9 Things You Probably Never Knew About Clint Eastwood

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, Clint Eastwood, 1966 [US: 1967] — Everett Collection

Audiences were feeling lucky as they watched Clint Eastwood star in film after film. With his distinctive squint and a gun often doing the talking, he became the quintessential tough guy. Eastwood had been a big- and small-screen staple since the 1950s, getting his first major role as Rowdy Yates in Rawhide. He continued to rise to fame with many spaghetti westerns in the 1960s, including A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966).

Eastwood made some of his most memorable movies in the 1970s, including Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970), Dirty Harry (1971), and Every Which Way but Loose (1978), showing his versatility as both actor and director, which he continued through the 1980s and 1990s, lasting until his last movie as director, 2024’s Juror #2.

Eastwood is now largely retired and staying out of the public eye, living in the quiet California seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, where he was once mayor.

To honor over 70 years as a global icon, and turning 96 on May 31, here are 10 fun facts you may not have known about this legendary star.

1 His Oscar Recognitions Span Three Categories

Clint Eastwood winning Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Actor for his film, UNFORGIVEN, 1993.

TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Talk about a golden pattern: Eastwood’s Academy Award wins and nominations over the years have all been for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

2 Eastwood Was Fired From Universal

According to the studio, because the actor’s Adam’s apple was too big and he delivered his lines too slowly, Universal terminated his contract early.

3 He Rarely Yells “Action”

INVICTUS, director Clint Eastwood, on set, 2009.

Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

Known for his calm demeanor, Eastwood seldom yells cues on set — and there’s a reason for it. Tom Hanks revealed that, after learning that shouting “action” while working on Westerns made the horses skittish, Eastwood began signaling his cues quietly.

4 **Eastwood Got the Part in Dirty Harry When Frank Sinatra Couldn’t Hold a Gun**

Sinatra was originally a top choice to play Harry Callahan, but after Ol’ Blue Eyes broke his wrist while making The Manchurian Candidate and couldn’t hold Harry’s signature .44 Magnum, the role went to Eastwood, but not until after Steve McQueen and Paul Newman both turned it down.

5 He’s the Oldest Oscar Winner for Best Director

Producer Clint Eastwood poses with his awards for Best Motion Picture and Best Director for "Million Dollar Baby" backstage during the 77th Annual Academy Awards on February 27, 2005 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California.

Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

In 2005, Eastwood won his second Academy Award for Best Director with Million Dollar Baby. At 74 years old, he made history as the oldest winner of the category.

6 He’s Composed Music for His Films

Although he’s never been nominated for best score at the Academy Awards, Eastwood frequently writes music for his movies, including the scores for 2003’s Mystic River and 2004’s Million Dollar Baby.

7 He Was in a Sequel for the Horror Hit The Creature From the Black Lagoon

Long before he became a Western icon, the actor had a small part in Revenge of the Creature; it was an uncredited role with Eastwood playing a lab technician.

8 Eastwood Loves Jazz and Recorded an Album

As an accomplished pianist and longtime jazz fan, Eastwood recorded the album Eastwood After Hours: Live at Carnegie Hall in 1997, playing the piano alongside professional jazz musicians.

9 He Turned Down Iconic Roles

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…not Clint Eastwood, who was offered the role of Superman but passed on the opportunity, with the part going to Christopher Reeve for the 1978 film. Another iconic movie role he turned down in the ’70s? Bond. James Bond.