Clint Eastwood is a legend. He is a man’s man. You may claim you aren’t a fan of his. But deep down inside you know you want to be Eastwood. You only wish you had his cool voice, half the women he slept with and the style he brought to Hollywood. Deny it all you want. There’s a reason he’s Eastwood and you’re not.

(Eastwood in 1968′s classic, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly)

Eastwood actually made me want to watch Western movies. They weren’t boring or lame like those made by John Wayne. His movies weren’t inaccurate when dealing with history. Eastwood made you believe he could kick your ass. His six foot four frame normally towered over other actors. As soon as he would speak you knew someone was in a world of trouble. You knew Eastwood was never going to die in one of his movies. He was bad before being bad was cool. Screw James Dean. His “bad” was child’s play when compared to that of Eastwood’s.

Westerns were just the beginning. In the 1970’s Eastwood introduced us to “Dirty” Harry Callahan. “Dirty Harry” was beyond cool. He didn’t take orders. He didn’t obey the rules. He just wanted to stop crime on his own terms. Mel Gibson and his “Lethal Weapon” movies were complete horrible knock-offs. Gibson is a pussy when compared to Eastwood. As were his “buddy cop” roles. No real man wants to see that crap.

Acting was not all that Eastwood was great at. He has become a very successful director. He proved he could still make kick ass movies without being in them. His career as a director has been praised by critics and fans. His success as a director may be even greater than his acting career. Very few can make this claim. Eastwood, being bad ass, can. What more needs to be said?

Eastwood is now 80. Most 80-year-olds are in nursing homes or well past their prime. Eastwood’s career is as relevant now as it was in 1966. People still view Eastwood as bad ass. He didn’t change his acting with age. Eastwood didn’t turn to playing grandfather roles that give advice. He didn’t take supporting roles. Eastwood played himself – simply being a bad ass. Even in his drama roles Eastwood is cool. Few actors can pull this off. And no actor his age could ever pull this off.

(Even at age 80, Eastwood is still cool)

When people say they don’t like Eastwood, I’m always shocked. The man acted in such classics like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, “Dirty Harry” and ‘Gran Torino”. He has directed hits like “The Unforgiven”, “Mystic River” and “Changeling”. Very few have had the career that Eastwood has had. Many come, many go. But Eastwood is alive and well. Even when he does retire or dies, the legend will continue.

They say Baseball is America’s past time. Budweiser is said to be America’s beer. And nothing can be American as Apple Pie. All of those may be true. Eastwood is an American icon and legend. He is what every American male wants to be in life – a total bad ass. You may never admit it, but you know deep down that Eastwood rocks.