Clint Eastwood Reveals His Top 3 Favorite Actors—And One Surprising Choice Tops the List!

Clint Eastwood, a legendary figure in Hollywood whose career spans more than six decades, has become a symbol of the American cinema landscape. Known for his iconic roles in Westerns and action films, as well as his directorial achievements, Eastwood’s career has shaped generations of moviegoers and filmmakers alike. However, despite his own monumental success, Eastwood has always expressed admiration for the actors who influenced him—actors who helped mold his understanding of film and performance. While the actor-director has not explicitly ranked his favorite actors in recent years, a closer look at his interviews and public statements reveals the key figures who stand out in his personal pantheon.

The Top 3 Actors: Cagney, Cooper, and Bogart

Through various interviews and public statements, Eastwood’s admiration for a select group of classic Hollywood actors is evident. Although the Clint Eastwood himself has not presented a definitive “top 3” ranking, several names consistently emerge as favorites, offering a glimpse into the actors who shaped his career.

1. James Cagney – The King of Energy and Fearlessness

It’s clear that James Cagney holds a special place in Eastwood’s heart. In an interview with Patrick McGilligan featured in the 1999 book Clint Eastwood: Interviews, Eastwood named Cagney as his all-time favorite actor. Cagney’s unique style, boundless energy, and raw fearlessness were qualities that Eastwood admired deeply, particularly in Cagney’s performances in films like White Heat (1949). Eastwood, who himself is known for portraying tough, stoic characters, often cited Cagney’s intensity as a major influence on his own career.

Further supporting this, in a 2008 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Eastwood spoke again about his admiration for Cagney, highlighting an iconic scene from Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), where Cagney’s character eats a chicken leg while gunning down a rival. This blend of aggression and charm resonated with Eastwood, solidifying Cagney’s place at the top of his list.

2. Gary Cooper – The Stoic Western Icon

The second name that consistently comes up in Eastwood’s discussions about his favorite actors is Gary Cooper. Known for his roles in Westerns such as High Noon (1952), Cooper epitomized the type of masculine, understated hero that would later influence Eastwood’s own portrayal of the Western antihero. Like Eastwood, Cooper’s characters were often defined by their stoicism and moral clarity, traits that became a hallmark of Eastwood’s own performances in films like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966).

While Cooper’s influence is often discussed in relation to Eastwood’s work in Westerns, it’s clear that Cooper’s legacy as an actor who could convey deep emotional weight with minimal expression played a significant role in shaping Eastwood’s approach to acting. The respect Eastwood has for Cooper is evident, and the two actors share a similar presence on screen—one that relies on quiet strength rather than overt displays of emotion.

3. Humphrey Bogart – Master of Noir and Complex Characters

Rounding out Eastwood’s top three is Humphrey Bogart, a titan of film noir whose portrayal of morally ambiguous characters in classics like Casablanca (1942) and The Big Sleep (1946) left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Eastwood has spoken frequently about Bogart’s ability to bring depth and complexity to his roles, particularly in noir films where the lines between good and evil are often blurred. Eastwood’s own work in the crime genre, such as in In the Line of Fire (1993), mirrors the stoic, often tortured nature of Bogart’s characters.

Eastwood admired Bogart’s knack for creating characters who could be tough and vulnerable at the same time, a duality that Eastwood himself has mastered in films throughout his career. This ability to portray complex, layered characters is one of the many reasons why Eastwood holds Bogart in such high regard.

The Full List of Eastwood’s Favorite Actors

While Cagney, Cooper, and Bogart are undoubtedly at the top of Eastwood’s list, a broader group of actors also influenced his approach to cinema. According to IMDb trivia, Eastwood has expressed admiration for other legendary figures such as Robert Mitchum and James Stewart. Mitchum, known for his tough-guy persona and his work in noir films like Out of the Past (1947), certainly left an impact on Eastwood, though he is not as frequently highlighted in interviews as Cagney and Bogart.

James Stewart, another key figure in Hollywood, is recognized for his iconic roles in both Westerns and dramas, particularly in films like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Though Stewart’s influence on Eastwood is noted, it seems to be somewhat secondary to that of Cooper and Bogart, who played a more direct role in shaping Eastwood’s own persona on screen.

The Challenge of Ranking the Top 3

The challenge in narrowing down Eastwood’s favorite actors to a definitive top 3 lies in the fact that his preferences have been shaped over decades of interviews, and his opinions may have evolved over time. The lack of a clear, up-to-date ranking of his favorite actors makes it difficult to assert with certainty who would claim the top spots in 2025. Additionally, the fact that Eastwood’s interviews often focus more on his directorial endeavors rather than his influences on acting complicates the picture.

Nevertheless, from the evidence available in past interviews and public statements, it’s clear that James Cagney, Gary Cooper, and Humphrey Bogart hold a special place in Eastwood’s personal and professional life.

Eastwood’s Legacy as an Actor and Director

Clint Eastwood’s admiration for these iconic actors speaks volumes about his own approach to cinema. Whether it’s Cagney’s energy, Cooper’s stoic masculinity, or Bogart’s complex characters, Eastwood has absorbed lessons from these legends and translated them into his own work as both an actor and a director. As one of the most enduring figures in American cinema, Eastwood’s influences are evident in the films he has created, from his gritty Westerns to his more recent directorial efforts.

In the end, Clint Eastwood’s top 3 actors offer a glimpse into the essence of his artistic journey—a journey shaped by the giants who came before him and whose legacies continue to inform his own.