Introducing John Wayne’s 7 Children

Marion Robert Morrison was known to the world as John Wayne, one of the biggest movie stars of his time. While to most people, he was a big celebrity, to his seven kids, he was just “Dad.”

The actor was first married to Josephine Alicia Saenz and they had four children together: Michael, Mary, Patrick, and Melinda. He was then married to Mexican actress Esperanza Baur, and finally, Peruvian actress Pilar Pallete. John had three children with Pilar: Alissa, John Ethan, and Marisa.

Some of John’s children followed in his footsteps into the entertainment industry. Let’s meet them all!

Michael Anthony Morrison (November 23, 1934 – April 2, 2003)

Michael used his dad’s stage name and was known as Michael Wayne. While his father was a force to be reckoned with in front of the camera, Michael enjoyed it behind the scenes. Michael worked his way up from Production Assist, to line producer, to producer, and even worked on several of his father’s films including The Green Berets, Cahill U.S. Marshal, McLintock! and The Alamo. 

Mary Antonia Wayne LaCava (February 25, 1936 – December 6, 2000)

Mary Antonia, who went by “Toni,” appeared in her dad’s films The Quiet Man and The Alamo. She married Donald La Cava in 1956 and they had eight children together: Anita, Mark, Brigid, Kevin, Christopher, Peter, David and Brendan. Toni was a private person and raised her family out of the public eye. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 64.

Patrick Wayne (born July 15, 1939)

Patrick became an actor at an early age – he made his film debut at age 11! He is credited for appearing in 40 films, 11 with his legendary dad. He has had a long career in film, and television, and even hosted two game shows – The Monte Carlo Show and later Tic-Tac-Dough.

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Melinda Wayne Munoz (born December 3, 1940)

While Melinda did not stick with acting, she did make cameos in a few of her father’s movies as a child. In 1964 she married Gregory Robert Munoz and they had five children together before divorcing in 1985. Melinda currently lives on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California.

Aissa Wayne (born March 31, 1956)

Aissa, John’s first child from his third marriage, is currently an attorney, but like her siblings, appeared in several John Wayne films as a child. In 2016, she endorsed Donald Trump for president when he made an appearance at the John Wayne Museum in 2016.

Aissa has three children, including country artist Jennifer Wayne, who is a member of the band Runaway June. Check out a video of Jennifer singing a song she wrote about her grandfather called “God Bless John Wayne.”

John Ethan Wayne (born February 22, 1962)

Although John Ethan, who goes by his middle name, may have a different mother than Patrick and Michael, you can definitely tell they are all brothers. Ethan was born in 1962 and has appeared in many different works as both an actor and a stuntman.

Ethan now serves as the manager of John Wayne Enterprises and is the director of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and created its Team DUKE fundraising program in honor of his father.

Marisa Wayne (born February 22, 1966)

John’s youngest daughter often visited her dad on set, though she was never bit by the acting bug. She did appear in a couple of his movies as a kid. Marissa married husband Tony Ditteaux on May 4, 2005 and they have two children.

All seven of his children worked – and continue to work – to keep their father’s legacy alive. He must be so proud of them all! Check out some more family photos below.