Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Clint Eastwood

How Clint Eastwood built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Clint Eastwood is an American actor and film director renowned for his roles in Westerns like the Dollars Trilogy and as Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry films, solidifying his status as a cultural icon of masculinity. He gained initial fame in the TV series Rawhide. Beyond acting, Eastwood also served as the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, for two years after being elected in 1986.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 1954: Initial Contract

In April 1954, Arthur Lubin arranged for Clint Eastwood's initial contract at $100 per week.

May 1954: Audition for Six Bridges to Cross

In May 1954, Clint Eastwood made his first real audition for Six Bridges to Cross, but was rejected by Joseph Pevney.

September 1954: Lady Godiva of Coventry

In September 1954, Clint Eastwood worked for three weeks on Arthur Lubin's Lady Godiva of Coventry.

February 1955: Francis in the Navy

In February 1955, Clint Eastwood won a role playing "Jonesy", a sailor in Francis in the Navy.

May 1955: Never Say Goodbye

In May 1955, Clint Eastwood spent four hours working on the film Never Say Goodbye.

July 2, 1955: Television Role on Allen in Movieland

On July 2, 1955, Clint Eastwood made his first television appearance on NBC's Allen in Movieland, starring Steve Allen, Tony Curtis, and Benny Goodman.

August 1955: Law Man

In August 1955, Clint Eastwood had a minor uncredited role as a ranch hand in Law Man (also known as Star in the Dust), marking his first western film.

October 23, 1955: Contract Termination

On October 23, 1955, Universal terminated Clint Eastwood's contract despite his continued development as an actor.

1956: Roles in Various Productions

In 1956, Clint Eastwood landed small roles as an army officer for a segment of ABC's Reader's Digest series and as a motorcycle gang member on a Highway Patrol episode. He also switched to the Kumin-Olenick Agency that year.

1957: Roles in West Point series and Death Valley Days

In 1957, Clint Eastwood played a cadet in the West Point series and a suicidal gold prospector on Death Valley Days. He also switched agencies to Mitchell Gertz.

1958: Cast as Rowdy Yates in Rawhide

In 1958, Clint Eastwood was cast as Rowdy Yates in the CBS western series Rawhide, a career breakthrough he had sought.

1958: Navy Log, Lafayette Escadrille and Ambush at Cimarron Pass

In 1958, Eastwood played a Navy lieutenant in a segment of Navy Log, had a small part as an aviator in Lafayette Escadrille, and played a major role in Ambush at Cimarron Pass.

1959: Guest appearance on Maverick

In early 1959, Eastwood made a notable guest appearance as Red Hardigan on Maverick.

1959: Release of Cowboy Favorites

In late 1959, Eastwood produced the album "Cowboy Favorites", released on the Cameo label, which included classics such as "San Antonio Rose" and "Don't Fence Me In".

1959: Rawhide Years Begin

The Rawhide years (1959–65) were some of the most grueling of Eastwood's career, often filming six days a week for an average of 12 hours a day.

October 1960: Rawhide Peak in TV Ratings

From October 1960 to April 1961, Rawhide peaked at number six in the TV ratings, marking a major success for the series.

April 1961: Rawhide Peak in TV Ratings

From October 1960 to April 1961, Rawhide peaked at number six in the TV ratings, marking a major success for the series.

1962: Touring Rodeos and Festivals

In 1962, Eastwood and Paul Brinegar toured rodeos, state fairs, and festivals, earning up to $15,000 a performance.

1963: Rawhide decline in ratings

By late 1963, Rawhide was beginning to decline in the ratings and lacked freshness in the scripts.

1963: Offer to star in A Fistful of Dollars

In late 1963, Eric Fleming rejected an offer to star in A Fistful of Dollars, leading to Richard Harrison suggesting Clint Eastwood for the role.

1964: Starring in A Fistful of Dollars

In 1964, Clint Eastwood starred in A Fistful of Dollars, filmed in Spain by Sergio Leone, marking a significant step in his career.

1965: For a Few Dollars More

In 1965, Clint Eastwood starred in For a Few Dollars More, the second film of the Dollars Trilogy.

1965: Rawhide cancellation

In 1965, Rawhide was canceled in the middle of the 1965–66 season.

January 1966: Agreed to star in The Witches

In January 1966, Clint Eastwood met producer Dino De Laurentiis and agreed to star in The Witches.

1966: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

In 1966, rights to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the final film of the Dollars Trilogy, were sold to United Artists.

November 1967: Filming of Coogan's Bluff begins

In November 1967, before the script was finalized, Clint Eastwood began filming "Coogan's Bluff", about an Arizona deputy sheriff tracking a criminal in New York City.

