Ron Kovic Author of "Born on the Fourth of July"

[@summertea545]

Tom Cruise should have won an Oscar for his performance of Ron Kovic. I believe it was his best performance to date.

[@tiaaaron3278]

His best performance was in Magnolia and he should have won for that. The winner that year didn't deserve it.

[@kbanghart]

@@tiaaaron3278 Yes, The other guy did deserve the award

[@joyoust8003]

If it was another year he would had easily won but Daniel Day Lewis was competing that year and made it impossible for cruise to win

[@hottakestuesdays7450]

@@kbanghart michael didn't but daniel day lewis did.

[@tiaaaron3278]

@Dean Bennington And he wasn't even nominates for Collateral! Unfair snub really.

[@BrickFilmerPowerlolifk]

Tom Cruise did a very got job playing Ron Kovic.

[@peabody66]

As much as I love the movie "Born on the Fourth of July" I don't think Tom Cruise looks anything like the real Ron Kovic.

[@zibtihaj3213]

Maaannnn back in those days no one looked like Tom cruise lol. He was the one and only , innocent and yet very sexy as one girl I knew put it .

[@kbanghart]

I think he looks a lot like him, the general shape. But I'm not one of those who thinks that actors need to look just like the real person lol. Kind of impossible to do.

[@jayr3381]

Why is everyone praising Tom Cruise the actor over this guy.. people's need to praise celebrities never disappoints.

[@doula2010]

I watched the movie in the theatre and came out feeling totally stunned. I had friends who served in Vietnam. One of them was so distraught about the war that he killed himself. His death changed our group of friends. Ron Kovic faught to stay alive when he returned. I am glad he wrote his book and got this movie made. I feel very raw right now. Brings back many memories of friends graduating from highschool and wondering about their future because of the draft.

[@evanabbott2737]

R.I.P. to your friend🙏❤️

[@mikealstott6033]

I was in Iraq, combat, Purple Heart. I'm not some crazy liberal hippie. But I so identify with this movie in a lot of ways.

[@14dmn9]

I remember reading this book in high school. My teacher made it required in our class and I applaud him.

[@turkishboyMLT]

Your teacher was a wise person!

[@JFK-ir7yz]

Thank you Ron Kovic. Thank you. My father was a Vietnam Vet. I watched him battle PTSD all throughout my life. He wouldn't speak of it often , but when I'd ask he would. Thank you for fighting for truth. You are a true Hero.

[@foremount]

You can tell he replays the events in his head over and over again. Trying to make sense of his experiences. The best way he was able to do so was to put it in a book and transforming his guilt, tragedy, shame, sense of worthlessness into something constructive and meaningful to him. This may have required him many hours of soul-searching and contemplation. Thank you Mr. Kovic.

[@MysticalMoonBaby80]

Ron Kovic is one hell of a good man. Much respect... ❤

[@Peacekpr4]

I read Ron's book in 1985/86 when I was a Marine with 3/7 weapons platoon Lima company. His book opened my eyes toward war and how wrong it is. In the late 1990s in my home town I was having a few beers in Redondo Beach when I met a man in a wheel chair, that man was Ron Kovic. We talked for awhile, then I ran into him on a Sunday morning when we continued our conversation. He is a regular man, unfortunately he's paralyzed from an illegal war in Vietnam. I love Ron, he's a man of conviction. The movie is a snippet of his book, so if you haven't read his book, I suggest you do.

[@williampaulbeaugruendler7901]

Hear Ron himself read his own words as I did on two cassettes and have your own heart broken real good.

[@scottwilson1251]

@Charles Yuditsky Exactly. I liked the movie, and I have no hatred towards Ron Kovic. But he did VOLUNTEER to go, and was paralyzed on a 2nd tour which he also didn't have to go on a 2nd tour. So alot of what he's feeling in my opinion is a bitterness. Would he have had these same feelings and be so strongly against the war if he wasn't paralyzed? I'll admit I never read his book. Idk you can tell in this interview where he admits he never thought he'd be paralyzed. I think it plays a huge role in his whole anti-war feelings.

