Interesting Facts about Ward Bond

[@FCSchaefer]

A true character star with one of the greatest filmographies ever; love to watch old re-runs of Wagon Train on cable.

[@TWS-pd5dc]

A truly great character actor, it can reasonably be said that no matter how good or bad the movie, he always did well in his scenes, always believable and solid. Even his bit part in Grapes of Wrath was solid.

[@imalt8271]

He is one of my all-time favorite actors. I loved him in everything he did.

[@johnwood551]

He was one of my Heroes growing up back in the 5’s & 60’s. And who didn’t think of him as the Soul of Wagon Train. He always played such good characters whether with John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart.

[@blusnuby2]

He also played outstanding 'bad guys,' too. Watch him as Inspector Weber in Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.

[@junekittel9886]

Ward Bond was a very talented, strong actor capturing the real personality of the characters he played. Thank you for sharing.

[@famouspeople63]

My pleasure.

[@daveenyart]

Ward Bond was one of my heroes growing up in the 1960's. So many wonderful roles. I'm cryin'.

[@prioress]

I really enjoyed Ward Bond and his sturdy masculinity and no- nonsense personality. RIP Mr. Bond.

[@steveinge7058]

If it were not for Ward Bond, "Wagon Train" would not have been one of my favorite TV Westerns. Thank you for recognizing him for the many roles he portrayed over the years. He certainly was a great contributor to the motion picture industry and to television.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, he certainly gave his roles all he had.

[@roseyc.5846]

Loved "Wagon Train" and also his role in "GWTW". Gone too soon..RIP. 😪💔

[@jeffreyallen9626]

A wonderful actor who was lost to us way too soon gone but not forgotten rip friend😔❤🙏

[@barrybechtel8553]

Ward was one of the best of the best!!! RIP Ward!!!

[@davidhill-fe5qq]

He really brought something to every role

[@oldgoat142]

One of my absolute favorite actors.

[@willpennington5479]

I loved his movies. Almost every scene was memorable, especially after I knew who he was and looked forward to movies with him in them.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, not only the Waynes, Stewarts etc had followings.

[@RogerCameron-i7h]

Thanks for the kind words for a man that gave me joy through my life, I'm 75 and I love his movies.

[@famouspeople63]

My pleasure.

[@scotty5717]

Certainly more than a character actor,deserved more leading roles..good actor.

[@tjmusa]

ward bond home town was Benkleman, nebraska. located in the south west part of nebraska. about 100 miles east from denver colo. what an actor. thanks for posting.

[@whateverittakes5580]

Thank you for this nice piece of work. I've recently been watching more old films, and I have said: If Ward Bond is in the movie - then its gonna be good. He is missed.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, he and many support and character players. They live on in us.

[@dannycorsaro546]

I grew up watching and now watching again! Better than anything else on tv😃

[@waynegilchrist1596]

John Wayne always considered Ward Bond as his "Best Friend"! The man's career and his personal integrity are impeccable! Sad that he was gone at an early age and in light of your biographical research, I think it even sadder that he was not more recognized and rewarded enough by the industry.

[@famouspeople63]

One of the under appreciated. There are many.

[@MarkHarrison733]

He killed himself by drinking so heavily. Bond was widely hated in Hollywood.

[@moranplano]

The Quiet Man was a classic...I hope it's not lost in history.

[@famouspeople63]

Not as long as we remember it.

[@howardlovecraft750]

Seen just about all his films and he never played a bad role, one solid actor.

[@famouspeople63]

Yesm he was always in work. A solid work ethic and dedication.

[@ejdiii333]

That big full and resonant powerful voice stood out far removed from all other character actors, and any two words out of his mouth, and you knew who was in charge,, that is really a unique talent.

[@Captleemo]

Ive seen many a movie with him in them and was always impressed with what a good actor he was.

[@michaelpower4372]

TALL IN THE SADDLE was another great film with John Wayne and Ward Bond allso THE QUIET MAN.