1967: US Release of A Fistful of Dollars

In 1967, A Fistful of Dollars was released in the United States on January 18, followed by For a Few Dollars More on May 10, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on December 29.

1967: Release of The Witches

In 1967, The Witches (Le Streghe) was released, featuring Clint Eastwood in a 19-minute installment, which received poor reviews.

1967: Malpaso Productions produced American films

Since 1967, Eastwood's company Malpaso Productions has produced all but four of his American films.

1968: Uncredited Producer

In 1968, Clint Eastwood functioned as an uncredited producer on all of his Malpaso Company films since "Hang 'Em High".

1968: Release of Coogan's Bluff

In 1968, Clint Eastwood starred in "Coogan's Bluff", about an Arizona deputy sheriff tracking a wanted psychopathic criminal through New York City. He was reunited with Universal Studios for it after receiving an offer of $1 million

1968: Releases of Hang 'Em High and Where Eagles Dare

In 1968, Clint Eastwood starred in the Western film Hang 'Em High and the action-war film Where Eagles Dare, both released in that year.

1968: Eastwood stars in Where Eagles Dare

In 1968, Clint Eastwood starred in the war epic "Where Eagles Dare", where he played Richard Burton's right-hand man in a World War II squad parachuting into a Gestapo stronghold in the Alps.

1968: Eastwood Ranked on Quigley's Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll

In 1968, Eastwood became a major film star being ranked for the first time on Quigley's Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll in fifth place.

1969: Eastwood stars in Paint Your Wagon

In 1969, Clint Eastwood starred in the musical "Paint Your Wagon" alongside Lee Marvin, playing gold miners who buy a Mormon settler's wife.

September 1970: Filming commences for Play Misty for Me

In September 1970, filming began in Monterey for "Play Misty for Me", which marked Clint Eastwood's directorial debut, with footage included from that year's Monterey Jazz Festival.

1970: Eastwood stars in Two Mules for Sister Sara and Kelly's Heroes

In 1970, Clint Eastwood starred in "Two Mules for Sister Sara" with Shirley MacLaine and "Kelly's Heroes" with Donald Sutherland and Telly Savalas.

1970: Eastwood Begins Directing

In 1970, Eastwood began directing, consciously attempting to avoid aspects of directing he disliked as an actor.

December 1971: Release of Dirty Harry

In December 1971, "Dirty Harry" was released, starring Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan, a hard-edged police inspector. The film earned $22 million in the United States and Canada and was the start of a series of films featuring the character Harry Callahan.

1971: Eastwood stars in The Beguiled

In 1971, Clint Eastwood starred in "The Beguiled", directed by Don Siegel, about a wounded Union soldier held captive by a Southern girls' school matron.

1971: Directorial Debut

In 1971, Clint Eastwood started directing films.

1971: Release of Play Misty for Me

In 1971, Clint Eastwood's directorial debut "Play Misty for Me" was released to critical acclaim. The film is about a jazz DJ stalked by an obsessive fan.

1971: Opening of Hog's Breath Inn

In 1971, Eastwood opened the Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

1972: Publication of 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' Novel

In 1972, Asa Carter's novel 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' was published, which later inspired the 1976 film of the same name starring Clint Eastwood.

1972: Eastwood stars in Joe Kidd

In 1972, Clint Eastwood starred in "Joe Kidd", a western inspired by Reies Lopez Tijerina, who stormed a courthouse in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, in June 1967.

1973: Eastwood directs Breezy

In 1973, Clint Eastwood directed "Breezy", a film about a love story between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl. During casting for the film Eastwood met Sondra Locke for the first time.

1973: Release of 'High Plains Drifter'

In 1973, Clint Eastwood released 'High Plains Drifter', which shares thematic similarities with his 1985 film 'Pale Rider'.

1973: Eastwood reprises role in Magnum Force

In 1973, Clint Eastwood reprised his role as Harry Callahan in "Magnum Force", a sequel to "Dirty Harry".

1974: Eastwood stars in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

In 1974, Clint Eastwood teamed up with Jeff Bridges and George Kennedy in the buddy action caper "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot", about a veteran bank robber and a young con man drifter.

May 1975: Release of The Eiger Sanction

In May 1975, "The Eiger Sanction", starring Clint Eastwood as Jonathan Hemlock, was released. The film received mixed reviews.

October 1975: Firing of Philip Kaufman from 'The Outlaw Josey Wales'

In October 1975, Philip Kaufman was fired from directing 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' under Clint Eastwood's command, resulting in a fine from the Directors Guild of America and subsequent legislation changes.

