John Wayne stars as Ethan Edwards, Jeffrey Hunter plays Martin Pawley, and Vera Miles appears as Laurie Jorgensen in John Ford’s 1956 western ‘The Searchers‘.
Main cast
- Ethan EdwardsJohn WayneMain
- Martin PawleyJeffrey HunterMain
- Debbie EdwardsNatalie WoodMain
Supporting cast
- Laurie JorgensenVera MilesSupp
- Aaron EdwardsJohn QualenSupp
- Martha EdwardsDorothy JordanSupp
- Captain Samuel Johnson ClaytonWard BondSupp
- Lars JorgensenJohn LoderSupp
- Mrs. JorgensenOlive CareySupp
Guest & voice
- Charlie McCorryKen CurtisGuest
- Old Man Clanton / Arithmetic student (uncredited)Hank WordenGuest
- Indian woman (uncredited)Aissa WayneGuest
No matches — try another name.
About this cast
The Searchers is a 1956 American epic Western film directed by John Ford. It stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who spends years searching for his abducted niece, Debbie, played by Natalie Wood. The film is widely considered a masterpiece of the genre and a landmark in American cinema.
FAQs
Who plays Ethan Edwards in The Searchers?
John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards.
Who plays Martin Pawley in The Searchers?
Jeffrey Hunter plays Martin Pawley.
Who plays Debbie Edwards in The Searchers?
Natalie Wood plays Debbie Edwards.
Who plays Laurie Jorgensen in The Searchers?
Vera Miles plays Laurie Jorgensen.
Who plays Captain Samuel Johnson Clayton in The Searchers?
Ward Bond plays Captain Samuel Johnson Clayton.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026