[@patriciamiddleton635]

I watch him in Wagon Train as I was growing up Iowa,USA. I sure missed him when he passed in the 60's from his role in the Wagon Train and John McIntyre took over I was 9 years old in 1960. I did realize that he made alot of movies with the Duke until later in life , and I and my family are great big fan of the Duke known as John Wayne!!! My DAD took I and my Sister Nancy to see him in Mclintock!

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, he and the Duke were long time friends.

[@mlbowen6476]

"The Searchers", without question one of the greatest movies ever made. Ward and the Duke together were an unbeatable cinematic presence. "The Quiet Man", "Rio Bravo", "Fort Apache" the list just goes on.....

[@larryambrose2660]

The Searchers is the best western movie ever as far as I'm concerned. Fort Apache is right behind.

[@johnsakelaris7]

I remember his line, "Boy, watch that knife!"

[@michaelpower4372]

Wagons west.Tall in the saddle, great Ward Bond movies. Oh Three godfathers. Ward and John again.

[@michaelpower4372]

@@johnsakelaris7 or I'm the hard case around here not those Indians.

[@charliebrooner9065]

@@michaelpower4372 "Pearly!! HA HA!!" One of my favorite scenes from Three Godfathers!

[@701CPD]

Turner Classic Movies needs to do a "What A Character" segment on Ward Bond. He did SO many movies.

[@jamesvokral4934]

A fine and versatile character actor who could play a good guy or bad guy with convincing ease.

[@tonyguadagno6917]

So believable in his roles! I always thought of him as a decent man something that came across to me no matter what role he was playing.

[@tonysmallwood4701]

Ward Bond was a great actor!!Love his westerns with Mr. Wayne!!!

[@stevewixom9311]

IMO, Ward Bond was as good as any character Hollywood ever produced. He was so good in any role he ever had, big or small.

[@T8ERS]

Didn't mention he was an Earp brother in one of my All Time favourite John Ford movies, "My Darling Clementine".

[@metablue4454]

Some Ward Bond fans may know of something relayed years ago his lifelong friend John Wayne. Wayne said he got a call from John Ford (who was very ill) to come see him. During the visit, Ford asked, "Do you ever think about Ward?" Wayne responded, "All the time." They had a "little" drink to Bond. John Ford died two days later.

[@briangoldy8784]

John Wayne wore a Silver Bracelet on his wrist in Memory of His Best Buddy, Ward Bond, . You'll see it on John Wayne if you look. 😔

[@t.j.h2810]

@@briangoldy8784 Pretty sure that was a copper bracelet for his arthritis....maybe he wore silver at times though.

[@alvaropelayo8084]

He worked with some of the greatest stars of all times: John Wayne, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, James Cagney, Gary Cooper, James Stewart, Walter Brennan, John Ireland... rip

[@patriciamiddleton635]

Loved him in The Seacher, It's a wonderful Life , Gone With the Wind , so many I just can't name them all!! RIP Ward Bond!!

[@jameshersonjr3905]

Thank you, he was wonderful!

[@famouspeople63]

You are welcome!

[@joebloggs8636]

His acting in Errol Flynn s Gentleman Jim as heavyweight champion John L.Sullivan is fantastic, especially the final scene in which he give Flynn( playing Gentlemen Jim Corbet his championship belt)

[@mikr2d2]

You are absolutely right. Remember that scene. Gave me goosebumps and wet eyes.

[@imalt8271]

I remember that well. I was a kid when I saw it and I've liked him ever since.

[@seveglider8406]

The final scene in Gentleman Jim is something everybody should view. As good as it gets!

[@thomasjorge4734]

Yes! That made such an impression on me as a kid.

[@chrisjarvis4449]

Wayne and bond , bond and Wayne any way you look at it what a pair ! all time greats !

[@blusnuby2]

Celluloid heroes, for sure.

