A new biography, Clint: The Man and The Movies by Shawn Levy, delves into the intricate and often controversial romantic history of legendary actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood. The book, released on July 1, gathers candid quotes from Eastwood himself and those close to him, detailing both his two marriages and numerous other relationships.
Eastwood, now 95, is known to have fathered eight children with six different women. The biography provides an unvarnished account of Eastwood’s personal life, portraying a man who frequently disregarded traditional marital expectations in favor of personal freedom and independence.
Eastwood’s first marriage to Maggie Johnson, which spanned over three decades (1953–1984), was marked by frequent infidelities. According to Levy, Eastwood lived much like a bachelor even during his marriage. Johnson was reportedly aware of his extramarital behavior, and Eastwood made little effort to hide it.
In a 1963 interview, he bluntly stated that she had to accept his lifestyle or the marriage wouldn’t last. Friends of the couple, including Fritz Manes, revealed that Johnson occasionally questioned Eastwood’s fidelity but ultimately chose to ignore or dismiss the truth to preserve their relationship.
Clint Eastwood’s Affairs Often Led To Children And Deeply Complicated Romantic Entanglements
Throughout his marriage to Johnson, Eastwood fathered children with other women, including stuntwoman Roxanne Tunis, with whom he had a daughter in 1964. While it remains unclear whether Johnson knew about all of Eastwood’s affairs, the biography suggests she chose not to confront or dwell on them.
His relationships ranged from fleeting affairs to more serious, long-term partnerships, many of which also led to children. Eastwood himself admitted that his affairs had become something of an addiction, comparing them to smoking cigarettes—difficult to quit and recurring.
New Clint Eastwood Biography Reveals Decades of Affairs, Secret Children, and Complex RelationshipsOne of Eastwood’s most well-known and tumultuous relationships was with actress Sondra Locke, which began during the filming of The Outlaw Josey Wales in 1975. Locke alleged that Eastwood told her his marriage to Johnson was over when they became involved. Their relationship lasted until 1989 and ended with significant public conflict.
Locke claimed in her autobiography that she underwent two abortions and a tubal ligation because Eastwood said he didn’t want more children—allegations he denied. The biography recounts these allegations while also touching on Eastwood’s pattern of secrecy and control in his personal life.
Hollywood Legend Clint Eastwood Pursued Women Across Studios Classrooms Neighborhoods And Celebrity Circles
The book also paints Eastwood as a charismatic and relentless womanizer, recounting numerous instances of him pursuing women on studio lots, in acting classes, and even in his own apartment complex. One particularly candid anecdote involves a night out with jazz musician Miles Davis, where they reportedly sought out women together.
Former classmate and actress Mamie Van Doren noted Eastwood’s bold and direct approach, saying he “always knew the most straight and direct path to my dressing room.” These stories collectively illustrate Eastwood’s longstanding reputation for charm and seduction, often at the expense of his committed relationships.
Despite—or perhaps because of—his complicated romantic history, Eastwood’s life remains a subject of fascination. Levy’s biography offers a window into the deeply personal side of a man often seen as a stoic cinematic icon.
While Eastwood has not yet commented on the book, it contributes to an ongoing public re-evaluation of the star’s life beyond the screen. Clint: The Man and The Movies does not shy away from the darker or more controversial aspects of Eastwood’s past, offering a candid and unfiltered portrait of a Hollywood legend whose off-screen life was as dramatic as any of his roles.