Young Mr. Eastwood
Clint goes shirtless before his big break
Chris Wild
1956
Clint Eastwood didn't want to be an actor. Even though he appeared in school plays, he said he had no interest in it at all.But acting was interested in him — or at least, in his appearance. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, Clint was stationed at California's Fort Ord. When a Universal Studios crew rolled up to use Fort Ord as a shooting location, they were struck by Eastwood's 6-foot-4 frame, his muscular body (he was the fort's lifeguard and swimming instructor) and obvious good looks.Universal set up a screen test with film producer and director Arthur Lubin. Lubin also liked Eastwood's looks, but not his acting ability, and arranged drama lessons. It was Lubin who gave Eastwood his first contract in 1954.His career started in 1955 with an uncredited minor role, and he carried on making several minor film and TV appearances into 1956 — when these photos were taken. Clint was 26.
Studios employed photographers to capture stars on set when filming, or at home relaxing and not in character. The pictures were sent out to publications promoting films and particular actors. They were also given to the actors to be autographed for fans, and were also used by casting departments selecting actors for a particular role.It wasn't for another two years, in 1958, that Eastwood got his first big break when he was picked to play the cowhand Rowdy Yates in the TV series Rawhide. He played the part until 1965 — a total of 216 episodes.
He was quite amateurish. He didn't know which way to turn or which way to go or do anything. - Arthur Lubin, film director
At that time I needed a mask rather than an actor, and Eastwood had only two facial expressions: one with the hat and one without it. - Sergio Leone, who directed Eastwood in the Dollars Trilogy
