EASTWOOD. Good roles aren’t always found in the movies that pay well. RUBEN V. NEPALES
LOS ANGELES—“He’s single, so I don’t know if I’d want his advice,” cracked Scott Eastwood with a laugh when asked in a recent interview if his dad, Clint Eastwood, gave him advice on courting women. At 29, the fourth of Clint’s children, who claimed that for years he couldn’t even audition for roles, is suddenly starring in several movies: “The Longest Ride,” Oliver Stone’s “Snowden,” David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad,” “Mercury Plains” and “Diablo.”
“That’s what they say, yeah,” Scott said when told about his resemblance to his legendary actor-director father. The actor was born and raised in California, but lived in Hawaii for a few years with his mom, Jacelyn Reeves.
“The Longest Ride” is George Tillman Jr.’s adaptation of the novel of the same title by Nicholas Sparks. Scott’s Luke Collins role, a bull-wrangling cowboy who falls for a young art history major (Britt Robertson), showcases his charisma, good looks and buff physique.
Excerpts of our interview with Scott:
What was it like growing up and being the son of Clint Eastwood?
It was quite contrary to what people probably think. My dad’s very old school. He made me work for everything. I put myself through college. I bartended. I worked construction, valet-parked cars. He doesn’t give handouts. That’s not what he does. He comes from the ’30s era, the Great Depression. He was moving around with his family, which was trying to find work. So, he has an old-school philosophy.
What were some of the things you did with him when you were growing up?
He got me into a lot of things that I’m still into today—playing golf, working out, aviation. He’s a pilot, and so am I.
What did you learn from your dad about how to treat women?
People sometimes think that being a man is about being tough. That’s a big misconception. It should be about being a gentleman—it’s from the root of that word, gentle.
Advice
Any advice from him on how to deal with fame?
We never really sat down and talked about it. Just, be genuine, go out there, work hard and keep your head down. Never believe your own hype.
He always says, “Don’t do movies for money. Do the good roles.” So, I try to find the good roles, which a lot of times aren’t the movies that pay well.
Did you ever feel at home in Hollywood?
I lived in LA for eight years. I was never the cool kid there. To me, LA was like high school. I ultimately ended up moving away, because a lot of people didn’t take me seriously as an actor.
Have you always wanted to act?
I was always in love with film. I don’t know if I always thought that I was going to be an actor. After high school, two of my best friends wanted to be Navy SEALs. I was torn, because I didn’t know what to do. These two friends were going to do this thing, which I thought was pretty cool. I thought, maybe I’ll also go and do that.
Then, I had a couple of auditions. I said, maybe I’ll give this (acting) a shot and see if it works out.
At 29, you are finally making it. Can you talk about that?
It’s so funny because, in Hollywood, there’s no rhyme or reason sometimes. I was out last night with Leo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper, and we were talking about that. Bradley has been working for almost 20 years in the business. He just broke out in recent years. You just can’t force it!
Was there a moment that you felt that it finally happened for you?
I don’t know if there was a moment. I just got lucky enough to get some auditions. I couldn’t even get in a lot of auditions through the years. People didn’t want to see me.
So, I fought for some auditions. If they didn’t want to see me, I would put myself on tape and send it, anyway. I pissed off some people in the process, but a couple of those auditions worked out. That helped me get another film, then another.
How do you keep fit?
My dad got me into working out at 15 or 16. It has always been a thing for me, not because I wanted to be a sex symbol. It was because my dad promoted the philosophy of a healthy mind and body. That’s very important.
How was it shooting the shower scene with Britt Robertson in this movie, “The Longest Ride”?
Steamy hot. Britt is a beautiful, sexy woman. I thought it was really nice to be in the shower with her.
How did you feel?
Clean afterward, I guess (laughs). Or, dirty, I guess—however way you want.
How did you learn to ride a bull?
There’s no way to learn how to ride bulls but to actually ride bulls. I called some guys I knew who do it. I brought some beers and said, “Let’s buck some bulls.” It never ended until filming was over!
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