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Fox News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Clint Eastwood struggled with monogamy in Hollywood, viewed marriage as ‘form of confinement': author
Print Close By Stephanie Nolasco Published July 21, 2025 As a Hollywood leading man who made women swoon, it appeared that Clint Eastwood "wasn't cut out for marriage." The claim was made by author Shawn Levy, who has written a new book about the film icon, "Clint: The Man and The Movies." Featuring reflections and quotes from the star over the years, it aims to shed light on his decades-long career, marriages, and partnerships from the past. Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for Eastwood, 95, for comment. CLINT EASTWOOD'S COMPLICATED LOVE LIFE, 'ADDICTIVE' AFFAIRS EXPOSED IN NEW BIOGRAPHY "In many ways, I think Clint had a modern idea of marriage, even progressive for his day," Levy told Fox News Digital. "There are non-traditional marriages all around us where monogamy is not necessarily the law, but it's open. It's consensual. There are discussions, a lot of talks and struggles with it, but they exist. . . . But in the '60s and '70s, it was unusual." "There's a part of him that respects the institution of marriage," Levy shared. "But his personal liberty, I think, eventually has equal weight, if not more weight for him. He always tried to treat his partners with respect, but he also always followed his passions and instincts." "I think, in retrospect, it's an appetite," Levy continued. "It's something that he found pleasure in, something he could do. He did it before he was famous. He did it after he became famous. There were periods, long periods, of his life, when he was faithful to a partner. And there were periods when he was in between partners or when he was unfaithful to his principal partner." On the surface, Eastwood and his first wife, Maggie Johnson, "looked like an all-American couple," the book shared. They met in 1953 when she was a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and he had recently been discharged from the military. She worked as an office clerk and occasionally as a swimsuit model. Eastwood, Levy pointed out, "had no career or real prospects" before Hollywood came calling. They went on to marry that year. The book claimed that Eastwood's friends were "aware that he considered marriage to be a form of confinement, and he gave himself free rein when it came to other women." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "He was not faithful in the traditional sense," said Levy. "He and his wife, Maggie, seemed to have some sort of understanding about his liberties. There was a lot of complexity there. And Clint has always cut his path as an actor, as a director, as a political entity, and as a man among women. He found monogamy to be confining, just the way he found being a studio contract actor confining." "He's a man of complexity and contradiction," Levy added. In a 1963 interview with Photoplay, the "Rawhide" star said, "One thing Mag had to learn about me was that I was going to do as I pleased. She had to accept that, because if she didn't, we wouldn't be married." He later told his authorized biographer Richard Schickel, for the 1997 book "Clint Eastwood: A Biography," that his affairs "just became … I don't know … addictive … like you have to have another cigarette." Eastwood's classmate at Universal Talent School (UTS), actress Mamie Van Doren, later told People magazine in an interview cited by Levy's book that Eastwood "always knew the most straight and direct path to my dressing room." "When Clint talks about the times, he was chasing women or having multiple affairs … he talks about the challenge of seducing a woman and achieving a sexual relationship with a woman," Levy explained. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Years later, he talks about wanting to counsel young actors about this and how this is not a great habit. This is not a way to be in the world. But he also said, 'No one could tell me that when I was a young actor. And even though I try, I can't convince these young men that this isn't really a noble pursuit.'" Eastwood and Johnson married just a few months before his daughter, Laurie Murray, was born to another woman and placed for adoption, unbeknownst to Eastwood, People magazine reported. According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, Eastwood and his eldest child reconnected years later. It's unclear whether Johnson was aware of her husband's alleged trysts. Still, the marriage endured until they called it quits in 1984. "His relationship with Maggie was meaningful to him," Levy explained. "They were nobodies when they met. He wasn't Clint Eastwood. He was just a guy, a lifeguard from the Bay Area. They worked multiple jobs when they lived in a little apartment. . . . She was always by his side. And when he rose, she was his best counsel. "They had a family together, two children. They built together a home from scratch. Clint always said that Maggie loved him before he was successful. He had a sense of honor, obligation, duty and love for her that, I think, persists. . . . Even when Clint began directing and producing his films, he trusted her judgment." WATCH: CLINT EASTWOOD SAVED HIS DAUGHTER BY RAISING HER OUTSIDE