Clint Eastwood is one of the biggest names who has worked in front of a camera. The actor has probably done just about everything when it comes to movies. A career that spans almost seven decades, Eastwood’s career is full of prominent and astonishing pieces of cinema. Some of his remarkable works include Pale Rider, In the Line of Fire, Richard Jewell, and many more. Hence, it is safe to say that he is a legendary figure in the film industry.
On one hand, Clint Eastwood is defined as a charismatic and phenomenal actor, but on the other hand, the actor is labeled as a toxic personality due to his questionable relationship with Sondra Locke. Their relationship was extremely sour and it went to the extent where the Cry Macho actor physically assaulted Locke during his 1980 film.
Clint Eastwood Physically Assaulted Sondra Locke During The Production of Bronco Billy
Sondra Locke and Clint Eastwood first met in 1972, but they later started dating in 1976, while they working together on The Outlaw Josey Wales. However, their relationship started to turn sour in 1978, when the actress found out that she was carrying the child of the Sully actor. By 1980, their relationship was full of problems and fights, and it became evident when they were working together in the 1980 film. Locke was one of the best actresses of her time, and the best possible role of her career was opposite Clint Eastwood in the 1980 film, Bronco Billy.
However, her most iconic film was not the most memorable for her as per IMDb, Eastwood kicked her under the table whilst shooting an emotional scene because she could not muster up tears during an emotional scene. Though kicking the actress worked perfectly this just showcases how one of the biggest names can be a menace to work with.
Sondra Locke Sues Clint Eastwood For Emotional Distress and Breach of Contract
In 1982, the actor decided to end their relationship by changing their Bel-Air house locks and storing all her things in storage. The Sudden Impact actress had enough of Eastwood’s abuse, as she decided to take matters to the court, where she mentioned in a written statement that she was kicked out of the house.
But the actress dropped the case after a year as he promised her that he would provide her with a three-year development contract to supervise films for Warner Bros. She received $1.5 million, and Warner Bros. gave her an office. She sued him again in 1996, as Locke claimed that despite Clint Eastwood’s assurance, she never worked on any movie, and Warner Bros. rejected all of her projects.
The actress also claimed that her former spouse tricked her into accepting the project development deal so that she dropped the palimony suit. Locke accused the Dirty Harry actor of creating a dead-end career and sought $2 million in damages, but it remains unknown how much the actor paid to settle the case with her.