The Movie Clint Eastwood Almost Made with Marilyn Monroe: “I Was Kind of Excited”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Though Clint Eastwood and Marilyn Monroe are often seen as icons of entirely different Hollywood eras, their birth years were surprisingly close—less than four years apart. Yet the two legends never shared the screen, mainly because Monroe had passed away in 1962, just as Eastwood was beginning to build his career.
At the time of Monroe’s death, Eastwood was still best known for his role on the TV western Rawhide. The two were worlds apart in fame and fortune, and they moved in very different circles. It wasn’t until a few years later, following his breakout in Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy, that Eastwood shot to cinematic stardom and began crafting a legendary career as both actor and director.
Still, Eastwood has expressed a hint of regret that he never got to work alongside Monroe—an icon known for classics like Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and The Seven Year Itch. Back then, Eastwood was a young, relatively unknown actor trying to find his footing in Hollywood.
In a recent interview with Parade, Eastwood recalled an early opportunity he had to star in Bus Stop (1956), a romantic dramedy directed by Joshua Logan and featuring Monroe in a career-defining role that allowed her to step beyond the comedic parts Hollywood had pigeonholed her into. Eastwood was considered for the part of a young man who would star opposite Monroe’s character.
“I was up for a part in Bus Stop as a young guy,” Eastwood shared. “I was kind of excited because she was so attractive, and I thought, ‘This could be OK.’ And, of course, it didn’t become OK because Josh cast some other guy in New York. Like, you’re ready to hit the ball out of the park, and then, nothing.”
Though Eastwood didn’t specify who got the role, it’s widely believed to have been Don Murray, who played Beauregard Decker, Monroe’s love interest. Murray was close in age to Eastwood and this role marked a significant breakthrough for him.
While Eastwood missed out on what could have been a fascinating early career pairing, he went on to achieve enormous success and respect in the industry. Still, it remains an intriguing “what if” moment in Hollywood history—the chance encounter of two legends that almost was.
Looking back, Eastwood’s early career brush with Monroe serves as a reminder of the unpredictable twists in an actor’s journey, where near-misses can shape the path to stardom.
