Clint Eastwood Announces Retirement from Acting

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

23 Nov 2008 11:41 PM

His illustrious career in Hollywood has spanned more than a half-century, and according to 78-year-old movie legend Clint Eastwood, that's enough.

At least in regards to acting.

Just a few days ago the Tinseltown icon announced that he plans to retire from acting.

"You always want to quit while you are ahead," Eastwood told Britain's Sunday Express. "You don't want to be like a fighter who stays too long in the ring until you're not performing at your best."

Fortunately, there is some good news to report: Eastwood says by stepping away from acting projects he will have more time to work on directing films.

"I've got no plans to stop making films," the Oscar-winner told the paper.

Eastwood's last acting gig will be in Gran Torino, a drama about a racist veteran of the Korean War, which he just finished starring in and directing. Now that the shoot is over he says he is hanging his acting hat up for good.

What a journey it has been...

Eastwood shot to fame in Hollywood in the 1960s with roles in hit Western movies such as For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He made a name for himself as an actor when he starred in the 1971 classic Dirty Harry and four sequels as hard-edged police inspector Harry Callahan. Eastwood then tried his hand as a director and scored two Academy Awards for his work on Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby and he is still enjoying success today with this year's movie Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie. The film has won praise from critics and fans alike.

As much as he will be missed, at 78 years old Eastwood has outlasted more than a few Hollywood legends. I think the fact that he is still active in the film industry at nearly 80 years old is phenomenal.

How much will you miss seeing Eastwood on the big screen?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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