Clint Eastwood

‘Actors know, with me they aren’t going to be allowed to rehearse a scene for a couple of hours and then get away with doing 25 takes before we get it right. So they come with their full bag of tricks.’ Clint Eastwood is an American actor, director, and producer, best known for his roles as a tough, stoic hero. He gained fame in the 1960s for playing The Man with No Name in Sergio Leone's "spaghetti western" trilogy and later as the gritty detective Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry series. Eastwood's career took off after his role in the TV western Rawhide (1959-65), followed by international stardom with his performances in A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and its sequels. As a director, Eastwood achieved critical acclaim, winning Academy Awards for Unforgiven (1992) and Million Dollar Baby (2004), both of which he directed and starred in. His directorial style is known for its stark, unflinching portrayals of character and violence. Aside from his acting and directing career, Eastwood was the mayor of Carmel, California, from 1986 to 1988. He became known for his minimalistic yet powerful acting style, portraying loners with strong moral codes. His success continued well into the 2000s, with notable films such as Gran Torino (2008), Invictus (2009), American Sniper (2014), and Richard Jewell (2019). Throughout his career, Eastwood received numerous accolades, including the Irving G. Thalberg Award in 1995 and the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 1996. In 2007, he was named a chevalier of the French Legion of Honour, later elevated to commander. Eastwood continues to direct, with his 2024 film Juror #2 showcasing his ongoing influence in the film industry.