Clint Eastwood, Hollywood’s legendary actor-director, has had fiery feuds with major stars. Discover the five celebrities he clashed with, from John Wayne to Spike Lee, and the explosive reasons behind their conflicts.
At 94, Clint Eastwood Names The Five Celebrities He Hated
Clint Eastwood, the iconic Hollywood legend known for his tough-guy roles and acclaimed directorial career, has never been one to shy away from controversy. At 94, the Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby star has had his fair share of feuds with fellow celebrities—some public, some simmering behind the scenes.
From legendary Western star John Wayne to outspoken filmmaker Spike Lee, Eastwood’s clashes reveal deep creative, political, and personal divides. Here are the five celebrities who have openly clashed with Eastwood—and the explosive reasons why.
1. John Wayne – The Western Feud That Defined a Generation
Clint Eastwood’s rise in Hollywood directly challenged John Wayne’s dominance in Western films. Their feud began when Eastwood released High Plains Drifter (1973), a dark, revisionist take on the genre that Wayne despised.
“John Wayne once wrote me a letter saying he didn’t like High Plains Drifter. He said it wasn’t really about the people who pioneered the West.” — Clint Eastwood
Wayne, a staunch traditionalist, saw Eastwood’s morally ambiguous, violent Westerns as a betrayal of the genre. When Eastwood offered Wayne a role in The Hostiles, Wayne reportedly sent an angry rejection, cementing their rivalry .
Watch the Trailer for High Plains Drifter:
2. Spike Lee – The Explosive Race & Representation Clash
Director Spike Lee publicly criticized Eastwood’s WWII films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) for excluding Black soldiers.
“If you blinked, you’ve missed the one Black person that was in it. There were Black marines!” — Spike Lee
Eastwood’s response? “He should shut his face.” The feud simmered for years, with Lee later calling Eastwood an “angry old man” .
3. Michael Moore – The Near-Violent Political Showdown
Documentarian Michael Moore criticized American Sniper (2014), calling snipers “cowards.” Eastwood responded with a chilling joke:
“Everyone kept saying I was going to kill Michael Moore, but that’s not true… It isn’t a bad idea.” — Clint Eastwood 117
Moore later confirmed the threat, recalling Eastwood saying, “I’ll shoot you” at an awards dinner 17.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio – The On-Set Power Struggle
While filming J. Edgar (2011), Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly clashed with Eastwood’s infamous “one-take” directing style.
“You certainly don’t want one of those Eastwood looks. He treats his actors like horses.” — Tom Hanks (on Eastwood’s directing) 1
DiCaprio allegedly requested a retake, only for Eastwood to walk off set, declaring the day wrapped .
5. Jane Fonda – The Political Veto That Ended a Collaboration
Eastwood’s conservative politics reportedly led him to reject Jane Fonda for a role in Tightrope (1984).
“He might’ve not liked her politics… He just said, ‘No, I don’t like her.’” — Director Richard Tuggle
Fonda, a vocal liberal activist, has never worked with Eastwood—proving Hollywood feuds can last decades.
Bonus: Social Media Reactions
Fans have weighed in on Eastwood’s feuds:
“Clint Eastwood vs. Spike Lee is the most Hollywood feud ever—two legends who refuse to back down.” — @FilmBuffTwitter
“The fact that Eastwood told Michael Moore he’d shoot him is the most Clint Eastwood thing ever.” — @CinemaTakes
Final Thoughts
Clint Eastwood’s legendary career is matched only by his fiery conflicts. Whether over creative differences, politics, or on-set clashes, these feuds reveal the uncompromising spirit of a Hollywood icon who refuses to bend—even at 94.
Which feud surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
For more Hollywood rivalries, check out:
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The Time Marlon Brando Called Clint Eastwood “A Joke”
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Sondra Locke’s Lawsuit Against Clint Eastwood
Sources: Far Out Magazine, IMDb, FandomWire, The Express, NickiSwift