[@scottwilson1251]

@Harry Harry I'm not defending America's involvement in Vietnam. Although they did do some good things over there such as bring modern medicine to villagers and schooling etc...That doesn't erase the countless villagers who lost their lives from missdropped bombs. I'm simply saying as far as Kovic goes, I think the fact he was paralyzed is a big reason he became anti-war.

[@deg1studios]

@@scottwilson1251 yes, it definetely is. doesn't mean he's just bitter, just that he has had to live with the consequences of that war, which gave him a new perspective. america tricked thousands of young men to their deaths. they didn't serve their country, they served their country's hidden agenda. they didn't defend america. they certainly didn't come back with the sense of dignity and true manhood that the propaganda promised them. sure, they "volunteered". only because the government lied to them. they lied about the nature of war. they lied about their intentions. they said america was at danger, when it was most definetely not. they took dumb kids, with hormone-filled undeveloped brains, and they said "go here, serve your country, prove that you are a man, defend your country, if you don't you're not a real man", and then they shipped them off to be killed or maimed or tortured. even the ones who came back with four limbs came back with shell shock and survivor complex and what have you. just listen to what Kovic is saying: "I never thought I would ever come back paralyzed". how many dead teenagers do you think imagined they would ever die in Vietnam? Is it still volunteering then? If you go to the doctor to donate blood and you walk out missing a kidney and an arm, is that still a "voluntary donation"?

[@Zizzyyzz]

@@scottwilson1251 "Missdropped bombs" and outright *massacres.*

[@SharksRule86]

Happy 70th Birthday Ronnie!

[@rebekahlikesmusic2723]

SharksRule86 go Sharks!!!

[@underarmourboy100]

Hand pass?

[@milenarandjelovic6542]

I ' will do whata l do' thanks sada for evereting we do biden you

[@evadream375]

GRATEFUL FOR SHARING THIS INVALUABLE CREATION Mr Ron kovac Pure love and RESPECT HUMANITY

[@TheLucille46]

I remember walking to junior high school with Ron Kovic and picking up others along the way every morning. Those were great times and I bet every one of us would have shared our legs if only there was a way. He is truly a hero. I wish Boggs would have pronounced his name correctly as a sign of respect. Blessings to Ron.

[@sirnoname6943]

Oh yeah I was ron kovics dad too

[@Kyle_Lurz]

Him screaming in the VA hospital in the movie sent chills down my spine

[@christophernickerson8225]

People dont understand how much the Vietnam guys went through. My father was in 3 and a half tours. I appreciate everything they did, they dont get enough credit

[@spm36]

Agent orange deformities? Napalming of villages ? Shooting thousands of innocent civilians? My lai? The rapes? Which bit?

[@OfficialAndies]

Great to see this vintage interview, one of my favourite books and movie of all time

[@lindalarocca8776]

I am not a Tom Cruise fan but he was incredible in this film. The best work he's ever done.

[@kristianbejb]

there is always a good reason to talk about you and talk about what you dont like. Its not about your taste and not about TC. Its about something else, that if you would be able to think over, than you might be more respectful and might be keeping quiet.

[@Kloverkill]

I hope I can live a life with even a fraction Ron's conviction, courage and insight. What an incredible person.

[@swiftcee266]

*There's a straight up Real talk guy, telling it exactly how it is...or was. Respect Ron Kovic. God bless ya man*

[@bigbrother8285]

Intentionally blew himself up to get back home. Stand up guy.

[@dansweet6793]

I'll support any veteran, Ron's story show our vets deserve the respect they earned. Some say he's a traitor because he came back anti war, mabe going to war opened his eyes over there. God Bless our vets and God Bless America.

[@pok3ypup]

It's interesting watching old interviews where the interaction is live and raw. People actually show emotions, perhaps a little discomfort, pondering questions. We need to get back to this.

[@jd4277]

I watched the movie of course. I also read Ron Kovics book. I was a medic in the Army. His story will remain with me forever. I hope he is doing well.

