[DFG]

Bruce Dern shot John Wayne in the back in “The Cowboys”.

“When John Wayne informed Bruce Dern that Dern’s character would shoot Wayne’s in “The Cowboys” (1972), he told Dern that audiences would hate him for it. Dern responded by saying, “Yeah, but they’ll sure love me in Berkeley.” Shortly after the film’s release, Dern received death threats for his character shooting Wayne in the back.”

https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodclassicofficial/photos/when-john-wayne-informed-bruce-dern-that-derns-character-would-shoot-waynes-in-t/122178810074261649/

[dfwgator]

Dern responded by saying, “Yeah, but they’ll sure love me in Berkeley.”

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And every other college town at the time.

[woodbutcher1963]

Yes, Bruce Dern played the consummate “bad guy” also known as “the heavy” throughout most of his career. It was not until late in life when he actually got roles as the nice older father/grandfather/uncle etc. He had a great career as a character actor. His daughter Laura Dern has also had a decent career as an actress.

[21twelve]

I watched an interview with Dern. To get into his roles he would have “conversations” with the other actors. He sat with Wayne for hours and called him all sorts of nasty things. I forget the other movie that he talked about as an example.

Wayne told him to keep that attitude up on and off set towards him - as well as the kids to make the kids afraid of him.