Clinton Eastwood Jr. was born on May 31, 1930, in San Francisco, California, to Clinton Eastwood Sr. and Ruth Wood. He grew up in nearby Piedmont and developed an interest in music and mechanics, but struggled in school, being held back a grade. After graduating from high school in 1949, Eastwood's parents moved to Seattle, and he spent time working as a lifeguard and operating log broncs in Oregon.
Eastwood's acting career began in the mid-1950s with uncredited roles in B-films. He landed his first significant role in the TV series Rawhide in 1958 and became a series regular after Eric Fleming's departure. Eastwood's breakthrough in film came with Sergio Leone's spaghetti western trilogy, which included A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
In the 1970s, Eastwood established himself as a leading man in films such as Hang 'Em High, Coogan's Bluff, and Where Eagles Dare. He also began to take on directing roles, including the erotic thriller Play Misty for Me and the action film Dirty Harry. The latter catapulted him to cultural icon status and helped popularize the loose-cannon cop genre.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Eastwood continued to act and direct, with notable films including Any Which Way You Can, Bronco Billy, and Unforgiven, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination and win. He also directed Bird, a biopic of Charlie Parker, and White Hunter Black Heart, a biopic of John Huston.
In the 2000s, Eastwood experienced a resurgence in his career with films such as Million Dollar Baby, which won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He also directed Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Changeling, among other films.
Eastwood has been married twice and has at least eight children with at least six different women. He has been known for his private nature and has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye. Despite this, he has been open about his views on politics and has been a vocal supporter of conservative causes.
Eastwood has also been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the area of veterans' affairs. He has been involved with various charitable organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project and the USO.
