After achieving what they had set out for, most children thank their parents for all they have done to support their dreams. However, in an interesting turn of events, Clint Eastwood’s son Scott Eastwood thanked his father for not helping him out when he needed assistance. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday People, Scott opened up about the best decision his father made for him that indirectly helped him in his pursuit of an acting career.
A few years ago, the term ‘nepo-baby’ surfaced online. It refers to children of influential parents who make it big in the industry due to the availability of resources, connections, and parental support. In Hollywood, it referred mostly to actors, children, or adults, who are related to any established celebrity. Recently, the nepo baby debate has been at an all-time high.
How being a nepo-baby did not help Scott Eastwood
During the interview, Scott Eastwood revealed that his father made him work his way through college and audition for minor roles in his own films, rather than taking the easy path. Furthermore, he acknowledged that his father’s decision was instrumental in his personal and professional growth. Admitting that had his father made it easy for him, he wouldn’t have learned the important lessons that shaped him.
Scott’s dedication and hard work, instilled by Clint Eastwood, have paid off, with recent roles in high-profile films such as Fast & Furious 8, Suicide Squad, Snowden, and Live by Night. Moreover, his own life experiences also contributed to making him what he is today.
Until five years ago, Scott Eastwood had been juggling bartending in San Diego with auditions in Los Angeles. In fact, in one of his conversations with Conan O’Brien, he shared that he had to audition for roles in his father’s movies. He said,
“I don’t think he likes me in his movies. Here’s the thing, he’s put me in a few movies. I’ve auditioned for a lot and haven’t gotten a lot.”
Despite the grueling schedule of late-night work shifts, preparing lines until the early morning hours, and driving back and forth between cities, Scott never resented his father for making him struggle
When Clint Eastwood refused to loan money to his son
Scott, who is Clint Eastwood’s son from a relationship with flight attendant Jacelyn Reeves, still resides in San Diego. Reflecting on the struggling phase of his career, the Fast and Furious 8 actor acknowledged that there were times when he wished his father would have offered financial support. While talking about the time he called up his father to get some financial assistance, Scott said,
“I called [Dad] and was like, ‘I’ve got this job, can I get eight grand to buy a truck? I’m working this job, I can pay you back ‘X’ amount a month, you know,’ and I remember the phone going silent… And he’d just be like, ‘Yeah, no. You’re done with what you’re doing.’ He wouldn’t give me a dime.”
With around $400 million net worth, giving out eight grand to help out his son wouldn’t have been a problem for Eastwood. However, adamant to breathe in the same values in his son that he received while growing up, the Man With No Name actor refused.
Scott now has an exceptional relationship with his father, and Eastwood Sr.’s pride in his son’s accomplishments is evident. While the Hollywood veteran never pushed his son towards a particular career, he simply wanted Scott to lead a responsible life. Scott Eastwood expresses his pride in having his father witness his success in the film industry and cherishes the friendship they have developed.
Source: CinemaBlend, GQ Australia