[@bogee4u]

and Ben Johnson

[@chrisjarvis4449]

Sam the Lion

[@larryambrose2660]

I think he is one of the best ever. He is great in every movie he was in and in Wagon Train. I think he is very funny in Tobacco Road.

[@famouspeople63]

He had a sense of humour, that's for sure.

[@robertlosasso4222]

They played together in The Shepherd of The Hills . The scene at the end of the movie of a flock of sheep with dogs in the meadow under a morning sun breaking through the tops of those pine trees is where I wanna be when I die .

[@famouspeople63]

The movies then really did know how to get you where you live.

[@JCDiamond526]

I had heard the story many years ago about John Ford and John Wayne drinking to Ward Bond as was mentioned by a previous commenter. With my father being a big fan of westerns and war pictures, and me of old movies in general, we started drinking to Bond when we would get together. Sadly, my father is gone now but those memories remain.

[@flintrichards945]

Ward Bond was a great actor I always enjoyed seeing him in movies and the TV show wagon train he has always been one of my very favorites.

[@ravisriram6746]

A great actor. Simply wonderful in "Wagon Train".

[@michaelterry4394]

Get me an actor like Ward Bond, not easily replaceable. Just about the best supporting actor of all time . The GOAT LOL.

[@metablue4454]

Perfectly put!!

[@247drycleaners9]

So many of that era went down early as a result of heavy smoking. Too bad. Ward Bond was my mother's favorite.

[@marstondavis]

Ward Bond died way too soon. It's hard to believe but he was only 57 when he passed. I think he was just great in every roll he played.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, he could have gone on for another 20 years. But we have the movies he did. I watch them regularly.

[@paulweir5031]

57 years too long.

[@russgilbertson8689]

Great actor, made all the movies he was in even better.

[@famouspeople63]

They had good casting agents :)

[@brentlittle8075]

He could act in the same with anyone else in the world. he knew himself and his honesty shone out. He was confident and sure.

[@garybrockwell2031]

Rest with the BEST 😭🙏😇 THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER 🗣️🇬🇧🎬😉 THANKS FOR THE MEMORY'S 👍 LOVE FROM LONDON 🤩😍🇬🇧💯🙏

[@famouspeople63]

Thanks London :)

[@petermiller114]

Mr. Bond used to come up to my families ranch in Central California to hunt dove and ducks. It was before I was born but he was friends with my Grandpa. My Dad has fond memories of him.

[@famouspeople63]

Love to see photos if there are any. As well as any stories to tell?

[@Paul-lm5gv]

This was all very interesting but I was hoping to learn more about him growing up and how he got into the movies. And more about him as a man. His personal life?

[@famouspeople63]

I'm thinking of a follow up with some more meat on the bone. Stay tuned.

[@paulweir5031]

His personal life? Right wing scumbag, that's all you need to know.

[@FLStelth]

He was great! I especially enjoyed his performance in The Quiet Man.

[@wardjones2261]

My favorite Ward Bond role: Aggrieved father trampling through the snow with Robert Ryan searching for his daughter's murderer ... who was hiding with Ida Lupino ... in "On Dangerous Ground." 1951

[@vestibulate]

Ward Jones His character wasn't just aggrieved. He was a violent man instinctually driven towards vengeance. Bond was indeed very effective in the role. Given his own involvement in hounding fellow actors out of Hollywood during the period of the blacklist, one might even speculate that the ill-natured ugliness in his performance came naturally.

[@francisalanwormald6328]

NOW 85 I BLOWN AWAY BY HIS CREDITS!! I KNOW OF HIM SO WELL. SHOCKED TO LEARN HE DIED SO YOUNG. I CONSIDER HIM A "ROCK" IN SO MANY GREAT FILMS. SURELY RIP

[@itsjoannotjoann5070]

Ward Bond was an epileptic and was also hit by a car in 1945. The doctors did manage to save his leg but he always wore a leg brace from then on but was able to successfully hide it.

