1

Marion

Image: Noom Peerapong

We know him as John Wayne, but he was born Marion Robert Morrison . His early minor roles were credited under the name "Duke Morrison," but he adopted a stage name for his first starring role in The Big Trail . The film’s director suggested "Anthony Wayne," after a general from the Revolutionary War, but the studio thought it sounded too Italian, so it was changed to " John Wayne ."

2

The Duke

Image: Egor Gordeev

John Wayne’s nickname came from his childhood pet terrier , Duke . The two were inseparable, so people started calling him "Little Duke." He preferred the nickname over his given name and even used it for his first film roles. The name resurfaced years later when director John Ford began calling him "Duke" again. By then, Wayne was already a popular actor, and he welcomed the old name with open arms.

3

The footballer who wasn’t

Image: Kaleb Becker

Did you know we almost had "Duke Morrison, footballer" instead of "John Wayne, actor"? After failing to get into the US Naval Academy, Wayne enrolled at the University of Southern California on a football scholarship . But an injury from a bodysurfing accident cut his athletic career short, and he eventually had to leave college.

Not all was lost, though: silent film star Tom Mix, who received football tickets in exchange for giving summer jobs to USC players, helped Wayne land a gig as an extra and prop boy.

4

The first big role and breakthrough

Image: Jason Dent

Raoul Walsh’s The Big Trail was one of the first Western superproductions of the sound era. Walsh wanted to cast an unknown actor in the leading role and chose Wayne after spotting him moving furniture around the studio.

The film was a box office failure, and Wayne spent much of the 1930s acting in low-budget Westerns. His big break came with Stagecoach , directed by the legendary John Ford, which finally put him in the spotlight.

5

Attempts to enlist

Image: Rodrigo Rodriguez

When World War II broke out, Wayne was not drafted due to his age and family situation. Despite this, he made several attempts to enlist and even tried to convince John Ford to bring him into his military unit. Ultimately, he gave up after his studio threatened him with a lawsuit for breaching his contract. It’s said that he carried the guilt of staying behind for the rest of his life.

6

John Ford

Image: Mike Fox

John Ford’s Stagecoach established John Wayne as a leading actor and began his long collaboration with the director. The two worked together on more than 20 films, many of which are considered Western classics , including Fort Apache , The Searchers , The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance , Rio Grande , and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon .

7

Awards

Image: James A. Molnar

Wayne received several nominations and awards throughout his career, both as an actor and a director. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for Sands of Iwo Jima and for Best Picture for The Alamo , which he also directed. He finally won the Oscar for his role as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit . He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the airport in Orange County, California, is named after him.

8

International popularity (or not)

Image: Vitaliy Shevchenko

Wayne’s films made him an American icon and a celebrity both in the US and abroad. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito reportedly asked to meet him during a visit to the United States, impressed by his performance in Sands of Iwo Jima , and so did Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

According to some biographers, the FBI allegedly thwarted an assassination attempt ordered by Joseph Stalin, who viewed Wayne as a symbol of anti-communist ideals. While this story remains unverified, it has become part of Wayne’s larger-than-life legend.

9

Wayne vs Sinatra

Image: Dan Burton

John Wayne was known to have feuded with several celebrities due to his strong personality and political views. One of the most prominent was his disdain for Frank Sinatra , whom he believed had communist sympathies. Their animosity escalated when Wayne reportedly filed a noise complaint against Sinatra at a hotel and allegedly got into a fistfight with one of Sinatra’s bodyguards. Despite their differences, the Duke and Ol’ Blue Eyes eventually made peace years later.

10

The Duke’s death

Image: Aubrey Odom

John Wayne died of stomach cancer in 1979, a disease many have linked to his filming of The Conqueror in the Escalante Desert, Nevada, near a nuclear testing facility. It is reported that about half of the film’s cast and crew developed cancer, and nearly half of those cases were fatal.

Wayne’s family stated that he converted to Catholicism and received baptism in his final days. He reportedly requested that his grave bear the inscription " Feo, fuerte y formal " (Spanish for "ugly, strong, and dignified," in Wayne’s own words). However, his grave remained unmarked for 20 years after his death.

