John Wayne's Grandson, Brendan Wayne, Celebrates the 'Profound Impact' of Storytelling in New Podcast, 'Hats and Helmets' (Exclusive)
John Wayne's Grandson, Brendan Wayne, Celebrates the 'Profound Impact' of Storytelling in New Podcast, 'Hats and Helmets' (Exclusive)
Angela AndaloroFri, July 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC
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Brendan WayneCredit: Daniel Knighton/Getty -
Brendan Wayne is the grandson of beloved Western star John Wayne
Wayne plays The Mandalorian and is sharing his next adventure, telling PEOPLE exclusively about the premiere of his podcast, Hats and Helmets with Brendan Wayne
The actor, 54, tells PEOPLE about how the project gives him the opportunity to continue his family legacy of entertainment and storytelling with his own daughter, Celia
Brendan Wayne is looking forward to meaningful conversations in his latest project.
The actor behind The Mandalorian, 54, tells PEOPLE exclusively that his new podcast, Hats and Helmets with Brendan Wayne, will debut on Wednesday, July 8.
“Hats and Helmets is a podcast that represents the greatest aspects of my life — storytelling and its profound impact on me and how the stories came to fruition. My life has always been family-focused. I am the last of 8 children and we grew up knowing the power of storytelling," Wayne shares with PEOPLE of the podcast's premiere.
He continued, "My grandfather is the icon, Academy Award winner, John Wayne, who amassed over 200 appearances in film and television throughout his career. My great-uncle Gregory La Cava was nominated for several Academy Awards as a director. My family loved to spin yarns and tell stories, whether at the dinner table or on long drives in the station wagon and the backward-facing trundle seat."
"Hats and Helmets with Brendan Wayne: Everything Has A Story"Credit: David LaCava/Blue Cap Studios
The podcast, produced by Wayne's 22-year-old daughter Celia, explores the art, craft and power of storytelling across film, television, books and popular culture. Wayne hopes to bring together his experience in connecting with audiences and navigating the entertainment industry, as well as his family's legacy of storytelling, to offer insight on how the craft has evolved across generations while remaining grounded in the timeless elements that make stories resonate.
"I've always been fascinated with the way stories come together and often the resulting value that is presented to us as an audience. Being able to accomplish this with my executive producer and daughter, Celia, is the most important aspect," he shares.
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"Celia has always asked great questions both to me and about me and my actions. Celia's insatiable demand for knowledge and ability knows zero limits. To be able to present this podcast on my brother's birthday and right before my father's birthday feels very prescient. I am so proud to be working with my brother, David, and his company Bluecap Studios, which is a creative agency that built my brand as well as many other successful companies.”
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Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder at 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' world premiere in May 2026Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Hats & Helmets will feature conversations between Wayne and actors, writers, directors, producers, and other creative professionals, as the actor goes beyond the finished product to uncover what makes stories memorable. His first guest is two-time Emmy-winning actor Lateef Crowder, stunt performer for The Mandalorian.
Wayne spoke with PEOPLE about The Mandalorian & Grogu in May, where he talked about what the character means to him.
"I love playing Mando. I'm an adult who gets paid to live his childhood imagination. I get to walk on set every day, and some days are tougher than others, but none of them are bad. And it's really simple, I get to play the sheriff who's always trying to do good," he shared.
"My grandfather really did it well. He was never a white hat guy. He was a truly complicated character who did the right thing in tough moments. And those kinds of characters are incredible, and that's who Mando is."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
