Happy Birthday, Clint Eastwood!

Zoomer | May 31st, 2012

By Travis Persaud

Clint Eastwood’s remarkable career has surpassed the 50-year mark. While he’s cemented himself as an incredible actor, he’s amassed even more praise as a director — often directing films in which he stars. This has led to numerous award nominations and wins. With Clint turning 82 today, we take a very brief look at some of his career highlights.

Eastwood’s first breakout role came on the TV series Rawhide– a Western set in the 1860s that followed the men of a cattle drive.

Fistful of Dollars (1964) This is the first film in the Dollars Trilogy, and Eastwood’s first film with director Sergio Leone who was relatively unknown at the time. These are perhaps some of the more famous “Spaghetti Western” films, with A Few More Dollars and The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly rounding out the trilogy.

Unforgiven (1992) Hailed as one of the greatest Western films of all time. Eastwood directed and produced it, winning an Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture.

Million Dollar Baby (2004) After decades of starring in Western and action films, Eastwood begins to add greater diversify to his resumé. He stars, directs, produces and scores this film about a boxing trainer (himself) who helps a female boxer (Hilary Swank). It went on to capture four Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Gran Torino (2008) Eastwood says this is the last film he will ever star in. If that’s the case, he went out on a high note. Although far from a Western (the story follows a Korean War veteran who befriends two of his neighbours), Eastwood’s character has shades of Dirty Harry and the Man With No Name from his Dollar Trilogy days. It did not win any major awards, but was critically and commercially acclaimed.