John Wayne Had A Famous On-Set Ritual Involving This Kitchen Item
By Dhruv Trivedi
Published on March 22, 2026.
John Wayne had a famous on-set ritual involving giving each cast and crew member a ceramic mug with a striking gold handle to show his appreciation for the team. The process began as each film ended, with Wayne's secretary, Mary St. John, compiling a list of recipients. Each cup received a personalized message, often the recipient's name, followed by "from Duke" (Wayne's long-standing pet name). The mugs also featured custom art commemorating the film. Over the years, the crews of some 43 movies received these cups. They have sold at film memorabilia auctions for thousands of dollars.
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