1

Chester Cheetah

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Chester Cheetah joined Cheetos marketing in 1986 with a stylized, sunglasses-wearing design that reflected the youth-focused advertising of the time. His orange fur, black spots, and exaggerated long limbs gave him a modern appearance that differed from the more conventional mascots used in earlier decades.

Often depicted in cartoon adventures trying to get Cheetos from others using his hip attitude and humor, Chester began appearing in licensed merchandise and even two video games released for major home consoles. These additional uses helped increase his presence outside television ads and made him familiar to a wider audience.

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Sten Ritterfeld

Tony the Tiger is probably one of children’s favorite mascots. Well, of course, he is gr-r-reat! Tony debuted in 1952 as part of Kellogg’s national push for its frosted cereal line. His early design resembled a traditional tiger on all fours, but by the 1960s, he was consistently illustrated standing upright. This adjustment to a more human-like figure made the character more attractive to children who started seeing him in print materials and television commercials. His striped orange coat and red scarf have remained stable features for decades, helping kids recognize the mascot across changing styles over the years.

3

Mr. Peanut

Image: Afif Ramdhasuma

Mr. Peanut entered American advertising as early as 1916, after Planters Nut & Chocolate Company held a public contest and selected a drawing submitted by a schoolboy from Virginia. The company later added the top hat, monocle, and cane, creating the formal look that became standard on packaging and billboards.

The suave, walking peanut we know and love appeared consistently in print ads and store displays, serving as a recognizable figure for the brand. During the mid-20th century, when packaged snacks and "gourmet" branding became more common in supermarkets, Mr. Peanut was used to reinforce the idea of a higher-quality product.

4

Colonel Sanders

Image: He Junhui

In the 1950s, American entrepreneur Harland Sanders became the public face of his restaurant chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken, taking part in promotional photos, interviews, and appearances that helped introduce the brand to a wider audience. His white suit and black string tie were items he regularly wore, and the company adopted them as key visual elements to create a consistent look for KFC.

By the 1960s, his image was used on signs, packaging, and national advertising, giving customers a familiar figure associated with the product. Unlike most mascots, his portrayal was based on a real person whose small roadside business had grown into a national treasure.

5

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Nikoloz Gachechiladze

The Pillsbury Doughboy was introduced in 1965 using stop-motion animation in his early commercials, a common technique for character advertising at the time. His soft white body, chef’s hat, and neckerchief became standard symbols in Pillsbury promotions beginning in the late 1960s.

During the 1970s, he appeared regularly on national television, helping advertise refrigerated dough products that were marketed as convenient options for home cooks. His role remained consistent across these campaigns, making him one of the brand’s most recognizable features.

6

The Kool-Aid Man

Image: Fotografía de Alimentos

In just a few years, this mascot evolved from a simple smiling pitcher to a whole pop culture icon. Oh yeah! The Kool-Aid Man’s first television appearances began in the 1970s, building on earlier print versions. His clear, rounded glass body and bright red interior were easy for children to recognize, and the short catchphrase became closely linked to the product.

During this period, he was featured regularly in Saturday-morning TV advertising and in-store promotions aimed at families. These campaigns emphasized Kool-Aid as an inexpensive, easy-to-prepare drink mix, thanks to a character that brings joy and fun, making sure people have a good time.

7

GEICO Gecko

Image: moonzigg

Born after a 1999 SAG strike that limited live actors, the animated GEICO Gecko became a beloved, relatable brand ambassador who could present insurance information in a clear, approachable way. His small upright stance, green coloring, and British accent made him easy to identify and set him apart from the fast-paced commercials common at the time.

Over the years, he became a regular presence in campaigns that explained discounts, policy options, and general coverage details. His continued use across national TV, radio, and online platforms helped establish him as one of the brand’s most recognizable marketing tools. Can you quote his famous catchphrase?

8

Energizer Bunny

Image: PublicDomainPictures

Did you know the Energizer Bunny is actually a parody of the Duracell Bunny? Premiering in 1989, a year later than its main competitor, the pink rabbit was shown wearing sunglasses and flip-flops and carrying a large bass drum.

