Summary
Overview
Dax Shepard and Monica Padman interview actor Scott Eastwood about his life growing up as Clint Eastwood's son, his acting career, experiences filming war movies like Fury, and his philosophy on fame and work. The conversation covers his childhood in Hawaii dealing with fights and prejudice, his relationship with his famous father, memorable on-set experiences including conflicts with Shia LaBeouf, and his approach to maintaining authenticity in Hollywood while living outside Los Angeles.
Growing Up as Clint Eastwood's Son
Scott reflects on his childhood split between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hawaii, discussing how his mother Jacqueline raised him modestly despite his father's fame. He describes Clint Eastwood's Depression-era frugality and hands-off parenting approach, which taught him the value of money and hard work. Scott explains his complicated relationship with his famous last name and initially trying to use his mother's surname professionally before eventually accepting his identity.
- Scott was born in Carmel-by-the-Sea to Clint Eastwood and flight attendant Jacqueline
- His parents had an amicable split and remain friends
- Clint Eastwood was born in 1930 and retained Depression-era values about turning off lights and not wasting money
- His dad wouldn't buy him a car in college despite being wealthy, teaching him about earning things
- Initially went by Scott Reeves professionally to prove himself without his father's name
" He still, to this day, would be telling you to turn off a light if you left the house. Why the hell didn't you turn off the light? "
" I guess when I think my conclusion is it's not as fun as I thought it might be. Just because your dad has done something great doesn't mean you've done anything great. It doesn't mean either you're a good dude and you're cool or you're not. That takes you a lot farther than whether your dad was cool or not. "
Survival and Fighting in Hawaii
Scott describes his challenging years living in Hawaii where he faced regular violence and prejudice as a white kid. His mother strategically enrolled him in football to help him integrate, and he studied martial arts from an early age. These experiences taught him how to defend himself and navigate hostile environments, though he eventually got expelled for his involvement in stealing from a pot farm.
- His mother put him in football and martial arts (taekwondo and boxing) to help him survive as a white kid in Hawaii
- He got in numerous fights, both one-on-one and in group rumbles between schools
- Got expelled after participating in raiding a pot farm and attempting to sell it at school
- When returning to Carmel High School, had to fight a bully on his first day to establish himself
" Nobody liked me. Luckily my mom I think she really pushed I had to be in sports so she put me in football. At the beginning built in you're one of two white kids on the team. But then I think as time progressed and they saw oh cool he's willing to put the work in and take some hits you become part of the pack. "
" We raided a pot farm. We weren't going to buy it. Who had the capital? We did a little boo-boo. "
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