Biography of Clint Eastwood

Coldness of class

May 31, 1930
Western film legend and one of the most prolific American filmmakers of the last century, Clint Eastwood was born in San Francisco on May 31, 1930. In 1954, 24 years old, you have two opportunities: study commercial sciences or pursue acting. Thanks to David Janssen and Martin Miller, two friends actors, he says, without being too convinced, auditioned for the Universal. The production company puts him under contract for $ 75 a week for 10 months. His career however did not an easy start, appears in a series of B-Movies, where not even accredited. Success comes with the show of western "Rawhide," which incidentally is chosen randomly: had gone to visit a friend in the studios of CBS, and one of the directors of the company, seeing him, said it was perfect for the role. In the mid-' 60 begins the partnership with Sergio Leone, Italian western film master. Partnership that will last for years and that will yield both international fame.
"A fistful of dollars", "for a few dollars more" and "the good, the bad and the ugly" were in fact an unexpected success, largely thanks to the filmmaker's style in describing the world, but also to the protagonist himself, in cold and ruthless, part cowboy role that seemed to have been stitched on body A curiosity: it seems that the famous poncho that Eastwood wears in the trilogy of Leo has never been washed for luck until the end of the third film. At the end of the years ' 60 u.s. bases its production company, Malpaso Company, abandons the character of the lone gunman to dress those COP from temperamental and en route with superiors, Dirty Harry, also called "Harry the Bastard" (Dirty Harry in the original language). The series of Callahan will consist of 5 films, not all up to the first one, "Dirty Harry, Scorpio is yours" (1971) directed by Don Siegel, where the interpretation that Clint Eastwood character gives us is magnificent.
The film was also accused of enhancing mishaps censorship because the "fascismo quotidiano" who does justice alone (after completing the mission despite the bureaucratic obstacles and the ostracism of superiors, Harry throws the police badge). With the same Director Eastwood will establish a close relationship of friendship and mutual respect. The same Siegel will direct him in "escape from Alcatraz" (1978), became a real classic prison film. In the years ' 70 begins to work behind the camera, which earned him the true consecration to the Olympus of cinema. His directorial debut dates back to 1971, with "Shiver in the night", ne suguiranno other, not all important. In the years ' 80 is also dedicated to politics, becoming mayor of Carmel by the Sea, where he himself lives.
In 1988 he directed "Bird", history of black jazz musician Charlie Parker, critically acclaimed film but opposed by blacks (including Spike Lee), who have accused him of seizing of a culture that is not hers. In the years ' 90 Center a success after another: in 1992 directing "Unforgiven" (with Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman), western movie twilight and far from stereotypical myths about the American West. Vince also (finally) the coveted statuette for best picture, having also been nominated for the best actor. In 1993 he directs a magnificent Kevin Costner in "a perfect world", poignant story of a man who, after escaping and kidnapping a child, launches into a frantic escape as much as vain. With this film Clint Eastwood stands as one of the most sensitive and ethical in American filmmakers. Continue directing big movies, like "the bridges of Madison County" (1995, with Meryl Streep), "absolute power" (1996, with Gene Hackman), "midnight in the garden of good and evil" (1997, with Jude Law and Kevin Spacey), "until proven otherwise" (1999, with James Woods), "Space Cowboys" (2000, with Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland) and "blood work" (2002).
In 2003 a new masterpiece, "Mystic River" (with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon), tragic story of friendship of three men, marred by the violent death of the daughter of one of them. Father of five children, in 1996 marries his second wife, the tv anchorwoman Dina Ruiz. Between the first and second marriage, for eleven years, he lives with his partner, the actress Sondra Locke. Clint Eastwood has thus established himself as a Director of great value, ready to address issues always hard, and always with a rigor and unique intelligence that make it popular both at home and in Europe, where, among other things, his movies always have a special award at the Venice Film Festival, where in 2000 he was awarded the Lion for lifetime achievement. After fifty years of career and sixty films, the actor and Director has arrived to an artistic maturity that justifies its status as a Hollywood icon.
With his work "Million Dollar Baby," Clint Eastwood tore in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" the scepter of best director and best film Oscars 2005. Among his last works are "Flags of our Fathers" (2006), "letters from Iwo Jima" (2007), "Gran Torino" (2008). In 2009 (in the annual Harris Poll survey) has been voted the favorite actor of the year, ahead of Denzel Washington from the top of the leaderboard. In 2010 comes out in theaters "Invictus", inspired by the life of Nelson Mandela (with Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, Captain of the South African rugby union) and based on the book "Playing The Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation" (by John Carlin).
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.