Over four decades, Clint Eastwood has become a Hollywood legend, with his success on both sides of the camera assuring him a place in cinema history. Born the son of a steel worker in 1930, Eastwood’s drive for success led him to his first break, in 1959, on the TV series Rawhide. Eastwood broke from television in 1964 with A Fistful of Dollars—his steely gaze and strong, silent screen presence made the film a surprise box-office smash. In 1971, his performance in Dirty Harry cemented his reputation as an electrifying talent, and he has since gone on to star in and direct some of the most memorable films in Hollywood history. Now, drawing on exclusive interviews with the star, Douglas Thompson gives us a definitive portrait.