We Don't Always Know

I watched TCM'S LETTERS FROM HOLLYWOOD with a letter from Gilbert Roland to Clara Bow while she was in a mental hospital.  The narrator pointed out that Roland was a macho man who you wouldn't expect to write such a sensitive, caring letter and you wouldn't expect John Wayne to write such a letter.  Wayne's letter (or was it telegram) to Barbara Walters when she became an anchor on ABC Evening News may not be as sensitive as Roland's letter, but it seems out of character for Wayne.  Walters was given a hard time by the ABC crew and co-anchor( I think it was Howard K. Smith) when she was made the first female anchor.  Wayne, whose films always have him ambivalent to women, spanks them sometimes, etc, he told Walters "Don't let the b*stards get you down"  That seems out of character, I would have expected his attitude to be -put the woman back in the kitchen.  

If I could go back in time and allowed, I would like to have interviewed Wayne about his views on women, westerns and other topics to get a more dimensional view of him.

Same with DeMille who was alt-right, seemingly non-forgiving, yet gave Edward G. Robinson a job, defying the gray or blacklisting of Robinson.  DeMille wanted Directors Guild members to sign a loyalty oath.  Why did he hire Robinson?

When someone does something out of character, I'm fascinated, want to know more, understand their thinking.