OF LOS ANGELES "They knew each other as kids," Levy reflected. "Even though they divorced and split up their assets and time with the children, they stayed close. They owned businesses and properties together. Maggie was always around. And I think that speaks to the real depth of their bond." But there was one woman who nearly made Eastwood monogamous, the book claimed. In 1972, Eastwood met actress Sondra Locke when she was auditioning for his film "Breezy," People magazine reported. At the time, Locke was married to her childhood best friend, Gordon Anderson. Eastwood and Locke reportedly began an affair. People magazine pointed out that in her autobiography, "The Good, the Bad, and the Very Ugly: A Hollywood Journey," Locke alleged that Eastwood had told her "there was no real relationship left" between him and Johnson. According to the outlet, Locke said she had even moved into one of his homes. But in public, the pair insisted they were just friends. "He used to … sing this little ditty around the house, 'She made me monogamous,'" Levy claimed. "I was impressed that Clint and Sondra were so open about their romantic relationship while Clint was married to Maggie. . . . There was still a lot of studio control over the publicity that was put over what the stars did and didn't do in public. Clint defied that as he would because he's Clint Eastwood, he cuts his path." The relationship fell apart in 1989. Locke claimed that Eastwood had broke up with her and that the locks had been changed outside a home she had thought had been a gift, the Associated Press reported. According to the outlet, she sued Eastwood for palimony, then later sued him for fraud. They settled for an undisclosed amount in 1996. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Locke died in 2018 at 74. According to her death certificate, she was still legally married to Anderson, the Associated Press shared. "It was painful for both parties," said Levy. "I think she felt deeply betrayed, used and horribly treated. [Eastwood] said that he was with someone who didn't respect his boundaries and went public with things about him that he always denied. What started as a fairytale ended as a horror story." Eastwood married Dina Eastwood in 1996. The marriage ended in 2014. Today the actor has remained a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather – all while thinking about his next big project, said Levy. "He directed and produced a film that came out last year," said Levy. "He's still very fit. He's a lifelong gym rat. . . . I found articles from the 1950s where they were saying he eats yogurt and wheat bread and has to drive long distances to a health food store in some sort of hippie neighborhood in Venice, California, to get these 'strange foods.' "I think he still golfs a little bit. . . . He's still enjoying nature, which he's always done. He has a 1,000-plus-acre ranch in Northern California that he's kept very rustic because he loves the wilderness." BARBARA WALTERS TURNED DOWN CLINT EASTWOOD ROMANCE BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T 'MIX BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE' "That's his life," said Levy. "But I think he's probably also reading scripts and thinking, 'I've got another picture in me.' And you would not bet against him." Print Close URL
Express Tribune
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Richard Chamberlain, star of ‘Shogun' and ‘Dr Kildare', dies at 90
Richard Chamberlain, the American actor best known for his roles in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and the 1980s mini-series Shogun and The Thorn Birds, has died at the age of 90, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to the BBC. Chamberlain passed away late Saturday night at his home in Waimanalo, Hawaii, from complications related to a stroke. He died just hours before what would have been his 91st birthday. The actor rose to fame in 1961 when he was cast as Dr James Kildare, a role that turned him into a teen heartthrob and household name. The show's popularity led to Chamberlain being named the most popular male star by Photoplay magazine for three consecutive years from 1963 to 1965. Following his early success, Chamberlain found renewed fame in the 1980s as the 'king of the mini-series,' with critically acclaimed lead roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. The latter drew 60% of the US television audience and received 16 Emmy nominations. Chamberlain's long-time partner, actor-director Martin Rabbett, paid tribute to him in a statement, describing him as an 'amazing and loving soul.' He added, 'Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.' Despite his fame as a romantic lead, Chamberlain kept his personal life private until much later. In 2003, he publicly came out as gay in his memoir Shattered Love, revealing he had long feared that being open about his sexuality would damage his career. Born in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, Chamberlain served in the US Army before studying acting. He later opened up about the psychological abuse he endured during his childhood, describing the emotional toll of his father's behaviour. In his later years, he spoke of the relief that came with living openly—a journey that shaped his legacy as much as his on-screen roles.
