How Frank Sinatra Ended His Feud With John Wayne

John Wayne stood as a symbol for a certain kind of old-school America—staunchly traditional, conservative, and, for many, a relic of a fading era. His roles in classic westerns made him a household name, the archetypal cowboy riding across the big screen. But behind the legend, Wayne was a deeply divisive figure. His views on race, gender, and sexuality were not just outdated—they were outright offensive. In a notorious Playboy interview, he openly declared his belief in white supremacy, a stance that’s hard to stomach even by the standards of his time. The fact he managed to wield so much influence in Hollywood says a lot about the industry’s climate back then. Blokes like Wayne could get away with just about anything.

Clashing Egos and Hollywood Rivalries

Wayne’s self-confidence bordered on arrogance. He rarely missed a chance to take a swipe at his peers, convinced he was a cut above the rest. According to his daughter Aissa in her book, he had a particular dislike for Gene Hackman, never missing an opportunity to criticise his acting. She wrote that Wayne called Hackman

“the worst actor in town.”

His rivalry with Clint Eastwood was just as fierce. Eastwood’s grittier take on the western genre didn’t sit well with Wayne, who saw it as a threat to the old guard he represented. The two never saw eye to eye, with Wayne openly dismissing Eastwood’s approach.

Political Tensions With Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was another name on Wayne’s long list of adversaries, though their beef was more political than personal. When Sinatra brought Albert Maltz on board to write The Execution of Private Slovik, Wayne was quick to voice his disapproval.

“I never thought Sinatra was a commie. But he hired a commie to write a screenplay the communists would have just loved.”

The tension didn’t end there. Wayne recalled a heated exchange at a charity event, where Sinatra, after a few drinks, confronted him.

“You seem to disagree with me,”

Sinatra said. Wayne replied,

“Just take it easy, Frank. We can talk about this later.”

Sinatra wasn’t having it:

“I want to talk about it right now.”

Wayne admitted,

“It’s a good thing some of his friends pulled away because I’d sure hate to have flattened him.”

The two were clearly at odds, both in politics and personality.

From Enemies to Mates

Despite years of animosity, something shifted after Wayne’s death. When the book Duke: A Love Story came out in 1983, Sinatra’s words were featured on the cover:

“A most warmly written book about a giant of our times. I cherish the memories of a good and decent man. There was—there is—no better friend.”

It’s a surprising turnaround, considering Wayne once scoffed at the idea of taking on roles Sinatra had rejected. Yet, by the end, the two had managed to patch things up. Sinatra even rang Wayne as he was dying to say goodbye, and later attended his funeral. For all their differences, they found a way to reconcile in the end.