Clint Eastwood has worked as an actor, producer, director and composer on well over 100 films and television shows, for which he has received countless honors, including four Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
He’s also a conservationist in his beloved Carmel, putting up significant funds to preserve open space and to keep the historic Mission Ranch, a hotel and restaurant with views of grazing sheep and Point Lobos, from being developed into condominiums.
His local roles have included mayor of Carmel (1986-1988), co-owner of Pebble Beach Company and founder of Tehama Carmel, an environmentally focused community on over 2,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land.
Born May 31, 1930, in San Francisco, California, Eastwood is famous for his Westerns and “Dirty Harry” films. He made a name for himself early on in his career with the TV series “Rawhide” and made his directorial debut with “Play Misty for Me,” filmed in the Carmel area.
Award-winning films such as “Gran Torino,” “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby” have been broadly recognized for their nuanced storytelling and complex themes, while catchphrases such as, “Go ahead, make my day,” from the film “Sudden Impact,” have made their way into the national and even worldwide lexicon.
Perhaps it’s the confident way Eastwood delivers his lines, along with a steely stare and his cool demeanor, that captivates so many. People are awestruck when they see him in person as well.
When Eastwood strolls through the restaurant and bar at his Mission Ranch property, he’s unflappable as admirers try to maintain their composure while gawking at a cultural icon. He shares a quick smile when he pauses to shake a hand, give a wink or make a dry remark, dressed to go under the radar but exuding star quality just the same.
When he sits down for a bite to eat at the Tehama clubhouse, he’s relaxed, friendly and witty to other members, but not overly outgoing.
He’s a regular guy, and he’s much, much more.
At age 93, when most would have long retired, and when he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone, Eastwood, at press time, was putting the finishing touches on his latest work, “Juror #2,” a Warner Bros. film slated for release later in 2024.
Carmel Magazine spoke with Eastwood and six of his eight children a few months before his 94th birthday.
Carmel Magazine: How have you been able to maintain such a long-term successful career?
Clint Eastwood: Truly, I have been very lucky…I couldn’t say exactly how it all came together, but a lot of things early on were about being in the right place at the right time. I have played different parts and told different stories. I have changed it up. Maybe we could chalk it up to I have just kept everyone on their toes?
CM: Why have you chosen to keep working?
Eastwood: I never really thought of retiring. I like working. I love what I do. I really enjoy the filmmaking process. I love my crew and working with the cast. I have a lot of fun with every part of the filming process.
CM: What interested you most about your newest project?
Eastwood: We are still working on it, but I thought it was an interesting one with a true moral dilemma. What if you got called in for jury duty and you realized you were unintentionally involved in the case?
CM: What inspires you when you are creating a film?
Eastwood: I don’t know. Maybe it is not always one thing. I just like telling stories. I have been so lucky to be able to make so many kinds of films. I guess we could have made Western after Western, but I loved being able to mix it up with other genres.
CM: What are some of your most memorable projects and why?
Eastwood: [Laughs] There are a lot out there. Most memorable? I don’t know, I like all of my pictures. Some of them you watch and say, “Did I mean to do that?” and then you see some and say, “Okay, it was better than I thought.”
CM: What is it about the Carmel area that means so much to you?
Eastwood: When I was in the Army, I was stationed nearby at Fort Ord, and I would come into downtown Carmel. I had my first legal beer at Mission Ranch, but more than that, I always felt it was a place I’d like to come back to, a place to call home. I love the people here. I love the golf. I love the coastline. I love the weather. I love that I am close to Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was the perfect place for me.
CM: What would you say are the most important keys to having a rewarding life?
Eastwood: Do what you want to do, and don’t listen to the noise.
CM: Your advice to a filmmaker?
Eastwood: Make the stories you want to make. There is an audience. Just give it a go.
CM: Your advice to anyone?
Eastwood: I don’t know that I have any advice to give. I think we all have to figure it out ourselves. I would just say, don’t be afraid to strike out. Just keep on swinging.
