Andrew V McLaglen dead: Western director known for films starring John Wayne passes away aged 94

He directed the legendary actor in classics McLintock!, The Undefeated, Chisum, Cahill US Marshal and Hellfighters

The late actor John Wayne, who starred in several Andrew V McLaglen films, with his sign in 1966

Andrew V McLaglen, the British-born Western director who regularly worked with John Wayne, has died at the age of 94.

He directed the legendary actor in classics McLintock!, The Undefeated, Chisum, Cahill US Marshal and Hellfighters. His death was confirmed by the late actor’s estate, John Wayne Enterprises.

“We will never forget Andrew's warm personality, fantastic sense of humour, kindness and zest for life,” a post on John Wayne’s tribute Facebook page, which is run by his estate, read.

“Even though we'll greatly miss Andrew, we'll never forget the memories shared at his house on the Island with good friends. Our condolences to his children, Josh McLaglen and Mary McLaglen, his family and friends.”

The son of Oscar-winning British actor Victor McLaglen, he was born in London in 1920, but grew up surrounded by the magic of Hollywood as he often joined his father on set.

Andrew started out as a professional boxer and starred alongside Wayne in John Ford’s She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. But he learned his craft working as an assistant director for Ford on The Quiet Man.

He went on to direct his father in The Abductors, Gregory Peck in The Sea Wolves, Charlton Heston in The Last Hard Men and Kirk Douglas in The Way West.

Wild Geese in 1978 starred Richard Burton and Roger Moore, while The Ballad of Josie saw Doris Day and Peter Graves in the lead roles. Other stars who have appeared in his films over his four-decade career include Brooke Shields and Dean Martin. His last film was Return from the River Kwai in 1989.

As well as the silver screen, he also directed a number of episodes for TV series classics Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Have Gun – Will Travel.