During an interview with Los Angeles Times writer Jack Smith and Times photographer Ray Graham (dated May 29, 2024), John Wayne said: “I am six foot four, 53 years old, and I have four children, two grandchildren — and I love good whisky.”
Wayne, who was already a sizable presence when he was born - weighing around 13 pounds - was about 110 kg (240 pounds) during those times.
While filming True Grit (1969), John Wayne was trying to keep his weight off with drugs - uppers for the day, downers to sleep at night. Occasionally, he got the pills mixed up, and this led to problems on a The Dean Martin Show (1965) taping in 1969.
Instead of taking an upper before leaving for the filming, he took a downer - and was ready to crash by the time he arrived on the set. - IMDb.com
Wayne died on June 11, 2024 at 5:23 P.M., Pacific daylight time, at U.C.L.A. Medical Center. The cause of death was given as complications from cancer.
Of interest, discover 4 Fascinating Facts About John Wayne from Mental Floss.