Along with many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, John Wayne often shared the screen with his real-life son, Patrick Wayne. John Wayne starred in several films that defined the genre and ultimately became the symbol of the classic Western hero — strong, tough, and resilient. His characters were often lawmen, cowboys, or soldiers who stood up for what was right, fighting against outlaws and injustices. From The Searchers to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, the Duke was a central figure in Western movies that are now considered masterpieces.

If anybody embodies a genre, it’s John Wayne in Western movies, and it's no surprise many of his collaborations with his son were in Westerns. Patrick began his acting career alongside his father in movies like The Quiet Man and The Sun Shines Bright, working his way up from minor, uncredited roles to playing his father’s on-screen son. Notably, their on-screen interactions were always more about working together than competing for attention, giving audiences some of the best Wayne performances in Westerns.

10 The Quiet Man (1952)

Young Village Boy

Set in the lush countryside of Ireland, The Quiet Man is a romantic drama starring John Wayne as Sean Thornton, a boxer looking to turn a clean slate after leading a violent life. He falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O’Hara), an intense local woman, which leads him to a series of comedic and romantic events.

Often ed as the movie with the amazing 9-minute fistfight, this visually stunning John Ford title is also notable for being the first time Patrick Wayne, John's son, appeared on-screen alongside his legendary father. While uncredited at the time, Patrick’s role as a young village boy left the actor with lasting memories. “I had scenes with Maureen O’Hara, and she was so great and so nice to us,” he told the Irish Star of the experience in a 2023 conversation.

9 The Sun Shines Bright (1953)

Young Cadet

Considered one of John Ford’s more nuanced works, The Sun Shines Bright featured both John and Patrick Wayne in ing roles. Set in a Southern town in the late 19th century, the movie explores themes of ethics and racial tension. JW plays Tom W. Tipton, a local and ally to the main protagonist, Judge Hargrove (Charles Coburn). Patrick’s role, on the other hand, was way smaller — he appeared as a young cadet early in the film.

Despite being small and uncredited, Patrick’s appearance enhanced the setting of this period drama, while his father’s character served as a comic and moral to the lead. A stark departure from the Duke's usual tough-guy persona, his role in The Sun Shines Bright showcased his acting versatility. The movie remains a valuable exploration of social justice in a post-Civil War society, even though it’s one of Ford’s lesser-known works.

8 The Searchers (1956)

Brad Jorgensen

The Searchers, directed by John Ford, is widely considered to be one of the greatest Western films ever made. Interestingly, it was also John Wayne’s all-time favorite Western. The story follows Ethan Edwards, played by the Duke himself, a former Confederate soldier who embarks on a years-long quest to rescue his niece, Debbie Edwards (Natalie Wood), after she is kidnapped by Comanche Indians.

The Searchers’ exploration of the psyche was unusual for its time, but it was ultimately that angle that got the title lauded as a bold critique of the stereotypical Western hero.

Patrick Wayne appears in a ing role as Brad Jorgensen, Debbie’s fiancé; a minor but important character. Brad ultimately serves as a counterbalance to Ethan and his traditional values, highlighting the differing mindsets of the two generations. His presence also added emotional depth to the Edwards family’s dynamics and helped propel the narrative forward. The Searchers’ exploration of the psyche was unusual for its time, but it was ultimately that angle that got the title lauded as a bold critique of the stereotypical Western hero.

7 The Conqueror (1956)

Kublai Khan

A historical drama directed by Dick Powell, The Conqueror was the first movie in which John and Patrick Wayne brought their father-son relationship to the silver screen. Set in the 13th century, the film stars John as Genghis Khan, the ruthless Mongolian leader, while Patrick plays Kublai Khan, his son. The plot follows Genghis Khan’s rise to power as he unites the Mongol tribes and leads them in battles across Asia, as well as his relationship with Bortai (Susan Hayward), whom he kidnaps and eventually falls in love with.

Upon its release, The Conqueror was met with harsh criticism. Both John and Patrick faced backlash for their casting, as their lack of ethnic resemblance to the Mongols was glaringly apparent to most, not to mention the inherent problem with it. Additionally, the film was heavily criticized for being historically inaccurate, making it one of the Waynes’ biggest career flops.

6 The Alamo (1960)

Captain James C. Neill

Based on the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, The Alamo tells the story of the Texian rebels' heroic but ultimately unsuccessful defense of the Spanish mission during the Texas Revolution. The historical epic stars John Wayne as Davy Crockett, one of the revolutionaries trying to ward off a much larger Mexican army. Patrick Wayne appears alongside his father in a ing role as Captain James C. Neill, the officer in charge of the Alamo’s defense before Crockett's arrival.

