Clint Eastwood | Clint Eastwood’s life and career timeline | American Masters | PBS
Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Clint Eastwood’s life and career timeline

1930

Born Clinton Eastwood Jr., May 31st, 1930, to Ruth and Clinton Eastwood in San Francisco, California.

1930
1951

Drafted into the Army.

1951
1953

Marries Maggie Johnson in December after being discharged from the Army.

1953
1954

Universal Studios signs him to a 6 month contract.

1954
1959

Acts on the television series "Rawhide", which runs for 7 years.

1959
1964

Stars in "A Fistful of Dollars", directed by mentor Sergio Leone.

1964
1965

"For A Few Dollars More" is released, continuing Eastwood's role as The Man With No Name.

1965
1966

Finishes off Sergio Leone's western trilogy with the now legendary "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."

1966
1968

Forms Malpasso, his own production company. Stars in his first US feature, "Hang 'Em High."

1968
1969

Makes his first film with mentor Don Siegel, "Two Mules for Sister Sara"

1969
1970

Stars in "Kelly's Heroes" and "Two Mules For Sister Sara," both which open on the same night.

1970
1971

Directs his first film, "Play Misty For Me." Stars in "Dirty Harry"

1971
1972

His daughter, Alison, is born. President Nixon appoints him to the National Council on the Arts.

1972
1973

Directs and stars in "High Plains Drifter" Also stars in "Magnum Force" and directs "Breezy."

1973
1974

Named #1 box office attraction for the third year in a row.

1974
1975

Films "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and the third Dirty Harry installment, "The Enforcer."

1975
1976

Stars in the comedy "Every Which Way but Loose."

1976
1982

Stars in "Firefox" and "Honky Tonk Man" in the same year as he divorces his wife, Maggie.

1982
1983

Films "Sudden Impact," the fourth Dirty Harry film, which features the catch phrase, "Go ahead, make my day!"

1983
1985

Films "Pale Rider" in the same year as an "Amazing Stories" TV episode for Steven Spielberg.

1985
1986

Elected Mayor of Carmel, CA and releases "Heartbreak Ridge."

1986
1987

Films "The Dead Pool", the final Dirty Harry film. Directs the critically acclaimed "Bird."

1987
1992

"The Unforgiven," unarguably his masterpiece wins several Academy Awards, including Best Director.

1992
1995

Directs and co-stars in "The Bridges of Madison County."

1995
1996

Marries Dina Ruiz and, also, receives the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award.

1996
1997

Directs "Absolute Power" and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

1997
SHARE

© 2024 WNET. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.