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How Hollywood Icon John Wayne Shot A It’s A Wonderful Life Star In The Butt While Hunting
Two movie legends, who were also good friends, had a very unfortunate accident while hunting birds
Actor John Wayne made a legendary career on the back of films that often saw him toting guns as a cowboy or soldier. He was usually effortlessly smooth on the screen with his weapons but not so much in real life. Ward Bond, a star of classic films like It’s a Wonderful Life, found that out the hard way when he was out hunting with the Duke and got accidentally shot in the butt.
Bond was a well-known character actor whose portfolio included more than 200 films. A large and assertive man, he played a wide range of characters, most prominently including lawmen and cowboys. He appeared in numerous critically acclaimed movies, including the 1946 classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, where he portrayed the likeable cop, Bert. He was starring as Major Seth Adams in the popular television series Wagon Train when he passed away unexpectedly.
A cultural icon of toughness and masculinity, Wayne was for decades one of the biggest stars in the world. He appeared in more than 170 films, highlighted by numerous westerns and war flicks. His distinctive gravelly voice, pigeon-toed walk, and larger than life persona made him almost indistinguishable between his on-screen roles and the person he was in real life.
Wayne and Bond were two titans of Hollywood’s Golden Age, and shared a friendship over the course of decades. Their connection began as young men when they were in high school, and then with each playing college football at the University of Southern California (but not at the same time). Their relationship grew as they transitioned into careers in Hollywood.
The pair really bonded on the set of John Ford’s 1929 film Salute. The unknown (at that time) Wayne, was in charge of managing football players hired for the production. He initially rejected Bond after his audition, describing him as “ugly and a potential discipline problem.” However, Ford still liked the young man, and, in what Wayne later called “his idea of a joke,” made the pair live together as roommates during the production after Bond was hired.
