The best piece of advice Clint Eastwood gave his son
The success of actor and director Clint Eastwood is indisputable in Hollywood, with the 88-year-old collecting 5 Academy Awards during his multi-decade career.
His son, Scott Eastwood, has also pursued acting but has tried to separate himself from his Dad’s success by starting a career under his mum’s maiden name Scott Clinton Reeves.
In a recent interview, Scott revealed the best piece of advice his father has given him about dealing with fame.
“Maybe [the best piece of advice I’ve been given in dealing with fame] is follow your instincts,” he told Pedestrian TV.
“Probably listen,” he continued.
“Shut up and listen. You just gotta go out and keep putting yourself out there, and try and audition for movies,” he said. “No one can help you in the audition room.”
Last year, Scott confessed in an interview that the best thing his dad did for him was choosing not to help him with his acting career.
Until six years ago, Scott was balancing a job as a bartender as he auditioned for various roles in Los Angeles. He also paid his own way through college.
“It was probably the best thing dad could have done for me,” he told the Sunday People.
“He could have made it easy but I wouldn’t have learnt anything from that.
“I would work all night, study my lines until three or four in the morning, fall asleep, then get up at 7am and drive to LA.
“I would audition for parts and then drive back down to San Diego to work that night.”
Scott, who is the son of Clint and his former flight attendant partner Jacelyn Reeves, knew his father was teaching him an important lesson about work ethic.
“He grew up during the Depression and he had to work hard for everything, including his early years as an actor,” said Scott.
“He believes you have to earn your way in life and I agree, although there were a lot of times when I would be angry with him because I knew he could have helped me out with money.
“He made me pay my way through college. That was hard. But he knew the best lesson in life that he could teach me was that I had to learn to take care of myself and not expect any favours.”
Clint Eastwood also instilled various other values into his son.
“Dad has also always stayed very fit and encouraged me to take up running, go to the gym and do weights.
“I do Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu. Dad’s philosophy is ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ and it’s important to stay active physically. I believe in that.”
“I feel as if I absorbed from my father a love for traditional values,” he says. “I like being old school. I hate it when people stare at their phones during dinner and I will always call people rather than send text messages.