The Shootist Jack Pulford was shot in the back by Books, and Books, in turn, was shot by Gillom; Wayne maintained that over his entire film career, he had never shot an adversary in the back, and would not do so now. He also objected to his character being shot by Gillom, and suggested that the bartender do it, because "no one could ever take John Wayne in a fair fight". Wayne was also responsible for many casting decisions. Several friends and past co-stars, including Bacall, Stewart, Boone, and Carradine, were cast at his request. Stewart had not worked in films for
Ron Howard In 1976, Howard played Gillom Rogers in the movie "The Shootist", with John Wayne. Howard's last significant on-screen role was a reprise of his famous role as Opie Taylor in the 1986 TV movie "Return to Mayberry", an "Andy Griffith Show" reunion reuniting him with Griffith, Don Knotts, and most of the cast. He also appeared in two "Happy Days" TV reunions: 1992's "The Happy Days Reunion Special", a retrospective hosted by Winkler that aired on ABC; and 2005's "The Happy Days 30th Anniversary Reunion", where he was reunited with most of the surviving cast. Before leaving "Happy Days" in