John Wayne is the undisputed king of the Western. The iconic actor starred in an impressive 179 films and TV shows throughout his 53-year-career.
But, in 1974, he turned down his chance to be in one of the greatest Westerns ever. Mel Brooks approached John to star in Blazing Saddles, but after showing interest and reading the script, he passed on the offer to play Waco Kid.
At a 50th anniversary screening of the comedy-western, Mel, 100, recalled John saying no to a role in the film, telling the audience: “I wanted authenticity. I wanted the Waco Kid to actually have been a Western movie actor, so that he would lend a kind of authentic character to the movie.”
John holding his daughter, Aissa, on the set of The Alamo (@ Bettmann Archive)
He went on: “So I walked over and I said, ‘Mr. Wayne. I made a movie called Blazing Saddles. It’s a comedy, but it has a lot of heart. There’s a great part in it that I wish you would play.’ He said, ‘OK. You know what? I know you. I saw The Producers and I laughed my head off. You are a very funny guy. I’d love to read it.'”
The centenarian remembered: “I met him, he said, ‘I laughed my ass off, but I couldn’t make it. It’s too dirty.'”
The success of Blazing Saddles
While John passed on the film, another Academy Award winner filled his shoes. While Mel first tapped GigYoung for the lead role, he was replaced by GeneWilder after collapsing on set. Gene starred as Jim the Waco Kid, alongside CleavonLittle, SlimPickens, and DavidHuddleston.
Actor Gene Wilder puts his arm around the shoulder of Cleavon Little in ‘Blazing Saddles’ directed by Mel Brooks, 1974. (@ Getty Images)
Blazing Saddles, set in 1874 on the American Frontier, radically redefined comedy by weaponizing absurd satire against systemic racism while dismantling Hollywood’s myth of the American West. The film grossed over $120 million and was nominated for three Academy Awards.
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In June 2026, the American Film Institute (AFI) made an official amendment to its “100 Years… 100 Laughs“ list by moving Blazing Saddles to the top spot. Before their amendment, Mel told Entertainment Weekly in 2014: “I think the AFI number one all-time comedy is Some Like It Hot, which I like. I thought it was really terrific. But it’s certainly not half as funny as Blazing Saddles. I mean, it can’t compare.”
Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman and Burton Gilliam in a scene from the classic 1974 Mel Brooks comedy western ‘Blazing Saddles’. (@ Getty Images)
Inside John Wayne’s illustrious career
While the actor never starred in AFI’s funniest film, John is remembered as one of the greatest stars of classic American cinema. He started out in silent films before pivoting to Westerns. John was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning in 1969 for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in True Grit.
John Wayne starring as Colonel Davy Crockett in the 1960 western ‘The Alamo’. (@ Getty Images)
A few months after appearing at the 51st Academy Awards ceremony, the Western actor died of stomach cancer when he was 72.