Stories by Jay Coffin

Story

How many Western movies has Kevin Costner made?

Kevin Costner is one of the most accomplished actors of the last half-century, starring in nearly 70 films. How many of them were Westerns?

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How old is Route 66?

Often called the Mother Road, Route 66 became one of the most famous highways in American history.

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Did Dennis Weaver really have a limp?

Dennis Weaver played the likable Chester Goode on Gunsmoke for nine years. The character had a unique limp, but did Weaver really walk like that in real life?

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Did John Wayne do his own stunts?

It’s one of the Duke’s most asked questions – how often did he perform his own stunts during his career?

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Is the movie ‘To the Shores of Tripoli’ based on a true story?

The truth behind the plot of the movie starring Randolph Scott, Maureen O'Hara and John Payne, plus the historical tiein with the Marines' Hymn.

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Did Bruce Dern really shoot John Wayne in a Movie?

It wasn’t real, of course, just a movie scene, but yes, Bruce Dern did shoot John Wayne in one of the most talked-about moments in Western film history.

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What was John Wayne’s final role?

John Wayne is the greatest Western legend of all time. But of all of his famous roles, which one was his last? We explain how The Duke rode off into the sunset.

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The Charles Bronson Story

Charles Bronson was known for his rugged face, quiet intensity, and powerful screen presence, which turned him into an international star through Westerns, war films, and action movies.

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The Jack Elam Story

Jack Elam’s crooked grin and gravelly voice made him one of the most recognizable character actors in the history of American Western films and television.

Heroes

Discover our Heroes and Legends

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