[@zacharylee1995]

I seriously need to see this Movie, I haven't Read The book before either and I love Tom cruise Movie's

[@johnmecca9008]

WOW!! Just hearing him talk, just really humbled me. I love his demeanor and am eternally grateful for all the men and women who have served with selflessness as Mr. Kovic did. I just saw Tom Cruise’s movie playing him and it was really pretty spot on for how the real Mr. Kovic in this video here seems to be. If you haven’t seen Born on the Fourth of July, u owe it to urself and Mr. Kovic to see his fearlessness as a Marine and his struggle coming back home. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ movie in my book. I salute u Mr. Kovic.

[@RandyR]

I have met Ron and been at many peace protests he was at. He is one of my heroes. I question everything. Wars should be the last resort, not the first. I will die for Peace an Freedom. Not for some rich man's war. Watch Michael Moore's doc on 9/11 an you might be as aware as Ron.

[@jacquesmesrine3244]

God bless you Ron. A true American hero.

[@theringwoodbros]

Damn adam's uncle is a badass

[@goodlife1500]

I just watched this movie I haven’t cried in years over a movie I feel for this man.

[@johndaly7264]

this guy is remarkable, the poor man he has been to hell an back, id love to meet him an shake his hand, i could feel his pain, its amazing how the american government brainwashed a nation an continue too, love u ron

[@cumbrianmackem9296]

+John daly it's not just the government but the corrupt corporate media that get great ratings during a war and get to play with battlefield maps on big screens while talking tactics with retired generals.

[@underarmourboy100]

They say two tours but shit his fight back home was really his third and most heroic

[@francismausley7239]

As a VN vet, I respect Ron for being a Life-time Peace Advocate. "So let us try, as an experiment, peace, and if the results of peace are bad, then we can choose if it would be better to go back to the old state of war!" ~ Abdul-Baha, Baha'i Faith

[@leanajo754]

The book is more detailed about him than the movie. But I love both, the book & movie. Tom Cruise did an excellent job playing him. It's my favorite Tom Cruise movie ever. His best acting ever, in my opinion. I was in the Army, but I have much respect for Marines & much respect for Ron Kovic. What a brave man.

[@lard_lad_AU]

Bill, in my humble opinion, this is your best interview out of all of them.

[@musicfan6575]

Happy 74th Birthday Ron Kovic!!

[@donnastitz1497]

Ron Kovic..I want to thank U 4 telling all, maybe there was even more.I married a young man when I just turned 18 yrs old. He passed away at a young age. I made a promise to myself to watch your movie,"Born on the 4th of of July" on every Vet holiday.. That is the least I can do to understand why my husband acted the way he did. Now I understand he had SEVERE PTSD .Thank U.He was not a bad person, he tried to hold it all inside...I now forgive him..may he & all Vets RIP !

[@mandragonist]

4:45 to 5:31. I watched the movie and I remember that I was a child and I was socked, I could not understand very well what was going on, but I was socked and it was scarier than a horror movie for me, and right now I am feeling the same thing. Oh man, I want to cry when he said that he never thought he could been paralyzed. Man, horrible. I watched the movie a couple days ago and I was almost crying for his father. Imagine the fact that you watched your son paralyzed and many common things like meeting a girlfriend or having sex and your son will never do that. Horrible, horrible.

[@tomthumb4232]

my brother was a marine too in Vietnam. the way they treated these vets was pretty pathetic. especially when people spit on them and called them baby killers. what a real crappy war that never should of happened

[@eric6242]

Man was way ahead of his time . Hope he finds his peace ☮️

[@enriquechavez911]

He his still with us and lives in Southern CA. I talk to him frequently and yes he has found peace. I’m paralyzed myself and he has inspired me to move on and to live. Did you know he inspired Bruce Springston to write Born on the Fourth of July?

[@NorCalRide]

I love his honesty.

[@colereed3066]

Ron Kovic was and is an american hero. I was born on December 18th 1997 but i feel as if i were born on the fourth of july🇺🇸✝️

[@hectorlamar806]

Ironic that had Ron layed down after being shot in the foot he would have gone home with that limp he had always fantasied about.

