Clint Eastwood: A Biography

by Sara Anson Vaux Ph.D.

Overview

Clint Eastwood—actor, director, composer, musician, and politician—is undeniably one of the most prolific and accomplished celebrities of the modern age. This book provides insights into Eastwood's life and entire career, from early television appearances to recent award-winning films.

He established himself early in his acting career as "the strong silent type" and became known as the "actor's director." In a career that spans seven decades, Eastwood's work has been influential for multiple generations of film audiences as well as actors, directors, and producers. This biography investigates the man who made his characters' lines such as "Go ahead—make my day" and "Get off my lawn" unforgettable, and shows why his movie roles and the films he directed are honored, studied, quoted, and remembered.

The book describes everything from Eastwood's formative years and early days as a struggling actor to his family and personal life to his lifelong love of jazz music and his political leanings. The chapters describe not only his tremendous accomplishments and countless successes but also his notable failures—coverage that will intrigue readers interested in the film industry, in the acting craft, and in enduring popular cultural icons.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440829970
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/26/2014
Series:	Greenwood Biographies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	447,800
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Sara Anson Vaux, PhD, is lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies and director of the Office of Fellowships at Northwestern University.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Timeline: Events in the Life of Clint Eastwood xv

Chapter 1 Clint's Life Story: The Icon Takes Shape 1

Chapter 2 Clint: From Rawhide to the Spaghetti Westerns 17

Chapter 3 Clint Takes Charge: Malpaso 31

Chapter 4 The Icon and His Legend, Continued: The Outlaw Josey Wales 45

Chapter 5 Clint Eastwood: Superstar 57

Chapter 6 Jazz, Not Violence: Bird 73

Chapter 7 An American Classic: Unforgiven 85

Chapter 8 The Poetry of Suffering: From A Perfect World to Mystic River 103

Chapter 9 The Dignity of Life: Million Dollar Baby 123

Chapter 10 The War Cycle: Flags of our Fathers; Letters From Iwo Jima; Gran Torino 141

Chapter 11 The Weak Shall Be Strong: Invictus; Changeling 161

Chapter 12 Hereafter; J. Edgar; and Jersey Boys 173

Glossary 179

Select Bibliography 187

Index 191

Editorial Reviews

Greenwood Press's latest addition to its biography series is an interesting addition for school and public libraries. Vaux has written an appealing and highly readable biography of one of the greatest, most well-rounded actors and directors of the twentieth century, Clint Eastwood. . . . This is a well done biography appropriate for students and general readers.” —ARBA

From the Publisher