How a Plane Crash and a Shark-Infested Ocean Almost Ended Clint Eastwood's Career

Clint Eastwood is known as one of Hollywood's most talented and esteemed actors. Spanning nearly seven decades, his career boasts a number of legendary films. He is particularly beloved for his performances in Spaghetti Westerns and military movies , with the latter perhaps reflecting his experience in the US Army.

Clint Eastwood was drafted during the Korean War

In 1951, Clint Eastwood was drafted into the US Army amid the Korean War . He was assigned to Fort Ord , California, where he completed his basic training. During this time, he worked as a swimming instructor and a bouncer at the NCO club, forming friendships with actors David Jansen, Martin Milner, and Richard Long. Eastwood was honorably discharged in 1953.

A significant event in Eastwood's service was his involvement in a plane crash. After visiting his parents and girlfriend in Seattle, the 21-year-old Eastwood boarded a U.S. Navy AD-1Q Skyraider headed to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento.

During the flight, Eastwood and pilot Lt. Francis Coleman Anderson faced challenges that led to the AD-1Q torpedo bomber running out of fuel and crashing into the Pacific Ocean near Point Reyes. Fortunately, both Eastwood and Anderson were able to use a life raft and navigate through the cold, turbulent waters to safety.

Eastwood spoke about the accident

As fate would have it, the crash foreshadowed the future actor's role in 1979's Escape from Alcatraz , in which he portrayed Frank Morris, one of three men to escape Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary by swimming across San Francisco Bay. The film is a dramatization of the real-life escape attempt by Morris and fellow inmates Clarence and John Anglin in 1962.

Whether they succeeded remains a mystery.

Speaking about the accident, Eastwood once said :

"In those days, you could wear your uniform and get a free flight. One the way back, they had one plane, a Douglas AD. Sort of a torpedo bomber of the World War II vintage, and I thought I'd hitch on that. Everything went wrong. Radios went out. Oxygen ran out. And finally, we ran out of fuel up around Point Reyes, California, and went into the ocean. So we went swimming.

"It was late October, November. Very cold water. Found out many years later that it was a white shark breeding ground, but I'm glad I didn't know that at the time or I'd have just died."

Portraying soldiers in Hollywood

After his military service, Clint Eastwood utilized the GI Bill to enroll at LA City College, where he pursued studies in drama. Like many actors, he started with minor roles before rising to become one of Hollywood's most esteemed stars. His most notable performances include Rowdy Yates in Rawhide (1959-65), Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry (1971) and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Highway in Heartbreak Ridge (1986).

The latter role highlights the numerous military-themed films in which Eastwood has both acted and directed over the years. He portrayed Army Ranger Lt. Morris Schaffer in the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare , which follows a British Commando team on a perilous rescue mission, and he played the leading role in 1970's Kelly's Heroes .

Eastwood makes excellent military movies

He portrayed Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski in 2008's Gran Torino , which he also directed.

Eastwood has also taken to adapting books for the big screen. His 2014 film American Sniper , starring Bradley Cooper, is loosely based on the events Navy SEAL Chris Kyle detailed in his Iraq War memoir, and he split James Bradley's 2000 book Flags of Our Fathers into two films. The 2006 movie of the same name focuses on the American perspective of the Battle of Iwo Jima , while the follow-up, Letters from Iwo Jima , tells the story from the perspective of the Japanese.

Clint Eastwood and veterans

Clint Eastwood has dedicated part of his life to helping such veterans organizations as the Gary Sinise Foundation . Sinise, a fellow actor, is known for his humanitarian work, particularly when it comes to retired US service members, and his organization is dedicated to honoring veterans and their families.

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On June 4, 2022, the organization took to Twitter to honor Eastwood, writing, "On #SaturdaySalute, we recognize legendary actor, director, composer, and producer Clint Eastwood. A longtime pal of our very own, @GarySinise, he continues his service to his brothers and sisters in arms through his generous support of GSF. Mr. Eastwood, we salute you!"