Beginning in 1927 as a prop boy at the age of 20, John Wayne for his first decade in the industry made 40 "B" westerns. That background, however, was preparation for Stagecoach, John Ford's classic western filmed in 1939. In his 50-year film career, Wayne appeared in more than 200 titles, most of which were directed by Ford and Howard Hawks. He became politically active during the Nixon president administration in support of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The year 1962 was a strong won for John Wayne, when he made The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Hatari, and The Longest Day. His 1969 performance in True Grit won an Academy Award.