Real-Life Tough Guy: Ward Bond

That’s John Wayne, John Ford and Ward Bond.  They’re considered three real-life tough guys.

Most folks know a bunch about John Wayne and to a lesser extent, director John Ford.  If you’re like me, you know that Ward Bond appeared in dozens (and dozens) of movies and starred in the TV series Wagon Train. But that’s about it… until I read  13 fascinating facts about Ward Bond and “Wagon Train” at MeTV. Sadly the post is now longer available but here are three of my favorite facts and my thoughts…

Bond appears in more films on the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Movies than any other actor.  Bond has perhaps the most enviable filmography of any actor, past or present. Just look at his credits. He acted in seven of the 100 Greatest American Films according to the AFI — It Happened One Night (1934), Bringing Up Baby (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and The Searchers (1956).

(Wow!  I had no idea Bond appeared in more of the 100 Greatest American Films than any other actor!  THAT is an amazing fact and a testament to his abilities as an actor. – Craig)

John Wayne accidentally shot Ward Bond on a hunting trip. Even a gun wound could not break up the best friends. Ward left the shotgun to Wayne in his will.

(That’s how tough Ward Bond was – not even John Wayne shooting him could put him down! – Craig)

Bond appeared on ‘Wagon Train’ in crutches after injuring his leg.  At the end of “The Clara Beauchamp Story,” Bond stands in a row of military men on a pair of crutches. It was no prop. The actor had suffered an injury in a car accident. The poor (but certainly tough) guy was also hit by a car on his way to John Wayne’s wedding, but he performed his best man duties on crutches.

(Ward Bond was one tough son of a buck!  That dude was Marv from Sin City come to life. – Craig)