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Stories

One Movie Stopped Clint Eastwood From Retiring From Acting

by Dana Daly

Published February 17, 2023

Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank

Actor Clint Eastwood has been in the entertainment industry for over 65 years. His filmography spans over 50 projects, where he not only acted but also served as producer and director. On top of that, he’s still active, with his most recent credit coming from 2021’s Cry Macho. But Eastwood was, at one point, seriously considering retiring. What changed that, then?

Age played a bit of a role in Eastwood’s retirement considerations. It certainly impacted his workflow, slowing it and adjusting its course because of the requirements asked of the Western action icon. But thanks to Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood, today 92, decided to continue acting.

Related:

  1. What Has ‘Carrie’ Star Nancy Allen Been Up To Since She Stopped Acting?
  2. The Best Clint Eastwood Movie, As Voted By Fans

Clint Eastwood considered retiring from acting

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, Clint Eastwood
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, Clint Eastwood, 1966 [US: 1967] / Everett Collection
The trajectory of Eastwood’s projects shifted across the many decades he’s worked. Serio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy established Eastwood as the mysterious drifter type, while playing Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films showed Eastwood as an antihero cop throughout all five entries of the film series.

RELATED: Clint Eastwood Nearly Quit Hollywood At The Beginning Of His Career

The turn of the century saw Eastwood focus almost exclusively on work behind the camera instead of acting. Then, as Screen Rant notes, the time between his subsequent projects increased with this new type of work. The outlet notes that by 2000, Eastwood was 70, which changed what exactly he could do when Eastwood put his face in front of the camera, so retiring from acting might have been in the cards.

‘Million Dollar Baby’ kept Clint Eastwood from retiring from the acting side of filmmaking

Blood Work was almost the last film Clint Eastwood appeared in before retiring from acting
Blood Work was almost the last film Clint Eastwood appeared in before retiring from acting / (c) Warner Brothers, Courtesy Everett Collection

Back in 2008, Eastwood spoke with Reuters about the evolving nature of his work. Blood Work was almost the last time anyone would see Eastwood in front of the camera; it was certainly his last time playing a law enforcement type. “I think I started saying that back a few years ago, I said ‘I don’t think I’ll act anymore, I’ll stay behind the camera,'” reflected Eastwood of the successful movie.

MILLION DOLLAR BABY, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank
MILLION DOLLAR BABY, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, 2004. ©Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

He continued to reveal that “Million Dollar Baby came along and I liked that role.” The 2004 boxing drama was a triumph for everyone involved, landing Eastwood further acclaim while also winning four Academy Awards: one for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), and Best Actress (Hilary Swank). A success all around!

MILLION DOLLAR BABY, director Clint Eastwood
MILLION DOLLAR BABY, director Clint Eastwood on set, 2004, (c) Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

RELATED: Clint Eastwood’s Father’s Death Made Him Completely Change His Diet

Next up: Ryan Seacrest Leaving ‘Live With Kelly And Ryan’ After Six Years
Previous article: Ryan Seacrest Leaving ‘Live With Kelly And Ryan’ After Six Years
Next Post: ‘The Boy In The Plastic Bubble’ Casting Director Claims Robert Reed Was Difficult To Work With

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