Clint Eastwood’s Top Pick for Best Actor Isn’t Your Typical Western Star

Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy catapulted Clint Eastwood into national stardom, and he became widely credited with ushering in a new wave of Westerns. In Eastwood’s extensive career as a director, he surprisingly cites Angelina Jolie, not a Western regular, as the best actor he’s ever worked with.

Eastwood’s career began in the ‘50s, and he has served as an actor, director, producer, and composer, contributing to around 60 films. His work has garnered him numerous accolades. However, when it comes to naming the best actor he’s worked with, Eastwood gives special praise to Jolie for her role in the 2008 film Changeling.

Changeling marked the first significant collaboration between Eastwood and Jolie. She made a lasting impression on him, so much that he recalls her work ethic vividly.

According to Pop Entertainment, Eastwood considers Jolie “the most prepared actress — or certainly as prepared — as any actress I’ve ever worked with.”

“I didn’t know Angelina very well before this,” Eastwood shared. “I had met her on a few occasions, but I always thought of her as a very interesting and very good actress.”

Eastwood has a breadth of experience working with various actors, observing their skills and on-set behaviors. Growing up, his favorite actor was James Cagney. Though Eastwood’s portrayal of morally gray Western characters clashed with John Wayne’s ideals, Eastwood admired Wayne’s performance in The Searchers.

Having encountered both genuine talent and superficial personas, Eastwood might have had some preconceived notions about Jolie. These were quickly dispelled after working with her.

“A lot of people get on the cover of magazines, and it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re talented,” Eastwood said, “but in her case, she is really talented.”

Recalling her approach to her character, Eastwood noted, “She came in with the material in her mind, with an attack on the character, was very amenable, and you could shoot almost immediately. This is something I like to do—catch someone before they overthink it, ensuring their performance remains fresh.”