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John Wayne earned his reputation as one of the most iconic actors of all time by starring in movies like True Grit, The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Red River. The beloved actor headlined another classic in 1959, Rio Bravo, which has been ranked among the Greatest Westerns of all time. Part of the reason the acclaimed film stands out in movie history is that it featured a remarkably star-studded cast.
'Rio Bravo' Named Among the Greatest Western Movies
In March 2026, Time Out updated its ranking of the "50 greatest western movies" of all time and included Rio Bravo at No. 28 on the list. Directed by the legendary Howard Hawks, the film focuses on John Wayne's character, Sheriff John T. Chance. After arresting a man for taking someone's life, the lawman has to fend off a crew of criminals seeking to break the villain out. The sheriff can only rely on a small ragtag group to help him, including an alcoholic, an elderly man, a baby-faced young man, and a gambler who is his love interest.
There are many reasons why Rio Bravo stands out as a great Western, including how expertly it builds its characters. The most compelling aspect of the film is the tension that is created when a small group of characters that viewers care about are besieged from all sides. The movie is also highlighted by the chemistry shared by the film's star-studded cast.
For those reasons and more, Rio Bravo was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry in 2014. That is a database designed to ensure that films of cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance never disappear.
The Star-Studded Cast That Helped Make 'Rio Bravo' a Western Legend
In 1959, John Wayne was one of the biggest movie stars in the world. As such, Rio Bravo easily could have been a hit even if it starred him and a group of actors that moviegoers had never heard of. Despite that, Howard Hawks assembled an impressive list of actors to appear alongside The Duke.
Rio Bravo's Star-Studded Cast:
- John Wayne
- Dean Martin
- Ricky Nelson
- Angie Dickinson
- Walter Brennan
- Ward Bond
- John Russell
- Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez
- Estelita Rodriguez
- Bing Russell
Wayne's most famous co-star in the film had to be Dean Martin, the legendary actor, comedian, TV host, and singer known for being a member of the Rat Pack. Ricky Nelson was popular for starring in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and releasing the song "Poor Little Fool," which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. After rising to fame in Gun the Man Down, Angie Dickinson's role in Rio Bravo is what really secured her place in film history. The rest of the movie's main cast was filled with actors with impressive filmographies and claims to fame.
Next: 1968 ‘Greatest Western of All Time’ Has the ‘Most Perfect Opening Scene of All Time’
