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Legendary actor-turned-director Clint Eastwood, a revered figure in Hollywood who gained fame for his roles in Western films and later won Oscars as a director, surprisingly acknowledges that he deeply respected only one actor prior to him. Eastwood’s acting journey started with roles in war and Western movies, but it was the Western genre that catapulted him to stardom. In 1964, he starred in “A Fistful of Dollars,” directed by Sergio Leone, where his character, the Man With No Name, became a legendary figure in spaghetti Western lore. However, Eastwood’s career didn’t confine itself to just Westerns.

1971 saw Clint Eastwood portraying Harry Callahan in the gripping cop drama “Dirty Harry“. This film marked a significant milestone in his career, rivaling even his Western roles in terms of success. Remarkably, the initial installment of this franchise was directed by Don Siegel and provided an opportunity for Eastwood to acknowledge the actor he admired deeply – James Cagney. This tribute materialized in a particular scene, immortalizing one of the most frequently repeated lines from the “Dirty Harry” series. However, it wasn’t the words spoken by Eastwood that paid tribute to Cagney; rather, it was his actions that echoed the greatness of James Cagney.

Dirty Harry Includes A Reference To James Cagney

Dirty Harry Paid Homage To James Cagney By Eating In A Gunfight

In the movie “White Heat,” Cagney portrays Arthur “Cody” Jarrett, the ruthless head of the Jarrett gang. The film chronicles his meteoric rise and heart-wrenching downfall filled with chaos. Throughout the storyline, Cody ruthlessly eliminates many individuals and doesn’t hesitate to shoot anyone who dares to challenge him. An intriguing scene in “White Heat” involves Cody eating a chicken leg before pulling out his gun and shooting someone hiding in a car trunk without pausing his meal. This unique act was echoed by Clint Eastwood in “Dirty Harry,” as mentioned in Entertainment Weekly.

In the movies “White Heat” and “Dirty Harry,” there are scenes where he appears eating a chicken leg or a hot dog while engaging in intense action like shooting someone. These moments seem violent yet intriguing at the same time. The scene in “White Heat” is particularly memorable, while the one in “Dirty Harry” is especially impressive because it’s so unexpected.

In one of the franchise’s beloved scenes, Harry Callahan, rather than brandishing a chicken leg, opts for a hot dog while dining. As a bank robbery unfolds across the street, he notices the alarm and understands backup won’t arrive in time. Without hesitation, he confronts the robbers in a shootout, relentlessly firing at them while still enjoying his hot dog.

It Makes Perfect Sense That James Cagney Is Clint Eastwood’s Favorite Actor

Clint Eastwood & James Cagney Portrayed Men Who Played By No Rules

In the 1930s, James Cagney was famously recognized as the quintessential gangster actor, alongside James G. Robinson (in “Little Caeser”) and Paul Muni (in “Scarface”). Cagney starred in some of the most iconic gangster films in Hollywood, such as “The Public Enemy,” “G-Man,” “Angels with Dirty Faces,” “The Roaring Twenties,” and “White Heat.” It may appear odd that a person primarily identified with Westerns would have such admiration for Cagney, but the two shared more similarities than one might initially assume.

As stated by Eastwood (in the book Clint Eastwood: Interviews), there was only one actor that he admired, and that was James Cagney. In his own words, “I wasn’t a fan of any other actor except for James Cagney.” Eastwood commended Cagney for his bravery and disregard for his image when it comes to the roles he takes on in films.

Clint Eastwood consistently demonstrated throughout his acting career a willingness to take on any character demanded of him. From portraying the ruthless, law-defying Man with No Name to the trigger-happy Dirty Harry who asks questions later and shoots first, Eastwood didn’t shy away from playing characters that straddled the line between good and evil. The iconic role of Dirty Harry is a testament to this, embodying a character reminiscent of Cagney’s gangsters – an individual unbound by rules or laws, willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his objectives.

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2025-05-30 03:08

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