John Wayne's Academy Award Acceptance Speech

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It took forty-six years and more than one-hundred and fifty movies but finally the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences acknowledged what they rest of his fans already knew … John Wayne was an award winning caliber actor. So for his role as the one-eyed, gruff, flawed but honest U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn in 1969's True Grit John Wayne finally accepted his Oscar. Here, in his own words, is the acceptance speech he gave that night at the Oscar ceremony.

John Wayne: "Wow! If I'd have put that patch on thirty-five years earlier! Ladies and gentlemen, I'm no stranger to this podium. I've come up here and picked up these beautiful golden men before, but always for friends. One night, I picked up two: one for Admiral John Ford and one for our beloved Gary Cooper. I was very clever and witty that night - the envy of even Bob Hope. But tonight, I don't feel very clever and witty. I feel very grateful, very humble and I owe thanks to many, many people. I want to thank the members of the Academy. To all you people who are watching on television, thank you for taking such a warm interest in our glorious industry. Good night."