Ruth Haines
John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA) is an international airport that serves Orange County and Greater Los Angeles in California. The airport was originally named Orange County Airport but was renamed in 1979 by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in honour of the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year. In 2020, activists called for the airport's name to be changed back to Orange County Airport due to comments the actor had made in support of white supremacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous name | Orange County Airport |
| Renamed | June 20, 1979 |
| Renamed by | Orange County Board of Supervisors |
| Renamed in honor of | Actor John Wayne |
| John Wayne's connection to the area | He lived in Newport Beach, which is close to the airport |
| John Wayne's death year | 1979 |
| Installation of a statue of John Wayne | 1982 |
| Height of the statue | 9 feet |
| Location of the statue | Thomas F. Riley Terminal on the Arrival Level |
| Reason for name change demands in 2020 | Comments made by John Wayne in a 1971 Playboy interview indirectly supporting white supremacy |
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What You'll Learn
- John Wayne was a resident of Newport Beach
- The airport was renamed in 1979, the year of John Wayne's death
- A statue of John Wayne was installed in the terminal in 1982
- In 2020, activists called for the airport to revert to its former name
- The airport is also referred to as Orange County Airport and Santa Ana Airport
John Wayne was a resident of Newport Beach
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979 to honour the late actor John Wayne, who was a resident of the neighbouring Newport Beach and died that year. John Wayne Airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California, and is owned and operated by the county. The airport is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, and its IATA airport code, SNA, is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.
John Wayne was a famous American actor known for his roles in Western films. He lived in Newport Beach, California, and was a well-respected member of the community. Newport Beach is a beautiful coastal city in Orange County, known for its stunning beaches, luxurious homes, and vibrant culture. It is a popular tourist destination, offering a wide range of attractions, including surfing, sailing, and other outdoor activities.
As a resident of Newport Beach, John Wayne had strong ties to the local community. He was known for his involvement in local events and charities, and his presence often drew attention to the area. Newport Beach was a source of inspiration for Wayne, and he often spoke about the sense of peace and tranquility he felt while living there. He was known to take walks on the beach and enjoy the stunning sunsets that the area is famous for.
The decision to rename the airport after John Wayne was made by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in recognition of his contributions to the film industry and his connection to the local community. A 9-foot bronze statue of "the Duke", as he was nicknamed, was installed at the airline terminal in 1982 and dedicated to the county.
In recent years, there have been calls to change the airport's name back to Orange County Airport due to comments made by John Wayne in a 1971 interview that were deemed to be in support of white supremacy. Despite this, the airport continues to bear his name, and it remains a busy transportation hub for the region.
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The airport was renamed in 1979, the year of John Wayne's death
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979, the year of John Wayne's death. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California, and is owned and operated by the county. The Orange County Board of Supervisors made the decision to rename the airport in honour of the famous actor, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach.
John Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison, was a prominent American actor known for his roles in Western films. He had a successful career spanning several decades and became a cultural icon. His unexpected death in 1979 shocked his fans and left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. The decision to rename the airport in Orange County, an area closely associated with John Wayne, was a tribute to his legacy and a way to commemorate his contributions to the world of cinema.
The renaming of the airport occurred on June 20, 1979, just months after John Wayne's death. The new name, John Wayne Airport, was chosen to honour the memory of the late actor and to celebrate his connection to the region. The airport's code, SNA, is derived from Santa Ana, where the airport is located. Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County, and the airport serves the region, including the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
The tribute to John Wayne at the airport extended beyond just the name change. In 1982, a 9-foot bronze statue of John Wayne, affectionately known as "The Duke", was installed at the airline terminal. This statue further solidified the airport's association with the actor and served as a visual reminder of his legacy for travellers passing through.
The renaming of the airport in the year of John Wayne's death was a significant gesture. It reflected the impact he had on popular culture and cemented his place in the hearts of many in Orange County and beyond. Despite some controversies surrounding the actor's legacy, including comments he made in a 1971 interview that were perceived as supporting white supremacy, the airport continues to bear his name.
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A statue of John Wayne was installed in the terminal in 1982
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979 in honour of the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year.
Three years after the airport was renamed, a statue of John Wayne was installed in the terminal. The 9-foot (2.7-metre) bronze statue was dedicated to the County on November 4, 1982, and can now be found in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal on the Arrival Level. The statue was created by sculptor Robert Summers, who was commissioned by the John Wayne Associates. It was cast at the Hoka Hey Foundry in Dublin, Texas.
The inclusion of the statue in the terminal further cements the airport's connection to John Wayne. In June 2020, activists demanded the airport's name be changed back to Orange County Airport, due to comments the actor had made in indirect support of white supremacy in a 1971 Playboy interview. Despite this, the statue remains a fixture of the airport.
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In 2020, activists called for the airport to revert to its former name
An emergency resolution was passed by local politicians, condemning Wayne's remarks. The resolution called on the Orange County Board of Supervisors to remove the actor's name, statue, and other likenesses from the airport, stating that they should restore its original name: Orange County Airport. The statue of John Wayne, commissioned in 1979 after the airport was renamed, was intended to honour the actor, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year.
Some commentators have suggested that the issue of the airport's name distracts from more pressing issues of ongoing and systemic discrimination highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement. However, the call to revert the airport's name reflects a broader movement to remove statues and rename places that honour historical figures with racist ideologies.
As of my last update in January 2023, the airport still bears the name John Wayne Airport.
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The airport is also referred to as Orange County Airport and Santa Ana Airport
John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County, California, is also referred to as Orange County Airport and Santa Ana Airport. The airport is situated in an unincorporated area of Orange County, surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. Its IATA airport code, "SNA", is derived from Santa Ana, the county seat of Orange County.
The airport was originally named Orange County Airport until it was renamed in honour of the late actor John Wayne, who resided in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away in 1979. The Orange County Board of Supervisors made the decision to rename the airport that same year.
The usage of multiple names for the airport has resulted in some confusion, with travellers encountering varying airport names and codes on departure and arrival boards, as well as on tickets. This issue is not unique to John Wayne Airport, as similar inconsistencies have been observed in other airports across different states.
In recent years, there have been calls to revert the airport's name to Orange County Airport. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, activists demanded the name change due to comments made by John Wayne in a 1971 interview, which appeared to support white supremacy. Despite this, the airport continues to bear the name of the iconic actor.
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Frequently asked questions
The John Wayne Airport was formerly named the Orange County Airport.
The airport was renamed on June 20, 1979.
The airport was renamed to honour actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away in 1979.
Yes, in June 2020, activists demanded that the airport's name be changed back to Orange County Airport due to comments the actor made in indirect support of white supremacy in a 1971 Playboy interview.