[@famouspeople63]

We all carry our scars, some are better at hiding them :)

[@paulweir5031]

What a shame that he wasn't killed.

[@johnchaparro5393]

In the movie business the best place to be is that of a supporting actor,you get a ll the benefits of as succefull career but we ithout the headaches and the weigh on your shoulders. Ah,and you don't have to worry about getting old,for character actor keep getting roles long after the movie starts have fade it away.Great actor Ward Bond.

[@Rp-bk7mh]

Hollywood was build with great character actors and Ward was one of the finest

[@famouspeople63]

Yes the support and character actors interest me more than the leads sometimes. They hold the films up.

[@mikelaird5458]

I guess he and the Duke were best buddies. That figures. I always thought they were the same kinda guys. Both a man's man in every way.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes they were buddies before making movies. Played football together.

[@alec2726]

Just about the best!

[@danhuttinger5040]

I really enjoy watching films he was in he was a great acter you know the acters that are in the leading rolls are great but if it wasn't for the carator actors there would be no films.

[@jbart1411]

You don’t mention that he was John Wayne’s best friend from college to Ward Bonds death

[@blusnuby2]

They played football together at USC.

[@famouspeople63]

Wayne as looked after his friends, very generous soul

[@jbart1411]

@@famouspeople63 thank you

[@jbart1411]

@@famouspeople63 he is my personal hero

[@normajeanschreffler]

Excellent. Thanks

[@douglasturner6153]

That's "Bond, Ward Bond". Not to be confused with "Bond, James Bond"!

[@georgec4917]

As a ch.ild I loved wagon train. He was also one of John Waynes best friend

[@barrygrant2907]

As fine a character/supporting actor as there ever was.

[@famouspeople63]

Don't get much better.

[@joestephan1111]

He & Clark Gable were avid motorcycle riders. They often did long trips together.

[@blusnuby2]

Gable used to bail-outa Hollywood and go fishing on the Rogue River, in Oregon, to 'decompress.'

[@kenowens9021]

Wish he had gotten more leading roles.

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Enjoyed!

[@jeffreypinder9398]

Great actor.

[@oliver2846]

He was brilliant in The Quiet Man.

[@famouspeople63]

As with all his movies.

[@sherryrobinson7389]

His part in Gone with the Wind is a scream ( when they covered up Ashley as "drunk " not shot!

[@edshoaff3055]

There is a KZbin video that says Ward told fellow Wagon Train cast members that Robert Horton was gay and then when Ward died unexpectedly Robert Horton attended his funeral…..that is what I call CLASS !

[@famouspeople63]

Who knows what went on in those days in Hollywood and the industry?

[@barryputterman2412]

@@famouspeople63 Well actually, quite a bit is known about what went on in Hollywood and the industry in those days. You could do a two hour video including everything known about Ward Bond the great actor who is in an astonishing number of great films contrasted with Ward Bond the right-wing, alcoholic bully who created a very long enemy list for himself if you were a mind to.

[@ingridolsen4591]

Good to hear an Aussie voice for a change. Sadly the music is STILL to loud!

[@famouspeople63]

I'll work on the music, didn't know my accent was so noticable :)

[@bobbyb.6644]

Great character Actor ! Died way too Early ! RIP Mr. Bond 🥲

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, took of his boots too soon.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

well done

[@johnsieverssr8288]

Loved him.

[@ironseabeelost1140]

Nice.

[@joewalsh6359]

He was great as the priest/narrator of The Quiet Man

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, he had a surprisingly versatile range.

[@mariagonzalez651]

Excelente actor!

[@peterlaino6383]

Now that's me the tall saintly looking man..Peter Lonigrin (parish priest) ..good heavens what's that woman up to now? Make way she'll run ya down

[@famouspeople63]

You know your Ward Bond!

