Clint Eastwood's Opportunity

By 1971, Clint Eastwood had become a world famous movie star, just a few years removed from playing a supporting role on the television series Rawhide. He’d since found fame as The Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and starred in the blockbusters Hang ‘em High and Where Eagles Dare.

Eastwood was ready for a new challenge, this time behind the camera. He told Lew Wasserman, the head of Universal Pictures, that he wanted to direct Play Misty for Me. Wasserman agreed, but told Eastwood he would not be paid for directing. Instead, Eastwood would get his actor’s salary and earn a percentage of the box office take.

Many actors previously had tried to make this transition. Some, like John Wayne, had failed. Others, like Charlie Chaplin, were extremely successful. Could Eastwood do it? Some thought not.

But given a budget, creative control and a deadline, Eastwood delivered. Play Misty for Me was shot in 21 days, finishing four days ahead of schedule. Eastwood came in $50,000 under the $725,000 budget.

Once released, the film grossed over $10 million in the US (equivalent to almost $58 million today).? Eastwood earned praise as both director and star, and co-star Jessica Walter was nominated for a Golden Globe. ?

Why was Eastwood successful in his first venture as a director? It was because Lew Wasserman held him accountable and Eastwood accepted the responsibility of being held accountable.

Something to think about in your company.