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.