[@moriahjacobs6131]

Don't forget kiss Tomorrow goodbye with Cagney.

[@dmutant2635]

Ward Bond was fun to watch in every movie he made. And he got to be in some great films. 🙂

[@famouspeople63]

He made a lot of friends and fans along the way.

[@qtcarter8127]

Ward Bond was a great actor. Doing Ford movies and acting with John Wayne Unfortunately, Bond was also anti-Semitic , anti Native American, Anti African American and Latino. He and Wayne made great friends .

[@MarkHarrison733]

Bond hated everyone.

[@alancooper9632]

Just like John Wayne and his like, he was the United States of America. I've all ways loved the Yankees for there love of there country, its a pity we British have thrown it all away.

[@blusnuby2]

All of The West has thrown it all away. Glad Ward & John died before seeing their beloved America get trashed.....

[@paulweir5031]

Always there as a Republican witch hunter.

[@philovance1940]

You don’t see actors like Ward Bond anymore.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, they broke the mold.

[@leebowens2631]

Heard he was John Wayne's best friend and Walter Brennen did not like Ward because he thought he drank to much .

[@swinedance]

The earliest of his films that I saw him in was Wild Boys of the Road. It didn't go well for him.

[@bobhoye5951]

Interesting bio, but the MUSIC--had to check out.

[@barneyrubbles2485]

R.I.P ALL..

[@jeanbaptistevallee4500]

"Brethren, leave us go amongst them!"

[@johnnymac1580]

I have often wondered how many movies he made

[@johngray5447]

You watch that knife boy. (The Searchers) Referring to an army sword carried by Ethan Wayne. I always get a bit of a laugh from that line.

[@pstanton2445]

Ethan? I thought that was Patrick Wayne??

[@richardwhite3924]

Ward Bond was an extreme Right-wing person and during the Red Scare of the 1950s, was active in the group Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, accusing fellow actors, directors, screenwriters, cameramen and tech crew members of being Communists and demanding they be blacklisted. Bond accused them of being Communists because they openly supported President Harry Truman and not his Republican Presidential opponent Thomas Dewey in the 1948 election or because they got roles in films that he had wanted.

[@paulweir5031]

Thanks, Richard; yours is the first voice of truth that I have found besides mine. I daresay his fans will have something to say about you.

[@teastrainer3604]

He was a great actor, but being very good at something doesn't mean you're OK.

[@briangoldy8784]

Ward Bonds Death. hit Duke Hard, I heard, They were best Buddies, Duke wore a Silver Bracelet on his Wrist, Ward Bond Gave Duke , You'll notice it. In all the Movies, after 1960,,,,,😔

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, they were close.

[@buddyroeginocchio9105]

Suggest this is not a coincidence: in the Shootist scene of John Wayne and Lauren Bacall; Books asks Mrs. Roberts what is your first name? she says "Bond", Books says "Bond! That's a cracker-jack name for a woman."

[@phillipbrown8346]

GOOD ACTOR...

[@davidrice3337]

I'm waiting for the interesting part

[@Daniel-ow2io]

The title said Interesting Facts about Ward Bond. Where were the interesting facts. Maybe they meant interesting movies. Misleading title.

[@joep8787]

Didn't even scratch the surface. Didn't mention he had a big role in "Tobacco Road" as a guy who could lift a ton but couldn't spell it, "Canyon Passage" as a frightening killer-rapist, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" as a corrupt police captain and "Dakota Incident" as a liberal minded Senator who wants to reach out to Indians. He could play anything and regardless of the budget of the movie or how bad his co stars were, he always delivered a good performance. Sometimes he even stole scenes from more famous actors. Watch his closing scene with Errol Flynn in "Gentleman Jim". He makes you tear up in just a few sentences. He also had a decent singing voice. Whatever movie he was in, was made better for his being in it. If you only saw him in "Wagon Train, you didn't see him at his best.