Clint Eastwood Nearly Quit Hollywood Over His First Big Movie Flop

Before becoming a Hollywood legend, Clint Eastwood faced serious doubts about his acting career.

Early on, he appeared in a series of small, uncredited roles while trying to break into the industry. His first significant part came in 1958’s Ambush at Cimarron Pass, where he played Keith Williams, a former Confederate soldier, alongside Scott Brady.

The film, however, did not impress Eastwood. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he recalled, “It was probably the worst film ever made.” He described the experience as discouraging, saying, “I went to see it, and I saw that film, and I said I’m through. I’ve got to go back to school. I’ve got to do something else. I’ve got to get a job of other sorts.”

Eastwood explained that the film was rushed, completed in just eight days, under the direction of Jodie Copelan, who had primarily worked as a film editor and had little directing experience. “It was really el speedo grande,” Eastwood joked, reflecting on how chaotic the production felt.

In a later interview, Eastwood admitted how embarrassed he felt watching the finished movie. “It was sooo bad I just kept sinking lower and lower in my seat. I said to my wife, ‘I’m going to quit, I’m really going to quit. I gotta go back to school. I got to start doing something with my life.’”

Fortunately for Hollywood, Eastwood didn’t quit. Shortly after Ambush at Cimarron Pass, he landed a role on the television series Rawhide, which helped launch his legendary career. The film itself, now remembered as a minor early Western, featured other actors like Margia Dean, Irving Bacon, and Frank Gerstle, and is often cited in film guides as one of the weakest Westerns of its time.

Looking back, it’s clear that Ambush at Cimarron Pass was a painful but necessary stepping stone for Eastwood. The experience pushed him to keep pursuing acting, eventually leading to his rise as one of cinema’s most iconic figures.

It’s fascinating how even legends like Clint Eastwood have moments of self-doubt. Early failures can feel crushing, but they sometimes guide talent toward their biggest breakthroughs. What do you think, would you have quit after a flop like that, or kept going like Eastwood? Share your thoughts in the comments.