The Actress Who Refused Clint Eastwood Three Times
Tyne Daly famously turned down Clint Eastwood three times for a role in the Dirty Harry sequel The Enforcer, insisting on changes to her character before accepting.
Clint Eastwood’s name alone is enough to make most actors jump at the chance to work with him. For many, the mere offer of a part from such a legendary figure would be met with an immediate yes, no questions asked. Even Dame Judi Dench, with her shelves of awards, once admitted to feeling like an excited schoolgirl when Eastwood called. His status in the industry is such that few would ever dream of declining, let alone repeatedly.
Yet, in the mid-1970s, Tyne Daly did just that. At the time, Daly was hardly a household name. Her career consisted mostly of guest spots on television and a few minor film roles. She was far from the sort of actor one might expect to turn down the era’s most bankable leading man. But when casting began for the third Dirty Harry film, The Enforcer, Daly was approached to play Inspector Kate Moore, a new partner for Eastwood’s Harry Callahan. She said no. Not once, but three times.
Standing Her Ground
Eastwood, undeterred, wanted to know why.
“He said, ‘What are your objections?’”
Daly recalled. The two sat down to discuss the script. She explained that she had spoken with real policewomen and wanted her character to be more than just a token presence in a male-dominated action film.
“Let me confront one little bad guy,”
she requested, hoping for a role with substance rather than a mere sidekick.
Daly later admitted,
“Initially, I didn’t want to do it. I felt the part was limited and that, basically, she was a joke.”
Her candour must have made an impression, as Eastwood returned a fourth time, still hoping she would accept. This time, Daly agreed to take the role, but only if her concerns were addressed.
Changing the Script
In a rare move, Eastwood allowed Daly to help reshape her character. She described how he gave her the opportunity to add depth and conviction to Inspector Moore.
“He allowed me to influence her with what I considered to be, give her a point of view, a backbone.”
Daly recognised that Eastwood was under no obligation to accommodate her requests.
“He could have hired some much more compliant lady,”
she remarked, acknowledging that most actors would have simply accepted the part as it was.
At a time when few would have dared to challenge such a powerful figure in Hollywood, Daly’s insistence on a more meaningful role was almost unheard of. She stood firm, only agreeing to join the cast once she was satisfied that her character would not be reduced to a stereotype.
Proving Her Point
Looking back, Daly’s decision seems prescient. She went on to win six Primetime Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe nominations, and a Tony, proving that her instincts about the kind of roles she wanted to play were spot on. Her determination to avoid being typecast or sidelined in a major film set her apart in an industry where compliance was often the norm.
Few actors can claim to have turned down Clint Eastwood, let alone three times. Tyne Daly’s story is a reminder that sometimes, standing your ground can make all the difference.