While Patrick’s role was objectively much smaller compared to his father’s, his performance still added to the movie’s sense of realism and genuine portrayal of the various military figures involved in the legendary event.

In addition to starring in The Alamo, John directed and co-produced it, making it one of the most ambitious projects of his career. While Patrick’s role was objectively much smaller compared to his father’s, his performance still added to the movie’s sense of realism and genuine portrayal of the various military figures involved in the legendary event.

5 The Comancheros (1961)

Tobe

The Comancheros, directed by Michael Curtiz, is often regarded as one of John Wayne’s most entertaining movies, effortlessly blending action, drama, and adventure with a touch of humor. The story centers around Texas Ranger Captain Jake Cutter, played by JW, as he teams up with a charming fugitive, Paul Regret (Stuart Whitman), to take down a gang of outlaws and arms dealers known as the Comancheros.

Notably, the Duke’s portrayal of Captain Cutter epitomized the star’s iconic style — a tough, no-nonsense lawman with a sense of justice and charisma. Meanwhile, Patrick Wayne appears in a smaller role as Tobe, one of the Texas Rangers under Cutter’s command. Even though his part in the story was more about setting the mood than driving the plot, Patrick’s performance contributed to the feeling of a cohesive and believable Ranger unit.

4 Donovan’s Reef (1963)

Matthew Donovan

John Ford reunited John and Patrick Wayne in the 1963 comedy Donovan's Reef, where they played a fictional father-son duo. The story is set on a tropical Pacific island, where a group of ex-GIs and their families live. The plot mainly explores the dynamic between two friends, Mike Donovan (John Wayne) and Thomas Gilhooley (Lee Marvin), while Patrick plays Mike’s son, Matthew Donovan.

Although Patrick took on a relatively small role, his presence added emotional depth to the family dynamics of the movie. His father, on the other hand, delivered an amazing portrayal of a tough yet still light-hearted character, offering a refreshing contrast to his usual intense roles. Despite not being a major critical success at the time, Donovan’s Reef has since become a fan favorite thanks to its charm, memorable one-liners, and scenic setting.

3 McLintock! (1963)

Devlin Warren

In McLintock!, John Wayne stepped away from his usual tough-guy roles to play George Washington McLintock, a wealthy cattle baron. The star brought humor and charm to a role that saw him dealing with family and local conflicts, showcasing his lighter side. When McLintock's estranged wife, Katherine (Maureen O'Hara), returns, the story takes a romantic turn.

Patrick Wayne appears as Devlin Warren, the young foreman hired by McLintock. Devlin is an important ing character, bringing youthful energy and charm to the narrative, and the role is often referred to as a stepping stone in Patrick’s career. Despite mixed critical reviews, the 1963 movie was a hit with audiences, loved for its blend of comedy, romance, and action. In addition, McLintock! also features one of the most exciting fist fights in Wayne’s movie career — the thrilling "mudhole scene," which became a standout moment in the film.

2 The Green Berets (1968)

Lieutenant Jamison

In 1968, John Wayne brought the Vietnam War to the big screen with The Green Berets, using it to honor American soldiers and their mission in the conflict. The Duke co-directed and produced the movie, as well as starred in it as Colonel Mike Kirby, the leader of the Green Berets. His son, Patrick Wayne, played a smaller role as Lieutenant Jamison, one of the soldiers in the unit. JW’s commanding role gave the story its power, while Patrick’s quieter part added a small but important touch of realism to the plot.

The war drama was not received well when it came out because it was one of the few projects that ed American involvement in the Vietnam War, making it quite controversial. Notably, JW’s portrayal of the enemy, the Viet Cong, was heavily criticized for being stereotypical and shallow.

1 Big Jake (1971)

James McCandles

Big Jake, often described as John Wayne’s most violent western, showed the Duke in another rugged, hard-headed role. He played Jacob "Big Jake" McCandles, a retired cowboy who is pulled back into action when his grandson, played by Christopher Mitchum, is kidnapped by a gang of criminals. Big Jake is a seasoned, heroic figure — he’s fearless, determined, and ready to face any danger to bring the bad guys to justice.

Patrick Wayne also appeared in the 1971 picture, playing James McCandles, Big Jake’s son. James is a gentler, more refined character, offering a contrast to his father’s character’s tough persona and bringing the fictional duo’s father-son relationship to life. The Waynes’ real-life chemistry translated on screen, adding a natural, genuine feel to the Western narrative. The film’s action-packed story was a hit at the box office, according to The Numbers, earning $7.5 million worldwide.

Sources: Irish Star, The Numbers.