Reflections on Clint Eastwood From His Children
Scott Eastwood
Scott Eastwood is well-known for his resemblance to his father and for playing diverse parts, starting with roles in his father’s movies like “Flags of Our Fathers,” “Gran Torino” and “Invictus.” He’s been in popular films, including “Suicide Squad,” “The Fate of the Furious” and “The Longest Ride.” At press time, Scott was preparing to shoot an action movie with Sylvester Stallone followed by a few days off and then a true story drama with Kate Beckinsale. After filming, he says he plans to come back to Carmel “to visit my pops.”
Scott points out that his father has been on top of his game for close to five decades now, and that’s a pretty big deal.
“He made a transition from being a movie star to directing movies that had a lot of meaning to them,” he says. “I think he transcends the genre of baby boomers who probably grew up watching his movies in the late ’60s and ’70s all the way through the ’90s and then directing movies up until the present day.”
Scott says the breadth of his father’s work appeals to a wide variety of people.
“He’s made an evolution in his career that’s not one note,” he says. “He also represents a generation that wasn’t soft, coming out of the Great Depression, coming out of World War II. I think he speaks to people that had a lot of adversity in their life…the values that he has as a hard-working person, and stands behind, I think appeal to a lot of people.”
As far as Scott’s favorite Clint Eastwood quote, it’s from the character his father plays in 1973’s “Magnum Force,” San Francisco Inspector Harry Callahan, better known as “Dirty Harry.” In the scene, Harry is being threatened by a crooked cop, Lt. Neil Briggs (played by Hal Holbrook), but even with a gun pointed at him, Harry manages to set the timer on a car bomb, tossing it casually in the backseat before Briggs commandeers the vehicle.
Clint remains collected and unflinching while Briggs threatens him before driving off, and when the car explodes, Clint smirks and growls, “A man’s got to know his limitations.”
Alison Eastwood
Alison Eastwood is an actor and writer and has appeared alongside her father in films like “Tightrope” and “The Mule;” in both films she played Clint’s daughter. Alison started the Eastwood Ranch Foundation in Southern California, a nonprofit that rescues animals from high-kill shelters. She says her father has been the owner of a veritable menagerie, including a pet pig, rabbits, birds, pet rats and a desert tortoise, which Alison explains is prone to “running” away.
“They are very tenacious,” she says.
While a huge animal lover, Clint’s allergies to cats, dogs and horses means he has to be careful among those he rescues, which doesn’t stop him from helping animals whenever possible.
“Dad gave me a very deep appreciation for animals and nature,” Alison says. “Growing up on the Central Coast is pretty inspiring and Carmel is one of most dog friendly places anywhere.”
Alison says that her father’s love for things in their natural state crosses over to how he prefers the people around him to be.
“He’s always been about keeping things natural, and he’s that way with other human beings,” she says. “He doesn’t like women wearing makeup, nail polish or dyeing their hair. He’s one of the most ‘au naturel’ people I know.”
As a child, visiting her father on set was not only fun but inspired Alison to get into the movie business as well, though she is now focused on building an expanded animal sanctuary.
“The camaraderie and the process of movie making was very inspiring,” she says. “My father has worked with some of the same people for 20, 30 or 40 years. It says a lot about him that these great people are intensely loyal to him and are obviously enjoying it since they keep coming back.”
Morgan Eastwood
Morgan Eastwood is Clint’s youngest child, now living in New York and getting her master’s degree in creative writing, but grateful that she got to grow up in the relaxed and grounding atmosphere of Carmel.
“I was disconnected for the most part from the Hollywood lifestyle,” she says. “A huge part of that is my mom [Dina Ruiz, a former news anchor and actress, now a writer] and the other huge part is my dad. People might not know that he’s a very normal guy at the end of the day. He’s very down to earth and doesn’t love extravagance. I was able to have normal things and go to public schools.”
At a young age, Morgan appeared in Clint’s films “Million Dollar Baby” and “Changeling,” but wasn’t inspired to become an actor after the experience.
“It was very exciting, and I was in a scene with Angelina Jolie, but it wasn’t something that clicked for me,” she explains. “Not everyone is meant to be an actor.”
Morgan describes her father as “private,” and a “cool dad,” while at the same time she understands why many people view him as an icon.
“He has done so many different things and has so many different talents,” she says.
