Clint Eastwood is a highly acclaimed American actor, director, producer as well as a screenwriter. Having a prolific career spanning several decades, the star has left an indelible mark on the world of Hollywood and continues to do so now.
Probably on track to do the very same, Tom Cruise is another Hollywood star, who has achieved great success in a short amount of time. Among the world’s highest-paid stars, Cruise has a huge fan following spread across the globe. Despite both Eastwood’s and Cruise’s success now, there was a time when they were fired from major film studios for ridiculous reasons.
Clint Eastwood Was Once Fired From Major Studios Over A Stupid Reason
Throughout his six-decade-long career, Clint Eastwood has collected countless accolades for his work in the film industry. Having won multiple awards including four Academy Awards, Eastwood is best known for his ability to portray complex themes in his movies as well as his versatility as an actor to effortlessly embody diverse characters.
As is with most actors, Clint Eastwood had a fairly humble beginning, starring in minor and unimportant roles. At that time the talented actor was under a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures, but unfortunately, the studio decided to end their contract early. But he wasn’t the only one, Burt Reynolds was too fired along with the Dirty Harry star.
In an interview, Reynold recalled the ridiculous reason Eastwood was fired for.
“They said you know you talk too slow. And your tooth is chipped and you won’t get it fixed. And you don’t listen to anybody, you just wanna do things your own way.”
As funny as the reason seems, Clint Eastwood eventually returned to Universal Pictures after he had proved himself and his abilities as an actor, and struck up millions of dollar worth of deal.
Tom Cruise Too Was Fired For Ridiculous Reason From A Major Film Studio
Tom Cruise and Paramount now do have a cordial relationship, but there was once a time when the film studio fired Crusie despite his Mission: Impossible fame. The studio was essentially disappointed over the Top Gun star’s failed box office performance with Mission: Impossible III, as well as his controversial behavior for promoting Scientology and being overly excited over his now-ex-wife Katie Holmes.
In a public statement issued to the press, Paramount announced the reason for ending their 14-year-long relationship with Tom Cruise,
“We don’t think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot […] His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount.”
Much like Clint Eastwood had done, Paramount all set to replace Tom Cruise with Jeremy Renner was left eating the humble pie as the fourth movie of the franchise Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol blew out of proportions, solidifying Cruise’s place as the main lead.
You can stream the Mission: Impossible franchise on Paramount+.