1976: Release of 'The Outlaw Josey Wales'

In 1976, 'The Outlaw Josey Wales', directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, was released and widely acclaimed, with Eastwood's role seen as iconic.

1976: Release of 'The Enforcer'

In 1976, Clint Eastwood released 'The Enforcer,' the third Dirty Harry film, which became his highest-grossing film to date.

1977: Release of 'The Gauntlet'

In 1977, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in 'The Gauntlet', a film which received mixed reviews despite being a moderate hit.

1978: Release of 'Every Which Way but Loose'

In 1978, 'Every Which Way but Loose', starring Clint Eastwood, was released and became his most commercially successful film up to that time, despite being panned by critics.

October 1, 1979: Filming Commences for Bronco Billy

On October 1, 1979, filming commenced for Bronco Billy starring Clint Eastwood in the Boise metropolitan area.

1979: Release of 'Escape from Alcatraz'

In 1979, 'Escape from Alcatraz', starring Clint Eastwood and directed by Don Siegel, was released to major success and critical acclaim.

1980: Release of Bronco Billy and Any Which Way You Can

In 1980, Clint Eastwood released both 'Bronco Billy' and 'Any Which Way You Can', with the latter being a major box office success.

1980: Release of Any Which Way You Can

In 1980, Clint Eastwood starred in Any Which Way You Can, the action comedy sequel to Every Which Way but Loose.

1982: Debut as Producer

In 1982, Clint Eastwood made his debut as a producer with the film "Firefox".

1982: Release of 'Honkytonk Man' and 'Firefox'

In 1982, Clint Eastwood released both 'Honkytonk Man' and 'Firefox'. 'Honkytonk Man' received mixed reviews, while 'Firefox' was Eastwood's highest budget film at the time.

November 1983: Land Donation for Senior Housing

In November 1983, Clint Eastwood and James Garner donated undeveloped land to the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey, stipulating its use for senior housing.

1983: Release of 'Sudden Impact'

In 1983, Clint Eastwood released 'Sudden Impact,' the fourth Dirty Harry film, which was commercially successful and received positive reviews.

1984: Release of 'Tightrope' and 'City Heat'

In 1984, Clint Eastwood starred in both 'Tightrope' and 'City Heat'. 'Tightrope' was a critical and commercial hit, while 'City Heat' was overshadowed by other films.

1985: Eastwood Directs "Vanessa in the Garden" and Releases "Pale Rider"

In 1985, Clint Eastwood directed his only TV episode, "Vanessa in the Garden", and released "Pale Rider", a film based on the classic Western Shane.

1985: Release of Pale Rider

In 1985, Clint Eastwood starred in the popular Western film Pale Rider, released that year.

April 1986: Eastwood Elected Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea

In April 1986, Eastwood was elected as the nonpartisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

1986: Release of 'Heartbreak Ridge'

In 1986, Clint Eastwood released 'Heartbreak Ridge', a military drama about the United States invasion of Grenada. Production was marred by disagreements.

1986: Elected as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea

In 1986, Eastwood was elected as the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. He served in this position for two years.

1988: Release of 'The Dead Pool'

In 1988, 'The Dead Pool', the fifth and final film in the Dirty Harry series starring Clint Eastwood, was released.

1989: Release of 'Pink Cadillac'

In 1989, Clint Eastwood released 'Pink Cadillac', which was poorly received critically and commercially, marking a low point in his career.

1989: Filming of White Hunter Black Heart

In the Summer of 1989, Clint Eastwood filmed 'White Hunter Black Heart' on location in Zimbabwe.

1990: Release of 'White Hunter Black Heart' and 'The Rookie'

In December 1990, Clint Eastwood released 'The Rookie', a buddy cop action film. Also in 1990, Eastwood released 'White Hunter Black Heart' which received limited attention.

1991: No Eastwood films shown in cinemas

In 1991, due to an ongoing lawsuit, no Clint Eastwood films were shown in cinemas.

1992: Career Lull Ends

Between 1988 and 1992, Clint Eastwood experienced a lull in his career before returning to prominence.

1992: Release of Unforgiven

In 1992, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in "Unforgiven", a Western film where he played an aging ex-gunfighter. The film was a major critical and commercial success, and was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning four, including Best Picture and Best Director for Eastwood.

1992: Eastwood Wins Best Director and Best Picture for Unforgiven

In 1992, Clint Eastwood won the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture for his Western film Unforgiven.

1993: Acting and Directing Roles

In 1993, Clint Eastwood starred in "In the Line of Fire" as Frank Horrigan, a guilt-ridden Secret Service agent. Also in 1993, he directed and co-starred in "A Perfect World", playing a Texas Ranger.

