John Wayne's Grandson Looks Just Like The Legend

Brendan Wayne, the grandson of Hollywood legend John Wayne, has some big boots to fill as he makes his way as an actor. Lucky for him, he doesn't get too upset with comparisons. Being related to one of the most iconic Western actors ever is something he embraces. And the fact that he looks just like his famous grandpa certainly doesn't hurt.

"I don't have any ego about that," Brendan told HollywoodChicago about people asking about his grandfather. "I've seen how far he reaches and how many people he touches in a positive way."

Brendan started acting in 2000 — and at first, decided not to use his grandpa's last name (or technically, his stage name — John Wayne was born Marion Morrison). After six years and some prompting from his team, Brendan decided to use "Wayne." "My managers and my agents were really pushing me to do it, telling me it's a good idea," he explained. "I struggled with it for a long time... I talked to my Dad, and he knew where I was going. He said to me, 'if your mother was a Rockefeller, and you were in the oil business, I'd say change your name.'"

Brendan is no slouch when it comes to his career. He has several acting credits (including Jon Favreau's Cowboys and Aliens), and most recently, he played a very important part in Disney+'s phenomena The Mandalorian. According to Vulture, he was the man in the armor — yep, he played the title role.

Brendan Wayne, grandson of Hollywood icon John Wayne, landed one of the most coveted roles of 2019: The Mandalorian. Well, sort of. He plays Pedro Pascal's double and is credited with wearing the armor of the bounty hunter for many scenes, according to Vulture.

He told the website that the whole process was extremely secretive, and when he realized he was going to be in a show about the Star Wars universe, he was thrilled. "It was a dream to work on this because I was able to live what brought me to acting every day," Brendan said. "I got to get on a landspeeder; I got to have my own Razor Crest. To be part of the mythology that you grew up with that was integral to you as a kid — it was really cool."

The 48-year-old didn't mind that he wasn't playing the full role. "My agent said, 'You won't be the voice,' and I said, 'I don't care. What am I doing though? I do not want to sit around. Get me going — let me run into a wall, whatever you want. Throw me from a building — totally fine. You know, hurt me, but don't make me sit around all day,'" he told Vulture. And he got to do exactly that, shooting fighting scenes regularly.

Brendan is already making quite an impression on Hollywood — just like his legendary grandfather.

These days, Brendan Wayne's most notable role is a "Mandalorian warrior" in The Mandalorian. However, there's a good chance that you've seen him in other movies and TV shows over the years. He first popped up in Hollywood in 2001 when he took on a smaller part on Angel, the Buffy the Vampire spin-off that starred David Boreanaz as the cursed blood-sucker. Although, if you're looking for Brendan's name among the credits — as well as on a handful of other earlier gigs such as A Midsummer Night's Rave, S.W.A.T., and Cold Case — you'll have to try and find Danny La Cava (his real full name, BTW, is Daniel Brendan La Cava). 

From there, he went on to nab minor roles on The Closer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Sons of Anarchy, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as playing an FBI agent in 2009's Fast & Furious.

While Brendan obviously has experience in the business, he hasn't quite reached the same level of fame that his grandfather enjoyed. However, he does know what kind of character he'd want to play in order to make a name for himself. "Jason Bourne," he told HollywoodChicago. He explained, "[T]he role represents a part of me that I really enjoy, the physical side, and that part to me would be really fantastic."

However, there's more to this member of a famous family than just a passion for his profession. In fact, his family is also incredibly important to him.

Brendan Wayne may be the grandson of John Wayne, but he's also the adoring father of three daughters who he shares with Safe House and S.W.A.T. actress Sara Arrington. If you follow Brendan on social media, you're sure to catch glimpses of his children from time to time, playing at the beach, enjoying a baseball game together, or sometimes even hanging out with other famous figures, like Riverdale's Madelaine Petsch.

Brendan dedicated an Instagram post to Arrington on Mother's Day in 2019 that included photos of the family as well as a message for his wife. "You hand make their costumes, wipe their noses, teach them everything from how to use power tools to what's the best way to find their power," he wrote. "Your wisdom and passion are so evident in them and they are going to succeed because of you. Thank you for all you are and all you give."

He also seemingly has as much admiration for his own mother, Toni, who was John Wayne's daughter. A day before he posted about his wife, Brendan shared images of his mom, writing, "Thanks for all you taught me, Mom. You would be a proud grandma every time you saw or heard about my girls. They have your strength and intelligence (thank god not mine [laughing emoji]). Your sacrifice, love, and patience made all the good traits I carry," and added, #momsmakeadifference, #lovemymom, as well as, unsurprisingly, #proudson.