45 F
Oxford

Vassallo Interviews: John Wayne’s Granddaughter Anita Swift Shares Memories

Anita Swift

John Wayne was the greatest actor in the 20th century, bar none! What he accomplished on and off the screen for our country is legendary. The interview below with his granddaughter Anita La Cava Swift provides more insights into this fascinating individual and his greatness.

HottyToddy.com: Thank you Anita for taking the time to meet with us. Please tell our readers a little about yourself and where you presently reside.

Anita Swift: My name is Anita La Cava Swift, I am the oldest grandchild of John Wayne. I am the daughter of Mary Antonia “Toni” Wayne La Cava, his oldest daughter from his first marriage to Josephine Saenz Wayne. I live in Newport Beach, California with my husband of 35 years Timothy Swift and my four grown children, Matthew with his wife Heather, Luke, John and Maria. I travel the country raising money for the John Wayne Cancer Institute and Foundation. When my grandfather was dying of cancer he asked his family to use his image and likeness to find a cure for cancer so we license his image to do that and fund various projects. You can go to these websites to see what we do: jwci.org and jwcf.org.

HottyToddy.com: Your grandfather is considered by many as the greatest nonpolitician of the 20th century. Your thoughts?

Anita Swift: People would always ask his opinion regarding issues that faced the American people and he would answer with his opinion. Some people liked his opinion and others did not! One thing about him that people constantly try to do is pigeonhole him as an extremist. The Republican party was always trying to convince him to run for office. His mother was very active in politics and I am sure that is where he developed his interest in politics.

HottyToddy.com: We all have our favorite John Wayne motion picture. Which is yours and why?

Anita Swift: I have three movies that I love: The Searchers, The Cowboys, and The Quiet Man. I love The Searchers for many reasons, the location, the story, its a John Ford classic, the cast, every time I watch I see some new moral to the story. I recently was lucky enough to watch it on a blow-up screen in front of Gouldings Lodge where they filmed it in Monument Valley, amazing! The Cowboys, I love that movie, even though he dies, because it reminds me of my grandfather in so many ways. He really loved being with children, and we loved meeting all of those real cowboys. The Quiet Man is a favorite because I love the pairing of Maureen O’Hara and my grandfather. Also, the cast is one that remained very close through the years. So I have fond memories of many of the people from that movie.

HottyToddy.com: What are three or four of your fondest memories of your grandfather?

Anita Swift: Anytime we could spend with him was special of course! I would say Christmases were great, he would always try to make sure everyone had a special present. When we went to Catalina or Mexico on the Wild Goose, his boat was always special because we had his undivided attention! Thanksgiving at the 26Bar Ranch Cattle Sales were special, we would be there with other kids from ranching families from across the US that were there to buy cattle. I still run across those families today with their children now and we share those special memories. My most favorite memory was when I was in the eighth grade and I played Fagan in the play, Oliver. My grandfather snuck in the back of the auditorium and watched me perform. He sent me flowers and a telegram and called me after the show to tell me how proud he was of my performance!

HottyToddy.com: Your grandfather was admired by most everyone. Regarding other actors, were there a few that he particularly was fond of that you could single out?

Anita Swift: Well the ones that he worked with over and over again it was obvious he admired Maureen O’Hara, Harry Carey, Ward Bond, Claire Trevor, Victor McLaglen and Jimmy Stewart, to name just a few. He worked with all the greats and admired them all!

HottyToddy.com: Dean Martin was another legendary entertainer. Were Dean and the Duke close friends or strictly actors who crossed paths?

Anita Swift: They crossed paths both on and off screen at charity events etc. But I would not say they were running buddies! My grandfather was not part of the rat pack.

HottyToddy.com: What is the most frequent question you are asked about your grandfather?

Anita Swift: What was he like? and Did you know him? My answers to those questions are: He was just what you saw, a great honest bear of a man, a wonderful grandfather. I was 21 when he died so I was very blessed to have spent some wonderful time with him.

HottyToddy.com: Tell us about your brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles.

Anita Swift: Do you have a year? My grandfather had seven children: Michael, Toni, Patrick and Melinda from his first wife Josephine; then Aissa, Ethan and Marisa from his third wife Pilar. He has at last count 27 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. I am the oldest of eight children with six brothers and one sister. There was never a dull moment around our house and at family gatherings!

HottyToddy.com: Were you ever on the production site while one of the John Wayne classics was being filmed?

Anita Swift: I was lucky enough to be on the set of many of his films. The first one I was on was The Alamo, and I have a bit part in that movie at the age of two, sitting on my mother’s lap as the women and children are leaving the Alamo. The Undefeated, The Hellfighters, The Shootist, Rio Lobo, Chisum and Big Jake are just a few of the sets that I visited while filming was taking place.

HottyToddy.com: The Green Berets is often referred to as the only pro-Vietnam war movie. Your thoughts?

Anita Swift: Was it pro-Vietnam or was it supporting the Green Berets? I know that my grandfather was ashamed of the way our servicemen were being treated when they returned home from Vietnam, and he was trying to show them in a positive light. I was recently made an honorary Green Beret something I am very proud to carry on in the tradition of my grandfather.

HottyToddy.com: What was the relationship between your grandfather and President Reagan?

Anita Swift: They were very good friends. They knew each other from their acting days and my grandfather supported him during his political days in the Screen Actors Guild and his governorship in California.

HottyToddy.com: Could you share a fun fact about your grandfather that few know?

Anita Swift: He had a sweet tooth, loved candy and loved to go to the drugstore. His favorite candy was an Abba Zabba. His father was a drugist and owned a drugstore.

HottyToddy.com: How did your parents meet and what are their names?

Anita Swift: My parents met at a wedding where a priest introduced them. My mother’s name is Mary Antonia “Toni” Wayne and my fathers’s name is Donald La Cava.

HottyToddy.com: Totally shifting gears, why do you think so many of your community’s children are finding their way to Oxford and Ole Miss?

Anita Swift: Many of my friends children are finding their way to Ole Miss because of the academics and the fantastic collegiate atmosphere!

HottyToddy.com: Here’s a bonus question. How did your grandfather feel about the South and us Southerners?

Anita Swift: I don’t think he differentiated between the South and the North. The only difference he ever made between people were rude people and polite people as far as I can remember!


Steve Vassallo

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com