She attributes his longevity in the film industry to a true passion for storytelling.
“I don’t think my father makes movies out of boredom,” she says. “He tries to choose stories he really likes and wants to tell…He pretty much has the same crew from movie to movie…he loves being with his friends and he loves working.”
Kyle Eastwood
Kyle Eastwood is an award-winning musician and composer, plays the bass guitar with his jazz quintet, has released multiple albums, and recently surprised his father with the project “Eastwood Symphonic.”
Kyle and his quintet performed movie themes that he rearranged from his dad’s films with a 65-piece orchestra from the Czech National Symphony. Since the album release, Kyle has toured throughout Europe performing the arrangements live with other acclaimed orchestras. He hopes to bring the production to the U.S. soon, potentially to the Monterey Jazz Festival.
“It’s an homage to my dad and his career, representing music from his first films up until the present,” he says.
Kyle says his father and mother (actress Maggie Johnson) were both big music fans, particularly jazz fans, and there were always records being played at home. A contributor to many of his father’s films, Kyle is most proud of his work on “Gran Torino” and “Letters from Iwo Jima.”
“Sometimes coming up with a theme for a particular character or a theme for the spirit of a film is a tricky thing,” he shares.
While he acted in some of his father’s movies, Kyle prefers being off screen, finding the process of making a film from beginning to end “fascinating.”
“I would have been a director but [the call of] music was too strong to me. Scoring a film is a nice way to stay involved,” he says.
When creating a movie soundtrack, sometimes Clint will write a melody that Kyle incorporates into the score and other times, Kyle says, “he lets me have at it.”
“It’s a good balance,” Kyle says. “He gives me direction and creative freedom as well.”
Francesca Eastwood
Francesca Eastwood was probably destined to be on screen, with both parents, Clint Eastwood and Frances Fisher, accomplished actors. She has appeared in the movies “Jersey Boys,” “Final Girl,” “Outlaws and Angels,” along with taking roles in television, including playing different ages of the same character with her mother on an episode of the show “Fargo.” While she feels lucky to have acted since her childhood, Francesca, called “Franny” by her siblings, finds the behind-the-scenes process of filmmaking more joyful and exciting.
“I spent a lot of time with both my parents on set,” she says. “They included me in a lot of discussions about their work and their process…I owe that inspiration and passion to them.”
While Clint may be known for his intimidating presence on screen, Francesca says in person he evokes a sense of calm.
“To me, my dad is the embodiment of home, so there’s a feeling of peace and safety that influences those around him,” she says. “His freedom to absolutely be himself and be present might contribute to the reach and connection with so many people over the course of his career.”
As for Clint’s love of Carmel, Francesca says it’s very complex and deep.
“It’s an interdependent relationship,” she says. “He loves Carmel and I believe Carmel truly loves him back.
“For me, Carmel is this beautiful, angelic, kind of sacred place that I got to spend a good amount of time growing up in,” she says. “I feel very lucky that I got to spend time somewhere that’s so beautiful and unique.”
Laurie Murray
Laurie Murray was a fifth-grade science teacher when she was younger, and now divides her time between Lakewood, Washington, and La Quinta, California. Laurie first met her biological father, Clint Eastwood, when she was in her 30s; neither of them knew about the other up until that point.
“I was adopted as a baby, and dad didn’t know about me, and I didn’t know about him,” she says. “When I met my dad, it was love at first sight. He is a wonderful man, and we have unconditional parent/child love for each other. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of a much larger family.”
Murray recalls being shown a newspaper clipping from the 1950s showing her father in his very early 20s at a lifeguard training class on Lake Washington. Even before he was an actor, his star quality was captivating.
“There was a whole group of people together, and he’s the one in that photo that stands out,” she says. “People say, ‘Oh my gosh, look at him.'”
Growing up far removed from Hollywood, Murray explains her experience with her father has had very little to do with the movie business.
“When I first met him, it was more like, ‘Oh wow, this is my dad,’ and I never thought about his fame. We’ve had a long time together and it’s been very fun. I’ve enjoyed my life with the Eastwood family. They are all really fun and lovely, interesting people.”