[@elaineb3641]

What an incredible interview

[@user-wr6db6nw8t]

The movie was sad, yet powerful! Ron tells it like it is!

[@deathlarsen7502]

that scene was so powerful in the movie.

[@bagofdonuts8606]

Ron Kovic very intelligent very interesting man

[@obiedrier4841]

No wonder cruise played him. What a resemblance.

[@Inconvenient_NPC]

Cruise is far more good looking than the real Kovic LOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[@Inconvenient_NPC]

@Mastema - You clearly have no idea how the world of acting works. Hollywood requires all sorts of people for thier films these days. We're not living in the 50s anymore (sadly) when everyone on TV was gorgeous. Just so know, actors are human beings too and Ron Kovic was no average joe.

[@kbanghart]

@r33mote Why can't an actor be more attractive?

[@kbanghart]

@@Inconvenient_NPC yeah, the 50s when all the actors were white and male getting the good pay

[@jackedkerouac4414]

I think Cruise's costar Frank Whaley looks more like him

[@emilioesquivel5391]

To Mr. Ron kovic I hope you find peace, you deserve too.

[@justmadeit2]

The movie was great and it really made me think about wars and how insane they are

[@jmgmarcus808]

Wow, two men talking about their honest feelings about life,death, and war on tv without bullshit.

[@MrHulltech2]

Thank You for your service Ronnie.

[@blackbeardbarkbark]

Powerful story. Great video.

[@spike16965]

Very powerful

[@donaldduck7461]

I’m not American, but my heart goes out to all the poor soldiers who’ve given everything based on lies from evil politicians. Read your Bible people & remain separate from this world.

[@marleyandme447]

As a vet, it grieves me to say that these men died for NOTHING! Same in Iraq/Afghanistan...NOTHING.

[@chrisdavis2053]

Tom should have won the Oscar!!! ☀️

[@mrvaulted8081]

I always wondered why in the film, after he got shot why didnt he stay down instead of "cowboying" it up.

[@dennisreadingpa.7857]

went through boot camp with ron platoon 181 only thing I remember is he was from new York

[@susanscott6543]

Please give more information on a comment like that- x

[@madkittyjoey70]

I read the book years ago and trust me, it is WAY better than the movie!!!

[@donnastitz1497]

madkittyjoey70..I agree the books R ALWAYS better than the movies.. So much more details..I am old school..I love reading books !

[@marcscribner3889]

Ron is like Jesse Ventura and Ron Paul. He tells the truth about the government.

[@gregspencer7491]

An American hero! I fear there aren’t many young men today like Ron.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Great interview. Talk about honesty.

[@987jof]

'Ron Kovac'

[@zairmalik2775]

Kovač is a known croatian name i think it was changed by his ancestors to kovic over the time

[@zairmalik2775]

@Marko Djokovic znam nego htjeo ovim da objasnim

[@liamcrawford9861]

I know right? He pronounced his name wrong.

[@delroywashington3185]

A true American Hero ! It should be watched in every school in the world to show what war does and when you get shot! War is not for Hero's but fought for politicians who refuse to go them selves! Love Ron ! True hero!

[@ScreaminModelKits]

Great interview, love Ron, but bill shut up and relax, stop interrupting Ron, boggs is an egomaniac, he`s trying to relate all Ron`s experiences to his own life. So now Ron has to try and speak over him.

[@jimjones9142]

ya bill is a big sissy

[@andyruss78]

Yes exactly mate

[@fjdyyh2542]

When bikl said his biggest fear was getting paralyzed I cringed and felt bad for ron. Hard to explain with my weak english but that's def not something you say in situation like this. Gladly ron is tuff cookie he has been hearing it all. We love you ron

[@TANTHEMANFILMS]

Ron is a tough SOB semper fi his body sacrifice & volunteering is heroic but ALSO a great speaker and man in general! . PEACE for this man

[@jennwill80]

I pray he has had a good life, despite it all.

[@donnythompson8029]

Pretty bad interviewer - jeez, at least pronounce his name correctly! It's KOVIC, not KOVAC. I had the privilege of briefly meeting Ron at Kent State years ago. A very nice guy, very approachable, very personable, and very passionate about the things he believes in.

