Back in 2018, Clint Eastwood starred in the updated true story of a World War II veteran who became a drug courier for the Cartel in the 1980s.
For The Mule, the Hollywood legend had his own child, Alison Eastwood, play his daughter Iris, although she found it hard due to the nature of the role.
In a previous interview, she was asked: “Your father ended up directing you. What was that like?”
She replied: “Oh, he directed me multiple times *laughs*. I worked with him as a kid, and then I worked with him as a young adult. I last worked with him in 2018, which is when I retired from acting.
“It felt appropriate to start my acting career with him and then end it with him as well. They were all great experiences, but different ones. But he always looked after me.”
Alison told Fox News: “In 2018, I played his daughter in The Mule. It wasn’t a big role, but I played a character that didn’t speak to her father. They had a very strained relationship, which is the complete opposite of what we have. It was tough to play someone who had such negativity and resentment towards him. So when we were done shooting, I would go have a beer with him or something, so we could end the day completely happy and laughing. He’s an amazing director and there’s a reason why people love working with him.”
Before her parents divorced in 1984, Alison had really enjoyed being brought up around nature in the Eastwood home. Clint and Maggie Johnson wanted to get the family out of Hollywood and raised their kids in Carmel.
Alison remembered: “I’m glad they did because it was a very magical upbringing. We lived surrounded by the forest where we had baby deer, raccoons – all sorts of wildlife. And we were right on the ocean. My brother and I would just go outside and enjoy nature. I think that’s why I love animals and nature so much because I grew up in that kind of environment. It’s hard not to appreciate it on a very deep level.”
Alison shared how much of an influence her upbringing had on her: “It had an amazing impact on me. I remember my mom and dad took in a baby deer that had been orphaned. The mother had been hit by a car. We were able to care for it. And we were always surrounded by animals. My parents were both very conscious about exposing us to nature. But unfortunately, my dad is allergic to cats and some dogs. So is my brother Kyle *laughs*. So I ended up taking care of the animals and I just loved it. My earliest memories of my childhood were helping these animals in need and it was wonderful. I also had lots of pets – birds, fish, a hermit crab – anything that wasn’t an allergen *laughs*. I was just very fortunate to be surrounded by nature and this beautiful sea life.”
The Mule is now streaming on Amazon Prime.