Did john Wayne ever play an outlaw?

John Wayne is best known for playing heroic characters, particularly in Western films, and he rarely portrayed outlaws or villains. Throughout his career, Wayne typically embodied the roles of courageous cowboys, lawmen, and soldiers, representing moral values and upholding justice. However, there were a few instances where he played characters with morally ambiguous qualities or antiheroic traits:

1. "Red River" (1948): Wayne portrayed Thomas Dunson, a headstrong and ruthless cattle rancher who leads his crew on a perilous cattle drive. While he is not an outlaw, Dunson's methods are often questionable, and he conflicts with his foster son regarding leadership and morality.

2. "The Searchers" (1956): Wayne played Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who embarks on a relentless pursuit to rescue his niece from Native American captors. While Edwards's determination and courage are admirable, his obsessive quest and questionable actions make him a complex and morally conflicted character.

3. "The Shootist" (1976): In one of Wayne's final roles, he portrayed John Bernard Books, an aging gunfighter who returns to his hometown to confront his mortality. Books is a tragic figure, haunted by his past and facing his impending demise. While not a traditional outlaw, Books represents a dying breed and the consequences of a violent life.

These instances demonstrate that while John Wayne primarily portrayed heroic characters, he also ventured into morally complex roles that showcased his versatility as an actor.