[@kyannahippely6702]

Ron thank u for what u did for this country

[@JJArsenault-ys5yy]

I wish Ron Kovic would of told the host that his name is Kovic..not Kovak. Thank you Mr. Kovic of sharing your story…

[@pegaso3terminator75]

This interviewer is rude everytime, I only would like to go the United States to talk whith Ron, to me is the true American man, I read the the book and the film, thanks Mr Kovic!!

[@MrOopsidaisy]

What an interview!

[@LelouchLothric]

I just here from Adam Kovic!

[@edaindaimhin6009]

Just finished the book for the second time and just as powerful as when I first read it. Should be mandatory reading in school.

[@willrichards79]

Does anyone know where to find footage or audio of his speech at the 1976 dnc?

[@ArchSpawn]

Adam Kovic's uncle :D much respect :D

[@franklopresti2870]

My grandfather was born in Italy in 1895, and served in the Italian Army in WW1, as a sergeant in command of a six-man squadron firing a howitzer. At the age of eight (for me,1958), I innocently asked him what happened to the Austrian soldiers on the receiving end of his shelling. BIG MISTAKE!! Grampaw LoPresti turned white as a sheet, started wheezing, choking back tears . . . he finally managed to stammer out: "those poor guys . . . Grampaw LoPresti was the Ron Kovic of his day, opposed to my war, fought and for any reason. God bless Ron Kovic, Grampaw LoPresti, and all warriors throughout the ages!

[@TruDis01]

Is it really appropriate to have Will Ferrell conduct an interview like this?

[@jeffreyg4626]

Remember when TV actually had shows like this? Where a guest would come on and tell their story and not be censored by the monopoly media and the Pentagon? Now whistleblowers and truth tellers have to flee this country. USA 2019

[@kristopherpafford5009]

Ron kovic I Love you I like your book. Your the man

[@davidfrederick1971]

My late father a Vietnam Veteran came home to the same berating, spat on and "baby killer" insults most VV came home too. There were I believe 2 causes. The first thing and I got this from my father was were not going to defeat an "indigenous people". In previous wars we defeated an invading army. Number 2, my belief for the protesting was they were the children of WW 2 veterans that upon growing up didnt war to hear or deal with war anymore and or spite learning of previous wars by family or school didnt believe "we" should continue in such situations anymore hence the peace movements.

[@spike16965]

Great interview and so sad so many people in the 60’s bought into the government b.s

[@tammysigmon853]

Interviewer, respect this man! His surname is not KOVAC. It's Kovic. Respect your heroes! He deserves better than you!

[@BalkaniumSyndrom]

its Kovačević on Croatian, but probibly his family tink it is beather in america to use "shorter" surname like Kovic. but on Croatian we say Kovačević. that is right. i am Croat like his father, i know how spel right his surname.

[@BalkaniumSyndrom]

@milster yes we have, kovacic or kovacevic.

[@angelosgiotis6258]

This Man has Courage...a Real American hero...sometimes Republicans are truly screwed up---When a young man serves '''and'''...then Protests against the War--they call him a traitor. He woke up!

[@troyalexander8228]

No homo, but he was a good looking guy. A tragedy, what he had to suffer. He made something incredible of himself two times in his life.

[@mirai-eigou-shoshinsha]

Great interview.

[@shepdog1274]

3:30 what he says here is too true, even today. We are conditioned by our culture and our culture truly does romanticize war. The video games and the movies. Before you call me one of those people that hate on that, i sadly fall for those.

[@deathlarsen7502]

imagine if Ron didn't volunteer and return after his first tour. UNFORTUNATELY in war people die from friendly fire. Truly amazing and admirable that Ron admitted to this unfortunate casualty of war that can occur. His book should be required reading but it isn't bc required reading is now LGBT inclusive "literature"

[@shaheedpetersen6231]

My hero. true inspiration.

[@prophetspiderman6279]

he can speak good here and could act his own role in a movie

[@tylerthetiger2659]

2018??

