Childhood and Education Journey of Clint Eastwood in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Clint Eastwood. A timeline of key moments.

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

1906: Birth of Clinton Eastwood Sr.

In 1906, Clinton Eastwood Sr., Clint Eastwood's father, was born.

1909: Birth of Ruth (Margret Runner)

In 1909, Ruth (née Margret Runner), Clint Eastwood's mother, was born.

1913: Birth of John Belden Wood

In 1913, John Belden Wood, Clint Eastwood's stepfather, was born.

May 31, 1930: Birth of Clint Eastwood

On May 31, 1930, Clint Eastwood was born at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco.

1934: Birth of Jeanne Bernhardt

In 1934, Jeanne Bernhardt, Clint Eastwood's younger sister, was born.

1940: No Relocation Between 1940 and 1949

Despite some media claims, the Eastwood family did not move between 1940 and 1949, settling in Piedmont, California.

January 1945: Attendance at Piedmont High School

From January 1945, Clint Eastwood attended Piedmont High School.

January 1946: Continued Attendance at Piedmont High School

Until at least January 1946, Clint Eastwood attended Piedmont High School, before being asked to leave.

February 2, 1949: Graduation from Oakland Technical High School

On February 2, 1949, Clint Eastwood graduated from Oakland Technical High School.

1949: No Relocation Between 1940 and 1949

Despite some media claims, the Eastwood family did not move between 1940 and 1949, settling in Piedmont, California.

1951: Drafted into the United States Army

In 1951, Clint Eastwood was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War instead of enrolling at Seattle University.

February 1953: Discharge from the Army

In February 1953, Clint Eastwood was discharged from the United States Army.

December 1953: Marriage to Margaret Neville Johnson

In December 1953, Eastwood married Margaret Neville Johnson.

1953: Release of 'Shane'

In 1953, the classic western film 'Shane' was released, which served as an inspiration for Clint Eastwood's 1985 film 'Pale Rider'.

1954: Birth of Daughter Laurie

In 1954, Eastwood's daughter Laurie was born and subsequently adopted by Clyde and Helen Warren.

August 1959: Eastwood Featured in TV Guide

In the August 1959 edition of TV Guide, Eastwood was photographed doing push-ups and gave fitness tips.

1962: Escape from Alcatraz

In 1962, Frank Lee Morris, along with John and Clarence Anglin, escaped from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, a true story that inspired the 1979 film 'Escape from Alcatraz' starring Clint Eastwood.

1964: Birth of Kimber Tunis

In 1964, Eastwood and Roxanne Tunis's daughter, Kimber, was born.

December 24, 1967: Purchase of Land Near Carmel Highlands

On December 24, 1967, Eastwood bought five parcels of land totaling 283 acres near Malpaso Creek, south of the Carmel Highlands.

May 1968: Land Purchase in Carmel Valley

In May 1968, Clint Eastwood and James Garner bought 340 acres of wooded land in Carmel Valley for $640,000.

1968: Birth of Kyle Eastwood

In 1968, Eastwood's son, Kyle, was born to Margaret Neville Johnson.

1970: Death of Eastwood's Father

In 1970, Eastwood's father died of a heart attack at the age of 64.

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: Birth of Alison Eastwood

In 1972, Eastwood's daughter, Alison, was born to Margaret Neville Johnson.

1973: Eastwood's Statement on Religion

In 1973, Eastwood stated to the film critic Gene Siskel, "No, I don't believe in God".

1975: Public Proclamation of Transcendental Meditation

In 1975, Eastwood publicly proclaimed his participation in Transcendental Meditation on The Merv Griffin Show.

1975: Publication of Cry Macho Novel

In 1975, the novel "Cry Macho", which the film is based on, was originally published.

1977: Publication of 'Firefox' novel

In 1977, Craig Thomas published the novel 'Firefox', which later became the basis for the 1982 film of the same name starring Clint Eastwood.

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: US Invasion of Grenada

In 1983, the United States invasion of Grenada took place, an event depicted in the 1986 film 'Heartbreak Ridge' starring Clint Eastwood.

1984: "Go ahead, make my day" quoted by President Ronald Reagan

In 1984, Clint Eastwood's line "Go ahead, make my day" from the 1983 film 'Sudden Impact' was quoted by President Ronald Reagan in a speech to Congress.

1984: Divorce from Margaret Neville Johnson

In 1984, Eastwood divorced Margaret Neville Johnson.

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: 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.

1986: Birth of Scott Eastwood

In 1986, Scott Eastwood, son of Eastwood and Jacelyn Reeves, was born.

1988: Birth of Kathryn Eastwood

In 1988, Kathryn Eastwood, daughter of Eastwood and Jacelyn Reeves, was born.

1993: Birth of Francesca Eastwood

In 1993, Francesca Eastwood, daughter of Eastwood and Frances Fisher, was born.

1994: Flooding of Mission Ranch

In 1994, the Mission Ranch resort and the Mission Fields residential neighborhood were flooded. Clint Eastwood paid to lower the levees along the southern side of the Carmel River to protect his resort.

1995: Sale of Malpaso Land and Purchase of Odello Ranch

In 1995, Monterey County bought the Malpaso land from Clint Eastwood for $3.08 million. Using the proceeds, Eastwood bought the 134 acres Odello Ranch the same year.

1996: Marriage to Dina Ruiz and Birth of Morgan Eastwood

In 1996, Eastwood married Dina Ruiz, and their daughter Morgan was born.

1996: Olympic Bombing

In 1996, the Olympic bombing occurred and Richard Jewell was wrongly suspected of being involved.

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.