Mel Brooks offered John Wayne a cameo appearance in his 1974 film Blazing Saddles.Sadly, John Wayne declined the offer.

Mel Brooks offered Wayne a cameo appearance in his 1974 film Blazing Saddles. After reading the script Wayne declined, fearing the dialogue was "too dirty" for his family image, but told Brooks that he would be "first in line" to see the movie.

Reference: Interview: Mel Brooks. Blazing Saddles (DVD). Burbank, California: Warner Brothers Pictures/Warner Home Video, 2004. ISBN 0-7907-5735-4.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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71 Comments

bobelcaj

Carol Smith, check his real life. John Wayne had three wives, three divorces, at least one of which was blatantly scandalous, with violent beatings, mutual charges of adultery.

Rog Rogers

Wayne wasn't offered a cameo. Brooks wanted him to play the Waco Kid, the roll Gene Wilder made famous. The attribution about Wayne being "first in line" is supposedly true.

Jt Thornton

I remember BlaIng Saddles and heard Mr. Wayne might be in it! A shame he declined! What a movie!! This and Young Frankenstein set new standards in comedy! I was a led and saw them both at the drive in, if anyone remembers those! Drive ins should come back what a great venue ! No mega sound systems, but just the outdoors and you and friends taking up a row!