These are the best roles and performances ever given by American actor Clint Eastwood, who started his career in TV, went on to become one of the screen's most iconic Western heroes and action stars, and eventually became an internationally recognized and lauded film director. Since his heydey in the 1960s and 70s, Eastwood has portrayed a variety of roles and demonstrated a lot of range, but he will likely forever be associated with the steely, stoic, tough guy parts that originally brought him fame.
Though in the later stages of his career, Eastwood primarily directed himself - in films like Gran Torino, Million Dollar Baby, Blood Work, and True Crime - he has also worked with many of the most esteemed and legendary filmmakers of the second half of the 20th century. The "spaghetti westerns" that rocketed him to international fame in the 1960s were the work of Italian master Sergio Leone. He collaborated with Don Siegel on five films in the 1960s and 70s, most famously the gritty cop film Dirty Harry, introducing a character that kicked off an long-standing franchise and became one of Eastwood's signature roles. Eastwood is also known for his roles in war movies (just check out our Clint Eastwood filmography for a full list of all his movies).
Eastwood's final major role in a film he did not himself direct was in Wolfgang Peterson's 1993 Secret Service thriller In the Line of Fire. He later appeared in a small cameo role in Brad Silberling's big-screen adaptation of Casper the Friendly Ghost, Casper.
Vote below for your favorite films starring Clint Eastwood. And if you think his best performance (outside a Chrysler ad) isn't represented, make your own version of the list and add it there yourself! But first, you just have to ask yourself one question... Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
Check out more lists like Top Clint Eastwood Characters, Greatest Movies Produced by Clint Eastwood, and Well-Known Movies Directed by Clint Eastwood.
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61192The Outlaw Josey Wales
Clint Eastwood, Sondra LockeReleased: 1976
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 American revisionist Western film. It was directed by and... more2
58986Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood, Morgan FreemanReleased: 1992
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Unforgiven is a 1992 American Western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with a... more3
724126The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Clint Eastwood, Eli WallachReleased: 1966
Directed by: Sergio Leone
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a 1966 Italian epic Spaghetti Western film directed by... more4
56787Dirty Harry
Clint Eastwood, Don SiegelReleased: 1971
Directed by: Don Siegel
Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action film produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in... more5
43361High Plains Drifter
Clint Eastwood, Geoffrey LewisReleased: 1973
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
High Plains Drifter is a 1973 American film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, written... more6
56790Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood, Dreama WalkerReleased: 2008
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also... more7
40666Pale Rider
Clint Eastwood, Chris PennReleased: 1985
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Pale Rider is a 1985 American western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also... more8
43075For a Few Dollars More
Clint Eastwood, Lee Van CleefReleased: 1965
Directed by: Sergio Leone
For a Few Dollars More is a 1965 Italian spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone and... more9
46687A Fistful of Dollars
Clint Eastwood, Gian Maria VolontéReleased: 1964
Directed by: Sergio Leone
A Fistful of Dollars, titled on-screen as Fistful of Dollars, is a 1964 spaghetti western film... more10
32172Escape from Alcatraz
Clint Eastwood, Danny GloverReleased: 1979
Directed by: Don Siegel
Escape from Alcatraz is a 1979 American prison film, directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint... more11
29755Hang 'Em High
Clint Eastwood, Dennis HopperReleased: 1968
Directed by: Ted Post
Hang 'Em High is a 1968 American Western film directed by Ted Post and produced and co-written... more12
28260Heartbreak Ridge
Clint Eastwood, Mario Van PeeblesReleased: 1986
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Heartbreak Ridge is a 1986 American film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also... more13
29271Kelly's Heroes
Clint Eastwood, Donald SutherlandReleased: 1970
Directed by: Brian G. Hutton
Kelly's Heroes is a 1970 comedy film directed by Brian G. Hutton, about a group of WWII... more14
31985Magnum Force
Clint Eastwood, Suzanne SomersReleased: 1973
Directed by: Ted Post
Magnum Force is a 1973 American action film and the second to feature Clint Eastwood as... more15
34093Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood, Morgan FreemanReleased: 2004
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced and scored by... more16
24951Two Mules for Sister Sara
Clint Eastwood, Shirley MacLaineReleased: 1970
Directed by: Don Siegel
Two Mules for Sister Sara is an American-Mexican western film starring Shirley MacLaine set... more17
28383In the Line of Fire
Clint Eastwood, John MalkovichReleased: 1993
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
In the Line of Fire is a 1993 American action thriller film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, and... more18
27278Every Which Way but Loose
Clint Eastwood, Beverly DAngeloReleased: 1978
Directed by: James Fargo
Every Which Way but Loose is a 1978 American adventure comedy film, released by Warner... more19
22453The Gauntlet
Clint Eastwood, Mara CordayReleased: 1977
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
The Gauntlet is a 1977 American action film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Eastwood and... more20
25775The Enforcer
Clint Eastwood, Tyne DalyReleased: 1976
Directed by: James Fargo
The Enforcer is a 1976 American action film and the third in the Dirty Harry film series.... more21
19839Sudden Impact
Clint Eastwood, Mara CordayReleased: 1983
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Sudden Impact is a 1983 American action film and the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series,... more22
24468Where Eagles Dare
Clint Eastwood, Richard BurtonReleased: 1968
Directed by: Brian G. Hutton
Where Eagles Dare is a 1968 WWII action film starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood and Mary... more23
20179The Dead Pool
Clint Eastwood, Jim CarreyReleased: 1988
Directed by: Buddy Van Horn
This film is a 1988 American action flim directed by Buddy Van Horn, written by Steve Sharon,... more24
19668Any Which Way You Can
Clint Eastwood, Glen CampbellReleased: 1980
Directed by: Buddy Van Horn
Any Which Way You Can is a 1980 American action comedy film, starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra... more25
18956Play Misty for Me
Clint Eastwood, Donna MillsReleased: 1971
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Play Misty for Me is a 1971 American psychological thriller film, directed by and starring... more
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