Some celebrities have other talents different from what they’re known for. Some actors could be exceptional artists, singers, dancers, or even masters of instruments. You would be amazed to know how good some celebrities are at playing different instruments. Some of these talented celebrities include Clint Eastwood.
He is isn’t only a good actor film director – Clint Eastwood plays the piano very well. His passion for the musical instrument is showcased in a 2003 documentary he directed, Piano Blues.
Clearly, the man is talented in many things, and playing jazz piano is one of them.
Piano Man
Not many know about this other talent of the living legend, but Clint Eastwood really does play the piano and has been passionate about it since he was young child.
He shared this in one interview he did with Vanity Fair: “I started just playing it around the house when I was a little kid. My mother played a little bit. She could read music and stuff.”
It seems that his parents’ interests very much informed and influenced young Eastwood. If he got the piano playing from his mother, he got his thing for singing from his father.
Clint Eastwood’s father, although he worked a traditional office job, used to sing in parties to entertain guests. Clint recognized his dad’s talent, saying he thought he had a good singing voice.
In the same interview, he also shared that he likes to bring an electric piano when he travels. He owns two pianos as well–one in Los Angeles, and one in Carmel where Clint Eastwood lives.
He says he usually plays everyday, but not for the sake of performance. Clint Eastwood plays the piano for his own satisfaction, or when he is working on material. But that’s not to say that he has never performed publicly–Clint Eastwood played the piano live at Carnegie Hall and on Marian McPartland’s radio show.
Could daily piano playing be one of Clint Eastwood’s secret to staying alive in his 90s? We’d dare assume so.
Piano Blues
Piano Blues was a 2003 television documentary that Clint Eastwood directed. In it he sat and interviewed some musicians to talk about their musical influences, featuring clips of the greatest jazz and blues artists.
Ray Charles was still alive during the filming of the documentary, so Clint Eastwood was lucky enough to sit next to the man and have a conversation with him.
Music By Clint Eastwood
If his piano playing comes at a surprise to you, then you might be mind-blown to learn that Clint Eastwood writes music too. Is there anything that the man has not done? Highly doubt it.
Clint Eastwood has composed songs and musical scores for his movies. His musical work is quite formidable, so much so that there is a Wikipedia page dedicated to that lesser-known aspect of his career.
Some of the best-known Clint Eastwood songs are: “I Talk To Trees,” “Beers To You” (which he recorded with Ray Charles), and “Bar Room Buddies” (with Merle Haggard).
Movies he’s written musical scores for include: Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Grace Is Gone, Changeling, Hereafter, and J. Edgar.
All In The Family
In the same way his parents influenced him while growing up, Clint Eastwood’s children seem to draw much inspiration from their dad’s passions. One of his sons, Scott Eastwood, has gone on to pursue a Hollywood career to much success.
Scott’s sisters, with the exception of Laurie, are involved with the entertainment industry as well. His only brother, Kyle Eastwood, is the one who inherited their father’s love for music.
Kyle is Clint Eastwood’s son with Margaret Neville Johnson, his first wife. He has one full sister, Alison, who is younger than him. The rest of Kyle Eastwood’s siblings are paternal half.
He is both an actor and a musician, but he has done more musical work than acting. He has released nine studio albums and has worked on eleven movies either as composer or arranger.
Some movies Kyle Eastwood has appeared in include:
The Outlaw Josey Wales as Josey’s Son (uncredited)
Bronco Billy as Orphan (uncredited)
Honkytonk Man as Whit Stovall
The Rookie as Band Member At Ackerman’s House Party
The Bridges of Madison County as James Rivers Band
Summer Hours as James
J. Edgar as Member of The “Stork Club Band”
Other Celebrities Who Play The Piano
You’ll also be surprised to know that there are many other celebrities who are good at playing the piano like Clint Eastwood. Some of them are: Jeff Goldblum, Johnny Depp, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, and Meryl Streep.