Euronews
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Award-winning 'king of the miniseries' Richard Chamberlain dies aged 90
ADVERTISEMENT American actor Richard Chamberlain has died at age 90 after complications following a stroke, according to his publicist Harlan Boll. The veteran actor passed away on Saturday night in Waimanalo in Hawaii. Known for playing in the 1960s television series "Dr Kildare", he later earned the nickname "king of the miniseries" as he took on leading roles in "Centennial," a 24-hour-long production based on James Michener's sprawling novel, "Shōgun" and "The Thorn Birds". Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on 31 March 1934, the actor initially studied painting at Pomona College. However, after returning from his military service as an infantry clerk during the Korean War, he decided to pursue a career in acting. Related Vampire Diaries author LJ Smith dies aged 66 Gene Hackman and wife's bodies remain unclaimed a month after deaths His lifelong partner Martin Rabbett said in a statement: "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us." "How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.' Chamberlain was known for his good looks and romantic style, becoming known as a heartthrob for teenage girls who knew him as the empathetic doctor in "Dr Kildare" which ran from 1961 to 1966. He was named by Photoplay magazine as the most popular male star for three years in a row, from 1963 to 1966. Richard Chamberlain, left, portraying King Edward II, and Faye Dunaway, portraying Wallis Simpson, in "For the Women I Love," Jan. 10, 1972. AP/AP Chamberlain also played in many films, such as "The Music Lovers" (as Tchaikovsky), "The Madwoman of Chaillot", "The Towering Inferno" as well as "The Three Musketeers" and its sequels. Later on in life, Chamberlain turned to theatre, where he demonstrated a fine singing voice. In 1994, he played as Henry Higgins in a Broadway revival of "My Fair Lady" and as Captain von Trapp in a 1999 revival of "The Sound of Music". In 2003, at age 69, Chamberlain came out to the public as gay in his autobiography "Shattered Love". In the book, Chamberlain described how he had to hide his sexuality. At the request of studio executives, he would take glamorous actresses to movie premieres and other public events, and when reporters asked why he was still single, he would brush it off with his typical response: "Getting married would be great, but I'm awfully busy now." "When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten ," he said in an NBC interview. "I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it." Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in 'Shōgun" and 'The Thorn Birds", as well as 'Dr Kildare".
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Richard Chamberlain, Shogun star, dies aged 90
Richard Chamberlain, the actor best known for his role in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and leading role in Shogun, has died aged 90, his publicist has confirmed to the BBC. Chamberlain earned the title "king of the mini-series" for his leading roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. He died late on Saturday night local time (10:15 GMT Sunday) in Waimanalo, Hawaii, after suffering complications from a stroke, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed - just hours before he would have turned 91. Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain's longtime partner, called him an "amazing and loving soul" in a statement. The Heartthrob king of the TV mini-series He said: "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us." Rabbett added: "Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure." Chamberlain's big break came in 1961, when he became a household name as Dr James Kildare in Dr Kildare. The show, based on a popular 1930s and 40s film series, attracted millions of viewers, turning Chamberlain into a beloved leading man and a teen idol. The popularity Dr Kildare earnt Chamberlain meant that, for three consecutive years between 1963 and 1965, he was named the most popular male star by Photoplay magazine. He went on to become the king of the 1980s TV mini-series, playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a catholic priest tempted by love in The Thorn Birds. The latter won 60% of the US television audience and earned 16 Emmy nominations. Though widely recognised as a romantic leading man, Chamberlain's private life remained largely a mystery until later in his life. He did not publicly address his sexuality until the release of his memoir, Shattered Love, in 2003, where he revealed that he was gay. Throughout his 30-year relationship with actor-director Rabbett, they had kept their private life secret. In his memoir, he recalled escorting glamorous actresses to premieres, explaining that he had been "desperately afraid" his sexuality would derail his career. "I used to get chased by hot teenage girls," he once told TV Guide. "I got 12,000 fan letters a week. And I felt somewhat besieged." Rabbett and Chamberlain separated in 2010 but remained close. Born on 31 March 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, Chamberlain grew up on what he called "the wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard" - far from the wealth of Hollywood's star-studded district. The younger of two boys, his father, Charles, was a salesman who struggled with alcoholism and became a prominent figure in Alcoholics Anonymous, travelling the world to speak at conventions. His mother, Elsa, was a homemaker. He initially studied painting at Pomona College, but a student theatre performance inspired him to pursue acting. Interest from a Hollywood scout was put on hold as he was drafted into the US Army, where he rose to the rank of sergeant while stationed in South Korea. Upon returning to California, Chamberlain took acting classes, landing several small TV roles before his breakout role as Dr Kildare. Years later, Chamberlain recounted the psychological abuse he endured during his childhood. He described how his father's "lethal sneer" and emotionally abusive behaviour made him feel as if he were being "slashed with a machete". Chamberlain also spoke about the relief he experienced in finally not having to hide his sexuality later in life. Film
