I don't think anyone here is trying to replace the Duke. It's an exercise in examining what qualities some actors share with him -- a compliment to them, not a denigration of John Wayne.

John Wayne as President, huh? I suppose I could get behind that ticket. Unless of course he's running against Martin Sheen -- you just can't beat Jeb Bartlett.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone...I love
movies and good actors, there are plenty of them.
I just go overboard with The Duke (same with
Elvis!).
Those mentioned are about the only ones (in my
opinion) that qualify to compare with him. I do
appreciate their works - especially the westerns.
There are gunfights at my house as often as I can
round one up. lol
I doooo love Martin Sheen. Ain't too much of a
cowboy, but he's a mighty fine actor. However, I'd
still vote for Rooster over any of em. On second
thought, maybe Elvis shoulda been President and
John Wayne the Sec. of Defense. Elvis coulda
charmed em and The Duke coulda taken care of business....

No offense taken! I just love a healthy debate. Elvis for Prez, huh? Well I suppose he and the Duke are equally patriotic...but I agree, Wayne had that gruffness that would have been better served in the War Room than in front of the Press Corps.

I wonder if there's a young actor today who will accrue as passionate a fanbase as the ones Elvis and Wayne have...What does it take??

Ah...I like a lil debate, mainly just like to talk - specially cowboy's n indians. My myspace is of course none other than The Duke...
I have a really good tape of him doing recitations to
patriotic music...gives me chills!
Hmmm, as far as young actors, let's see...I am a
female and tho married - not dead, so I'll have to try to keep my eyeballs out of it.lol. (love comedy too).
There's Matthew Mc..he's not a cowboy, but he does have charm and can work the camera...but no
way will he rank the following they did. Of course we can't leave out BRAD...the young Redford. I do
believe he will last for some time. I think not only does he have Redford's look, he has style and is
really good on screen. (Loved Legends) - enjoy all
his stuff. I'm not a Cruise fan - good movies, I just
think he's too full of himself - flashy. Clooney's good, may last a while. Travolta - not so young but
has definate staying power - versitality and followers. One to me who is way overlooked is Depp. He is a huge, awesome character actor...is
who he plays - very believable. Don't pay much attention to teeny boppers...they just don't make any Dean Martin's, Sinatara's, etc..any more. I'm not old old, but have always liked the older ones -
the Gable's...true talent. Rhett Butler was every woman's dream.
To answer your question, I'm just not rightly sure
very many, if any of today's young men have the
stamina or the know how to pull it off. Those men
were gentlemen, even though pistols off screen.
Today is all about sales, made up wow factors, not
so much talent...eye candy. Back then, there was
a real love of the art, passion. You know, they had
style of their own, nobody had to provide it for them.
That's why now in music and movies, they have to
remake the oldies to sell something...not much
originality left.
Sorry to go on so, but it saddens me that my son
doesn't have that to look forward to. I try to expose him to it as much as possible. He was the only 4
year old in the world that knew the theme's to the
old western's and could tell you who the Singing
Cowboy was...and could name their horses. He's 9 now and I hope he will appreciate it later on.

Oh Dear, did you just bring up Matthew McConaughey's name in a post topic about John Wayne?? I just had a heart attack. Brad I think could absolutely be in the running. As could Clooney and Depp. But ugh! Matthew McConaughey?? YUCK!

Oh lawd, guess I did it again...no way did I dare to compare the two at all...guess that was my eyeballs after all...lol! No, just the following part. But he is hot!!! Look, you talkin to somebody that won't turn the channel if it's a Duke commercial...feel like I'm lettin him down if I don't see anything related to...I'm not that big a Clooney fan, he's good I guess, but I know the rest of the adoring public just loves him, so I had to include him in the conversation. Depp on the other hand is old school. He is a true talent, can make any character come to life. (And oh, there go my eyeballs!)
None of them will ever have what JW had. I don't think they make it anymore and I don't think there is any one word that could say exactly what that was / is.

"sigh" unfortunately there will never be another actor that could hold a candle to the duke. they broke the mold when they made him. in this new generation i cant think of very many good western actors much just the older ones. yes, tom selleck, robert duvall, tommy lee jones, redford. i cant imagine brad, george or depp as cowboys, especially depp. now brad was awesome in legends of the fall tho with that long pretty blond hair. they should have cloned john b4 he died. his sons dont even look like him.