Clint Eastwood is one of the most well-known and respected individuals in Hollywood. Having made a name for himself as not only an actor but also a director, he has made and starred in massive projects like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Mule, Million Dollar Baby, and A Fistful of Dollars. He has also been nominated for an Academy Award a number of times, including winning twice in the category of Best Picture and twice for Best Director.
Outside of his professional achievements, the director has quite a reputation when it comes to his romantic life. Having been married twice and had some very public affairs with co-stars from projects he’s worked on, Eastwood is known for mixing his professional and personal life. Could it be possible, however, that his long-term relationship with one of his co-stars led to the destruction of her career?
Who Was Sondra Locke?
Sondra Locke was an exceptionally talented actress who had a very bright career ahead of her, not only in acting but also as a director. She starred in many successful films during the course of her career, including Every Which Way But Loose, Bronco Billy, Sudden Impact, and The Outlaw Josey Wales. She was perhaps one of the most talented actresses of her time, being nominated for an Academy Award for her first role in the 1969 film, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.
The actress first met Clint Eastwood when they starred in the 1976 film, The Outlaw Josey Wales. It was here that the two started their relationship, despite being married to other people, with the actress being married to Gordon Anderson and Eastwood being married to Maggie Johnson. After this, Locke appeared in many of Eastwood’s projects, until their separation in 1989.
Did Sondra Locke’s Relationship With Clint Eastwood Destroy Her Career?
A question that must be raised about this relationship is if Sondra Locke’s relationship with Clint Eastwood became the only thing the media was interested in about the incredibly talented actress. Over the course of the 13 years that the two were involved with each other, the interest of the public in Locke’s professional life dwindled and all people seemed to have cared about was what was going on between her and Eastwood.
Could this have resulted in an actress with so much potential, being overshadowed by things in her personal life? Many seem to think so as Locke went from starring in massively successful projects to starring in sub-par films until she was forced to start a battle with cancer and unfortunately passed away in 2018.