Throughout the 1990s, the Energizer Bunny was featured in several parody-style spots that placed him inside mock versions of other commercials before he continued walking and drumming. His image became closely linked to Energizer batteries' long-lasting power, becoming a pop culture icon representing the endurance and tenacity of the American People.

9

Ronald McDonald

Image: Vijayanarasimha

Ronald McDonald is one of the most beloved characters among American children. He appeared nationally in 1963, adapted from earlier characters that had been used in local McDonald’s advertisements. With his red wig, white face makeup, and yellow jumpsuit, he lives in the magical McDonaldland with friends, representing fun and charity.

These key visual elements helped audiences recognize him instantly at store openings, public events, and televised commercials. From the 1960s through the 1980s, Ronald also participated in school visits and community programs that promoted basic safety messages and family-oriented activities. In just a few years, Ronald McDonald grew into a global icon that even inspired more characters synonymous with both fun and philanthropic missions .

10

Mr. Clean

Image: Anna Shvets

Who wouldn't trust a product promoted by a strong, reliable, muscular man? Introduced in 1958 and inspired by a U.S. Navy sailor, Mr. Clean appeared in packaging and commercials with his arms crossed and wearing a white T-shirt and a gold earring. His image, symbolizing powerful, effortless cleaning magic, helped shoppers to quickly recognize the product on crowded shelves.

The character’s straightforward design also aligned with a broader mid-century trend toward household products marketed as time-saving solutions. Over time, Mr. Clean continued to serve as a stable visual symbol for the brand’s focus on reliability and ease of use.

11

Betty Crocker

Image: Annie Spratt

Even more than a hundred years after her creation, Betty Crocker is still a beloved cultural icon representing home baking and American domesticity. She was first introduced in 1921 as a customer-response identity providing written answers to home-baking questions sent to the company. The name combined the friendly-sounding "Betty" with the surname of a retired company director, William G. Crocker.

She evolved from a voice on radio shows to the first portrait in 1936, which was repainted multiple times throughout the 20th century, and was adjusted to match changing American fashion while keeping the same general facial features. By the 1940s, she was widely recognized through cookbooks, recipe pamphlets, and radio guides that presented standardized instructions for home bakers.

12

"Rich Uncle" Pennybags

Image: Julian Hochgesang

Rich Uncle Pennybags is the mustachioed, top-hatted mascot of the Monopoly board game, a character designed to embody wealth and capitalism. His image, first introduced in 1936, was loosely based on Gilded Age tycoons like J.P. Morgan, which helped signal the game’s focus on property and finance.

When Monopoly grew in popularity and began distributing international editions in the 1970s, the mascot was added to rule books, game boxes, and licensed versions sold in different countries. Fun fact: Contrary to popular belief, Pennybags never wore a monocle. Think about that!

1

Pacific Coast Highway

Image: Lance Anderson

We’ll begin this hypothetical trip of ours in California, and "The Golden State" offers an equally convenient and panoramic way to travel along its stunning coastlines. California State Route 1 is known by many names, such as Cabrillo Highway, Shoreline Highway, or Coast Highway, but it is perhaps best recognized as the "Pacific Coast Highway."

This state route crosses many iconic and gorgeous locations in California, including Big Sur, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Monterey Bay Area. Beyond its scenic beauty, the Highway is a pop culture icon in its own right, referenced in songs by bands like the Beach Boys and the Decemberists.

2

Yosemite

Image: Jordi Vich Navarro

Yosemite truly needs no introduction. This iconic national park spans 759,620 acres across four California counties, with nearly 95% of its total area designated as wilderness.

From its stunning giant sequoia trees to its breathtaking waterfalls, granite cliffs, and pristine streams, the park offers something for everyone. Yosemite is a quintessential example of the natural beauty America has to offer.

3

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Image: Kristen P

Since we’re still on the California portion of our fictional road trip, let’s make a quick stop at another natural treasure. Red Rock Canyon State Park is renowned worldwide for its stunning rock formations and its arid yet strikingly beautiful scenery.

