John Wayne, an iconic American actor synonymous with Western and action films, owned several homes throughout his life, reflecting his personal taste and the stature of his Hollywood career. Most famously, his residence in Newport Beach, California, is well-documented and remembered for its distinctive style and beautiful location. Located on the waterfront, the property featured a large yacht dock, reflecting Wayne’s passion for sailing. The house itself was designed with a rustic yet elegant aesthetic, incorporating elements that suggested both comfort and a touch of ruggedness, much like the characters Wayne portrayed on screen.
The Hollywood legend lived there for nearly fourteen years, from 1965 to 1979. John Wayne moved to Orange County from a five-acre ranch in Encino when he was 58. First, he shared the home with his wife, a Peruvian actress Pilar, and in 1973, she moved out of their home. In 1980, after the legendary actor died of stomach cancer, his former house was sold to Burton G. Gettingen for 5.5 million dollars, who completely remodeled the home interior. In 1980, Robert and Beverly Cohen, the owners of Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, acquired the waterfront house for 6,5 million dollars.
Wayne had been familiar with Newport Beach since it was a village. He commented, “I’m glad I came down here to live fourteen years ago. I sure as hell couldn’t afford it now.”
The greatest remarkability of the Bayshore Drive house was its amazing setting at the water’s edge facing Balboa Island. However, from the outside, it looked simple and unpretentious for a Hollywood superstar. The single-story home seemed unimposing from the street, and passers-by could see only the garage and a grillwork entrance. When you stepped on the territory of Wayne’s property, everything changed drastically. The French Chateau-style house revealed its true essence, its original soul. It was a spacious, rambling, waterfront ranch-style estate with a breathtaking bay view. His residence offered Wayne a private dock to park his yacht, Wild Goose, a converted minesweeper.
Inside, Wayne organized a spacious trophy room where he displayed a fine collection of primitive art and memorabilia collected over 50 years. For John Wayne, his Orange County house meant a lot—its interior, antiques, and amenities. He said, “I find things that appeal to me, and I try to blend them in here. I don’t give a damn whether anyone else likes them or not. But I think I’ve done a pretty fair job.”
Indeed, the design of Wayne’s house reflected his direct and personal style. The dining room featured a Baccarat chandelier and a mirrored wall above a Nepalese deity. Wayne loved sitting alone at his dining room table, looking out to sea, with the sun setting behind Lido Isle across the bay from his house.
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