John Wayne hits the trail as 10th legends of Hollywood U.S. Postage stamp

An image of legendary actor John Wayne is the centerpiece of a new 37-cent commemorative postage stamp issued today by the U.S. Postal Service. The ceremony was held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. A crowd of family members, invited guests, philatelists and tourists applauded as the 10th entry in the U.S. Postal Service's popular Legends of Hollywood stamp series was dedicated.

John Wayne remains one of America's most beloved celebrities. In November 2003, he once again commanded a top-ten spot in the annual Harris Poll asking Americans to name their favorite movie star. No other deceased star has achieved such ranking since Harris began asking the question in 1993. In a 2001 Gallup Poll, Americans selected Wayne as their favorite movie star of all time.

Artist Drew Struzan based his painting for the stamp on a black-and-white publicity still of Wayne taken during the filming of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962). In that movie, Wayne portrayed rancher Tom Doniphon. The selvage art, also by Drew Struzan, depicts Wayne starring as Ethan Edwards in the classic film "The Searchers" (1956).

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