[@cleopatraoatcake7364]

What a remarkable man!

[@snowdjagha]

Am I just crazy or Adam does sound a lot like him?

[@danielmorales1555]

He was lied to, we've all been deceived in many ways.

[@geezushasrisen]

How many scrobbles did his book/movie get?

[@benmiddleton9984]

happy Memorial Day to you my good sir. You are a true American Hero.

[@dacooooo]

Ben Middleton I'm an Indian and he is one my heroes. Not just American hero. :)

[@benmiddleton9984]

King Bae indeed

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

Even as a kid I remember the toy machine guns

[@thepoweroftruth3624]

One of the best... and most tragic... movie scenes ever was when cruise runs towards the hs to have that dance with his girl while moon river is playing... his innocence ended that night. I served in the military thinking as he did... to be a hero for this country. What a bunch of bull. I'll be dammed to let a recruiter influence my two sons. War isn't worth my two men dying. Dying for WHAT??? Don't get me wrong... I'm a conservative but war isn't worth a damn... doesn't accomplish anything.

[@lewiske]

Anyone know the airdate? It was Boggs' "Midday Live" show and looks like the mid-to-late 70s.

[@BistroGlicerin3]

hero of a lost war ... but a hero... war is the end ... peace is future... 💀☠💀

[@4tarepublica432]

what a bad interviewer

[@chrisfoot6680]

vagabun2 mx seriously he is constantly interrupting him! Jesus!

[@djikopgot]

Why do interviewers always try and make interviews about themselves? It almost seems like they struggle to share the spotlight, even for a second. Let the man talk.

[@HardRockMiner]

That's probably why nobody knows who he is. He is TERRIBLE!!

[@yac1977]

He called him Kovac...

[@kbanghart]

He was fine

[@DiogoMaia2]

I was born and raised in Brazil and here people have a different relationship with the army and our country has been far from wars from many years (thankfully), so it's kinda hard to understand how these things work in USA. Myself, for exemple, I'm not even close to be consider as a patriot and personally I don't care about our symbols like anthem, flag and this kind of bullshit, so watch a picture about Vietnam is almost a class and an exercise of learning american history and your views about your land.

[@neilcrowesongs9768]

Powerfully honest.

[@ItsBread-y6y]

So interesting fact. Ron Kovic is the uncle of Adam Kovic, a member of the youtube channel called Funhaus.

[@stevesandford1437]

As much as we do and should honour and respect those who serve, (including Ronnie Kovic...) his book and the subsequent film raise important issues around what we actually ask of service-people, and in what cause. Hindsight is 20/20, but America's defeat in Viet Nam didn't cause anything like the Communist Chaos that young men like Ron were led to believe it might. This continues to this day. Young men, (and now young women...) have sacrificed, as Ron did, on battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan and have been damaged, mentally and physically, for no discernible purpose. (This is not their fault, they are the ones who pay the price for political folly, unthinking and Corporate greed...) In terms of the political, Kovic was and is right to protest. In terms of the personal, his honesty astounds to the point of causing upset and tears in anyone who can only imagine his plight at that which he has sacrificed. What he lost is unimaginable to anyone else. (It wasn't worth it...) Maybe there is such a thing as a 'just war', the Second World War being a possible example... However politicians and the corporations who support their systems continue to engage in other such implacable conflicts to this day... I'm sure Kovic would LAUGH if you called him a hero... (Though he is in his way...) I'd bet he'd give any of that to not have been crippled in the way he was. A Final Thought, his guilt about the possible killing of a fellow soldier in the confusion of battle is redundant and even ridiculous. His guilt about possibly accidentally killing civilians, again in the chaos of combat, is equally redundant. (Bomber Crews kill children, they don't mean to but that's what happens when you drop bombs by order...) The crime is in the intent... (If you didn't intend to then it's not a crime...) 'Born On The Fourth Of July' is not the first book/movie that ever approached damaged veterans, ('The Best Years Of Our Lives' is just one other...) but Kovic's experience should be more widely known. HIS BOOK changed my life and I hope he's as happy as he can be in his life. xx SF