Clint Eastwood is a prestigious name in the entertainment industry, who create a name for himself with his action and unique style in 50s and 60s movies. The actor has given numerous iconic movies including the classic Million Dollar Baby Trilogy, Dirty Harry, American Sniper, and more. He is also one of the most renowned directors in the industry. The star has always been very private and protective of his personal life. He once filed a lawsuit against a biographer for writing inappropriate content about him.
Clint Eastwood had filed a lawsuit worth $10 million, against an author who quoted him to be a wife abuser in his book about the legendary actor.
Clint Eastwood filed a $10M Lawsuit against an Author
The Bridges of Madison County actor had filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against a biographer after he wrote in his book that Eastwood abused his ex-wife. The lawsuit was settled when the author agreed to remove the allegations from his book. It was not revealed if the actor received any money as part of the settlement.
Eastwood filed the $10 million lawsuit in 2002 against Patrick McGilligan and publisher St. Martin’s Press. The book was named Clint: The Life and Legend and included allegations that the actor and director, decked his former wife, Maggie Eastwood.
“Clint Eastwood is not only an icon in the entertainment industry, but he is also a family man. He is entitled to have what is written about him be accurate and truthful.”
Author McGilligan’s source for the massive allegation later withdrew their statement. McGilligan and the publishers agreed to remove the offensive details from further printing of the book. Eastwood and McGilligan had signed a confidentiality agreement, hence the details of the case were not made public.
Patrick McGilligan’s comment on the allegation by Clint Eastwood
The book was available in Great Britain for several years but was published in the US that year. The case was filed, stating that the book was full of errors and it caused harm to Eastwood’s reputation.
Paul Sleven, the general counsel for St. Martin’s Press, said the publisher was sure the book was accurate. Author McGilligan has also written other biographies of famous people like James Cagney, Jack Nicholson, and Fritz Lang. He did not share too much in detail but said the book was honest and fair. He said,
“The book is fair and honest to the best of my ability.”
The suit states that the book falsely claimed veteran actor cold-c**ked and decked his first wife, Maggie Eastwood. Along with $10 million, the lawsuit also sought minor damages for affecting Eastwood’s reputation in the community and causing mortification and embarrassment.
Clint Eastwood’s personal life
93-year-old star Clint Eastwood had numerous relationships of short and long periods in his life. He got married to manufacturing secretary Margaret Neville Johnson in 1953 and had two kids, Kyle and Alison. But the pair divorced in 1984. Eastwood married for the second time in 1996 with news anchor Dina Ruiz. She gave birth to their daughter Morgan that same year. Ruiz and Eastwood separated in 2014.