1993: Release of In the Line of Fire

In 1993, Clint Eastwood starred in the action film In the Line of Fire, released that year.

1995: Release of The Bridges of Madison County

In 1995, Clint Eastwood starred in the romantic drama The Bridges of Madison County, released that year.

1996: Release of Eastwood After Hours – Live at Carnegie Hall

In 1996, Malpaso Records released the album of a jazz concert hosted by Eastwood, titled "Eastwood after Hours – Live at Carnegie Hall".

1997: Donation of Odello Ranch Property

In 1997, Clint Eastwood and his former wife Maggie Johnson, acting as the Eastwood Trust, donated 49 acres of the Odello Ranch property to the Big Sur Land Trust.

1997: Directing Roles in "Absolute Power" and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"

In 1997, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in "Absolute Power", a political thriller. Later in 1997, he directed "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".

1999: Directing and Starring in True Crime

In 1999, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in "True Crime", playing a journalist covering the execution of a murderer.

1999: "Why Should I Care" Recorded by Diana Krall

In 1999, Diana Krall recorded "Why Should I Care", a song co-written by Eastwood with Linda Thompson and Carole Bayer Sager.

2000: Directing and Starring in Space Cowboys

In 2000, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in "Space Cowboys", playing a veteran ex-test pilot sent into space.

2001: Appointment to California State Park and Recreation Commission

In 2001, Governor Gray Davis appointed Eastwood to the California State Park and Recreation Commission.

2002: Directing and Starring in Blood Work

In 2002, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the thriller "Blood Work", playing an ex-FBI agent.

2003: Directing and Scoring Mystic River

In 2003, Clint Eastwood directed and scored the crime drama "Mystic River", which received critical acclaim and several Academy Award nominations for Eastwood.

2003: Mystic River

In 2003, Eastwood directed the mystery drama Mystic River, in which he did not appear.

2004: Eastwood Wins Best Director and Best Picture for Million Dollar Baby

In 2004, Clint Eastwood won the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture for his sports drama Million Dollar Baby.

2006: Release of Two World War II Films

In 2006, Clint Eastwood directed two films about the Battle of Iwo Jima: "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Letters from Iwo Jima". Both films received critical praise and garnered several award nominations.

2006: Letters from Iwo Jima

In 2006, Eastwood directed the war film Letters from Iwo Jima, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his work.

2008: Directing Changeling

In 2008, Clint Eastwood directed "Changeling", a film based on a true story set in the late 1920s. The film was highly acclaimed and earned Eastwood several award nominations.

2008: Starring in Gran Torino

In 2008, Clint Eastwood starred in "Gran Torino", which he also directed, produced, and partly scored. The film became the highest-grossing film of Eastwood's career.

January 2009: Gran Torino Opening Weekend

In January 2009, "Gran Torino" grossed almost $30 million during its opening weekend, the highest of Clint Eastwood's career as an actor or director.

2009: Directing Invictus

In 2009, Clint Eastwood directed "Invictus", a film based on the story of the South African team at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Eastwood was nominated for Best Director at the 67th Golden Globe Awards for the film.

September 12, 2010: Hereafter World Premiere

On September 12, 2010, Clint Eastwood's film "Hereafter" had its world premiere at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.

2011: Directing J. Edgar

In 2011, Clint Eastwood directed "J. Edgar", a biopic of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

2012: Starring in Trouble with the Curve

In 2012, Clint Eastwood starred in the baseball drama "Trouble with the Curve", playing a veteran baseball scout.

December 25, 2014: American Sniper Release

On December 25, 2014, Clint Eastwood's film "American Sniper" was released.

2014: American Sniper

In 2014, Eastwood directed the biographical film American Sniper.

2014: Initial Richard Jewell Plans

In 2014, Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio were originally set to star in the film Richard Jewell, which Paul Greengrass was set to direct.

June 28, 2016: Donation of Remaining Odello East Land

On June 28, 2016, Clint Eastwood donated the remaining Odello East land.

September 2016: Release of Sully

In September 2016, Clint Eastwood's film "Sully", starring Tom Hanks, was released in the United States.

2016: Sully

In 2016, Eastwood directed the biographical film Sully.

December 2018: Release of The Mule

In December 2018, Clint Eastwood starred in and directed "The Mule", his first acting role since 2012.

2018: Release of The Mule

In 2018, Clint Eastwood starred in The Mule, released that year.

May 2019: Eastwood to Direct The Ballad of Richard Jewell

In May 2019, it was announced that Eastwood would direct "The Ballad of Richard Jewell", later retitled "Richard Jewell", based on the life of Richard Jewell.