During his nearly 40-year career in Hollywood, Clark Gable was one of the industry's most popular leading men. He appeared in movies including It Happened One Night, Mutiny on the Bounty, and Gone with the Wind—all three of which landed him Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. (He won the award for It Happened One Night.) But, while the dashing star drew in fans and pleased critics, one fellow actor wasn't on board. A famous star who never actually worked with Gable called him "handsome, but dumb," according to the actor's daughter. Read on to find out who had a bone to pick with Gable and why.
READ THIS NEXT: Jimmy Stewart Refused to Work With This Co-Star Again After Their Classic Movie.
The actor thought Gable was an "idiot."
As reported by Express, the actor who had an issue with Gable was none other than John Wayne. Wayne's daughter, Aissa Wayne, wrote the book John Wayne: My Father in 1991, and in it, she recalled what he used to say about Gable.
"My dad called Gable handsome but dumb at least four or five times, and now I wonder if it had something to do with my father's friend, John Ford," Aissa wrote.
She also wrote that Wayne called Gable "extremely handsome in person," but an "idiot."
Wayne was close with Ford.
As Aissa noted, it seems that the reason Wayne didn't like Gable was because of his friendship with Ford, who didn't get along with the Gone With the Wind star. The director worked with Wayne on over 20 films during his career, including Stagecoach, Rio Grande, and The Searchers. Gable and Ford worked together only once, on 1953's Mogambo, which co-starred Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly.
For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Gable and Ford had tension on set.
While speaking about Mogambo on Turner Classic Movies, host Ben Mankiewicz explained, "Ford lost patience with what he thought were Gable's needless requests for retakes and by the end of the shooting Ford and Gable were not even speaking to each other. And they never worked together again."
Mankiewicz explained in another clip from the network, "Gable and Ford had known each other for years, but their personalities clashed when working together."
Wayne was loyal to Ford.
In John Wayne: My Father, Aissa explained that Wayne was loyal to Ford to the point that the director's enemies became his own enemies.
"During the filming of Mogambo, Ford and Gable had clashed again and again and the subsequent feud had simmered for years," Aissa wrote. "In my father's way of thinking, disloyalty to allies, support in any fashion for their enemies, was expressly forbidden. If Clark Gable took on John Ford, my father's code demanded that John Wayne stand by his old pal."
Lia Beck Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more.Read moreFiled UnderCelebrities • Entertainment • Feuds • News • Old HollywoodRead This NextThe Last Surviving "Gone with the Wind" Actor
The former child star played Melanie and Ashley's son, Beau Wilkes.September 7, 2022The Biggest Male Icon of Every Year
These are the men who've dominated pop culture—one for every year since 1940.March 14, 2024See John Wayne's Granddaughter, Who's a Singer
She's doubling down on her grandfather's success in entertainment.September 26, 202110 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.March 21, 2017Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.November 15, 2016Driving Tips Smart Men Know
Ten easy ways to be the safest driver on the road. April 3, 2017Men Who Set the Time: Cash Warren
The successful producer, entrepreneur and husband of Jessica Alba reveals how you, too, can live your best life.October 31, 2016Dr. Oz: The Best Life Interview
Mehmet Oz, M.D., asks the toughest question: Are you living or dying?October 23, 2016Dr. Oz's 15 Best Life Tips
October 23, 2016The One That Got Away
A single nutrient—omega-3 fatty acids—may have turned early humans into civilized man. Has stripping it from our diet given rise to cancer, diabetes, and other civilized diseases? Our correspondent investigates.February 23, 2017
