Clint Eastwood is considered one of the biggest legends in the entertainment industry. Even at 96 years old, his name still carries a lot of weight and respect in Hollywood.
In addition to years of acting, he also stepped behind the camera. While starring in the film, Eastwood also directed the 2004 sports drama, “Million Dollar Baby.”
After 20 years, one of his former co-stars is opening up about working with the A-lister and detailing some of his unusual quirks on the set.
Clint Eastwood Had an Incredibly Unique Directorial Approach
In a recent episode of “Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny,” “Million Dollar Baby” actress Margo Martindale opened up about working with the iconic Clint Eastwood.
Naturally, he brought his own artistic flair to the set. He wasn’t a big fan of traditional directions, which admittedly caught some people off-guard at first.
Clint Eastwood never called “action” on the set. Instead, he let his cast simply begin when the mood struck.
“He would just say, ‘Start when you want to.’ And he’d do this [mimicking turning finger like a camera rolling],” Martindale recalled. “So you just started when you wanted to.”
Eastwood’s relaxed approach on the set didn’t end there.
“And then he said, ‘It’s good for me.’ I said, ‘Is it?’ He said, ‘Yeah, it’s good for me.’ I said, ‘If it’s good for you, it’s good for me,'” Martindale added.
Unlike other directors, Clint Eastwood was reportedly only interested in filming one or two takes. Martindale noted that he was eager to get off the studio set and onto the golf course.
Despite the lackadaisical demeanor on the set, it all seemed to pay off.
“Million Dollar Baby” went on to win several Academy Awards, including “Best Picture, “Best Director,” “Best Actress,” “Best Supporting Actor,” and was nominated for “Best Adapted Screenplay” and “Best Editing.” Eastwood also earned a nomination for “Best Actor.”
The Hollywood Legend Imparted Wisdom to His Co-Stars
Beloved actor Morgan Freeman also starred in “Million Dollar Baby” alongside Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank.
Freeman, now 89, once shared how much he learned from Eastwood on set, including lessons about aging well.
“There is a saying about old age — ‘Keep moving’ — and what Clint Eastwood says: ‘Don’t let the old man in.’ The way to do that is to keep getting up in the morning, keep working out in the gym, keep taking your vitamins, keep taking your prescribed meds, and keep moving. Keep moving. That is the secret to it all,” Freeman shared with AARP.
Like Eastwood, Morgan Freeman is also eager to get out on the golf course and stay as active as possible.
Clint Eastwood’s Former Co-Star Reveals One of His Unique Directing Habits