While the weather is definitively drier than in other parts of California, don’t think for a moment that nature is absent in Red Rock Canyon. In fact, this park is home to the rare Red Rock Canyon monkeyflower, a unique flower found exclusively in this region.

4

California’s Lost Coast

Image: Paulius Dragunas

Last but certainly not least on the California leg of our trip is the stunning region known as the "Lost Coast." Situated in Humboldt and Mendocino counties, this area earned its name because it remains largely natural and undeveloped, the product of a surge in depopulation in the 1930s.

While the inaccessibility of the area is definitively a hurdle—its steep terrain makes establishing roads difficult—we highly recommend it to those adventurous enough to explore on foot. Its pristine, unspoiled landscapes are truly a sight to behold.

5

Willamette Valley

Image: Dan Meyers

Let’s now step into the wonderful state of Oregon to continue our fictional journey. What better place to start our tour through the "Beaver State" than through the beauty of Willamette Valley ? While this region is undeniably vast—stretching 150 miles and encompassing Oregon’s five largest cities—we’d like to highlight a few features that truly make this valley a beautiful area.

Driving through this predominantly agricultural landscape, publicized in the 1820s as a "promised land of flowing milk and honey," means running across rather scenic and bountiful sights. Trust us: watching the golden grapevines shimmer in the autumn sun is just one of the many experiences that make Willamette Valley so magical.

6

Oregon Coast

Image: Kevin Butz

The Oregon Coast not only offers unparalleled and gorgeous sights of the Pacific Ocean, but it's also a unique and massive area that encompasses more than 25 cities, lush landscapes, and a rich variety of birds, marine life, and other wildlife.

As you would expect, the many wonders of this area make the Oregon Coast a popular tourist destination. Those looking for adrenaline-fueled activities may be interested in surfing or sandboarding, while some history buffs might find intrigue in historic landmarks such as Fort Clatsop, Battle Rock, and Oregon’s many lighthouses.

7

Olympic National Park

Image: Georg Eiermann

Now that the route has taken us to the state of Washington, why not visit Olympic National Park and its gorgeous sights? Originally designated as Mount Olympus National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, this park is divided into four distinct regions, each hosting three unique ecosystems.

Due to its amazing variety, a single entry could never encompass all the natural wonders this park has to offer. However, we can highlight a few favorites: for instance, Mount Olympus, the tallest peak in the Olympic Mountains, or the Hoh Rainforest, renowned for its stunning Bigleaf maples.

8

The San Juan Islands

Image: David Lang

The San Juan Islands is a four-island archipelago at the border between Washington State and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Islands are considered the go-to place for birdwatching enthusiasts, boasting the highest concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States.

If bird-watching is not your thing, don’t worry—there’s plenty more to see and do on these breathtaking islands. Several ferry tours offer access to some of the best panoramic views of the region, which, as you might imagine, are nothing short of stunning.

9

Denali National Park

Image: Bryson Beaver

We’ve now arrived in the final state of our West Coast road trip. In that sense, what better place to conclude our journey than the "Last Frontier"? With that in mind, let’s begin our exploration of Alaska with what many consider to be the state’s crown jewel: Denali National Park.

Denali holds the distinction of being the highest peak in North America, and while this is truly no small feat, that’s not what makes this area so special. This mountain’s immense size is rivaled only by its breathtaking magnificence. Denali is renowned for its stunning glaciers, lush forests, and diverse wildlife, which includes brown bears, beavers, and Arctic foxes.

10

Kenai Fjords National Park

Image: Kedar Gadge

Kenai Fjords National Park’s beauty is as stunning as it is diverse. Its landscapes are marked by truly unique and stunning features, such as glaciers, islands, and fjords. In addition to its remarkable terrain, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, black bears, and sea otters.

Designated by President Carter in 1978, the park is primarily visited by cruise ships and tour boats. Thousands of visitors are awestruck each day by the grandeur of Kenai Fjords, including the famous Exit Glacier, which is located at the end of the park’s only road.