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Richard Chamberlain, TV actor who starred in ‘Dr. Kildare,' dies at 90
Richard Chamberlain, the handsome hero of the 1960s television series 'Dr. Kildare' who found a second career as an award-winning 'king of the miniseries,' has died. He was 90. Chamberlain died Saturday night in Waimanalo, Hawaii of complications following a stroke, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll. 'Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us,' Martin Rabbett, his lifelong partner, said in a statement. 'How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.' Tall, with classic good looks and romantic style, Chamberlain became an instant favorite with teenage girls as the compassionate physician on the TV series that aired from 1961 to 1966. Photoplay magazine named him most popular male star for three years in a row, from 1963-65. Not until 2003 did he acknowledge publicly what Hollywood insiders had long known, that he was gay. He made the revelation in his autobiography, 'Shattered Love.' The actor became known as 'king of the TV miniseries' in 1978 when he landed the starring role in 'Centennial,' an epic production 24 hours long and based on James Michener's sprawling novel. He followed that in 1980 with 'Shogun,' another costly, epic miniseries based on James Clavell's period piece about an American visitor to Japan. He scored his greatest miniseries success in 1983 with another long-form drama, 'The Thorn Birds,' based on Colleen McCullough's best-seller. He played Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Roman Catholic priest in Australia who falls in love with beautiful Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward). The ABC production, which also starred Barbara Stanwyck, reportedly attracted 100 million viewers. Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in 'Shogun' and 'The Thorn Birds.' Years earlier, he received one for 'Dr. Kildare.' When the public began to lose interest in miniseries, Chamberlain turned to the theater, where he displayed a fine singing voice. He appeared as Henry Higgins in a 1994 Broadway revival of 'My Fair Lady' and as Captain von Trapp in a 1999 revival of 'The Sound of Music.' He reprised his role of de Bricassart in the 1996 TV movie 'The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years.' He also appeared in numerous films, including 'The Music Lovers' (as Tchaikovsky), 'The Madwoman of Chaillot,' 'The Towering Inferno' and 'The Three Musketeers' and its sequels. The 'Kildare' series was based on a string of successful 1930s and '40s films that had starred Lew Ayres in the title role. Chamberlain's hunky, All-American appearance made him an overnight star. Another medical show that debuted the same season, 'Ben Casey,' also was a smash and made its leading man, the darkly handsome Vince Edwards, a star, too. The 'Ben Casey shirt' became a fashion item, both shows' theme songs made the pop Top 40 (the Kildare song performed by Chamberlain himself) and there was even a pop song called 'Dr. Kildare! Dr. Casey! You Are Wanted for Consultation.' But in his book, Chamberlain recounted how he was forced to hide his sexuality. He would escort glamorous actresses to movie premieres and other public events at the request of studio executives and dodge reporters' questions about why he had never married with a stock reply: 'Getting married would be great, but I'm awfully busy now.' 'When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten,' he said in an NBC interview. 'I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it.' The book also described a troubled childhood and an alcoholic father, and Chamberlain said that writing it finally lifted a heavy emotional burden. He also expressed relief that he was no longer hiding his sexuality. 'I played a cat-and-mouse game with the press. Game over,' said Chamberlain, who for years was involved with fellow actor Martin Rabbett. Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, the actor originally studied at Pomona College to be a painter. But after returning from the Army, where he had served as an infantry clerk in the Korean War, Chamberlain decided to try acting. He studied voice and drama, and after appearing in guest roles in a handful of TV shows and in the 1960 film 'The Secret of the Purple Reef,' he won the Dr. Kildare role. When 'Dr. Kildare' was canceled he initially found it difficult to shake the image of the handsome young physician. He moved to England for a time to find work and hone his acting skills. While there, he appeared in three of director Richard Lester's films, 'Petulia' (1968), 'The Three Musketeers' (1973) and 'The Four Musketeers' (1974). He reunited with Lester in 1989 for 'The Return of the Musketeers,' once more playing Aramis. In 1969, Chamberlain played the title role in 'Hamlet' at England's Birmingham Repertory Company and repeated it in a TV adaptation that appeared on NBC in the United States. He also appeared as Octavius in a film version of 'Julius Caesar,' which co-starred Charlton Heston and Jason Robards. He continued to act well into the 21st century, appearing on such television shows as 'Will & Grace,' 'The Drew Carey Show' and 'Touched by an Angel.' ___ Bob Thomas, a longtime Associated Press journalist who died in 2014, was the principal writer of this obituary. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
