanaticism, futility or certain failure.
The Duke would have loved his creation becoming a word to describe that iconic American character. I plan on doing my part to see that John Wayne, verb: John Wayned/John Wayning/ catches on.
Ethics Alarms 
Jack wrote, “To John Wayne is to continue to pursue the completion of one’s commitment, assigned task, or duty despite obstacles, threats, pain, personal hardship and danger—even to the point of fanaticism, futility or certain failure.”
That’s great!!!
While we are at the task of verbing a proper name, can we also turn John Wayne into preferred pronouns?
How would that work?
For a model of exceptional bravery among actors, I’ll take Jimmy Stewart over John Wayne any day of the week.
You are mixing up the men with the roles! Wayne would have been the first to concede that Stewart was a real life hero while Marion Morrison just played one on screen. But Duke never played a character who blubbered over facing jail time and planned on killing himself, like George Bailey, or who built a career taking credit for another man’s act, like Rance Stoddard, or who would be a peeping Tom, like Stewart in “Read Window.” (Or would treat a woman like Grace Kelly so badly.) Jimmy had greater range, no question about it. But Duke’s mission wasn’t about that, it was about exploring the highs and lows, weaknesses and strengths, of the traditional American male loner hero. And it was the more important achievement. By far.
And Wayne’s friend Col. Stewart would have would been the first to concede that
And Audie Murphy in combat made Jimmy look like Elmer Fudd. But Audie as an actor made John Wayne look like Marlon Brando.
Anyone who piloted or crewed a bomber over Europe in WWII, in the daytime, is simply in a special class of guy. Ultimately, “The Duke” was a shtick.
Jeez, OB, it’s not a shtick, it’s a job done well, just like Stewart’s bomber run were a job done well. Popular culture is vitally important to culture itself; that’s why the military recruited five of Hollywood’s best directors to record the war in Europe. FDR acknowledged that Wayne’s portrayal of American soldiers during the war was a major contribution to the war effort. Heroes in literature have vital societal values, and movie heroes are exactly the same. There’s a reason why “John Wayne” is a cultural icon, and Jimmy, a great as he was, would be largely forgotten were it not for “It’s a Wonderful Life” being played on TV every holiday season.