Early Life: Marion Michael Morrison, better known as John Wayne, was born in Winterset, Iowa, on May 26, 1907. He was born as Marion Robert Morrison, and his parents changed his middle name to Michael after deciding to name their next son Robert. While he was growing up, Wayne's family moved first to Palmdale, California, before moving to Glendale, California, in 1916. There, his father, Clyde Leonard Morrison, worked as a pharmacist. Wayne attended Glendale Union High School, and was both a star student and athlete, taking part in activities like joining the debate team as well as the football team. He continued his education at the University of Southern California, where he majored in pre-law and also played on the football team there. However, he broke his collarbone while bodysurfing, which left him unable to play sports. Subsequently, he lost his athletic scholarship and had to leave university. [links]