<P> Historians believe Cogburn was based on Deputy U.S. Marshal Heck Thomas, who brought in some of the toughest outlaws . The cast also features Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Jeff Corey and Strother Martin . The title song, sung by Campbell, was also Oscar - nominated . </P> <P> True Grit was adapted again in 2010, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld . </P> <P> Frank Ross (John Pickard) is murdered by his hired hand, Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey). Ross's young daughter, Mattie (Kim Darby), travels to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where she hires aging U.S. Marshal Reuben "Rooster" J. Cogburn (John Wayne) to bring Chaney in, raising his fee by shrewdly horse trading with Colonel Stonehill (Strother Martin). Mattie has heard that Cogburn has "true grit ." She gives him a payment to track and capture Chaney, who has taken up with outlaw "Lucky" Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall) in Indian Territory (modern - day Oklahoma). </P> <P> A young Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), is also pursuing Chaney and joins forces with Cogburn, despite Mattie's protest . The two try to ditch Mattie, but she catches up and is permitted to ride along . </P>

Who played ned pepper in the original true grit