Francesca Eastwood on Legacy, Acting, and Her Latest Projects
In this exclusive interview, Miami Living spoke with Francesca Eastwood, daughter of legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood, about her flourishing career in film and television. Francesca stars in the recently released Warner Bros. film Juror #2, directed by Clint Eastwood and co-starring Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette. She also portrays WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young in Queen of the Ring.
In this conversation, Francesca shares insights into these projects, her acting process, and how she balances her career with personal life.
Interview by Markin Abras | Photos by Jonny Marlow
Miami Living: Your father, Clint Eastwood, is a legendary figure in film. How did growing up with him influence your decision to pursue acting, and what key lessons did you take from him?
Francesca Eastwood: I’ve always had a profound respect for filmmaking and have considered acting to be an art form. I believe that love and admiration came from growing up on set with my parents. Maybe I would have fallen in love with cinema later on or still aspired to be an actress, but having parents in the industry made it something I understood and believed I could do from a very young age.
ML: How was it working on Juror #2 with your father? Can you share some insights into your role and what drew you to this project?
Eastwood: Well, I think it’s beautifully simple that what drew me to the project was getting to work with my dad. It didn’t feel like work; it just felt very homey and comforting to me. I’ve always loved my dad’s work, and he’s been so supportive of me working in his domain. It was a nice feeling to be professional for a minute together.
ML: You’re also starring as WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young in Queen of the Ring. What were the biggest challenges of embodying such a trailblazing figure in wrestling history?
Eastwood: The biggest challenge for me was the thought of wanting to capture what she was like and do her justice to the millions of people who love her. She is an absolute icon, and there are so many people who know not just her career but her personally. I was just hoping I could do something that wouldn’t bother them. It was a bit of a spiritual practice. I always wanted to play someone who really existed and tell true stories, and this was my first time fulfilling a long-time dream. I did a lot of praying to her and about her.
ML: With Mae Young’s incredible career spanning eight decades, how did you approach preparing for this role, especially given her significance in the wrestling world?
Eastwood: After reading the book Queen of the Ring, I watched as much footage of Mae as I could get my hands on and listened to the extensive interviews she has given. I felt the responsibility of playing her along with the gift of her enduring career and fame. There was an extensive amount of material for me to dig into. On paper, on camera, and microphone, she left a handful compared to other women of that time. She truly is in her own league.
ML: What was your experience like working with such a talented cast in Queen of the Ring, including Emily Bett Rickards, Marie Avgeropoulos, and Walton Goggins?
Eastwood: Emily was the leader of the pack on and off camera. Marie is now one of my best friends. Walton Goggins was a dream come true.
ML: You’ve recently starred in several thrillers, such as Clawfoot and Running on Empty. What is it about the thriller genre that captivates you as an actress?
Eastwood: I never look at a project as a thriller or genre. I just look at the character and try to create that as best I can and let it go. The great thing about working on so many thrillers is that, exclusively on a thriller, once you have your character in you, it’s a lot simpler because there’s so much going on in the script that all you have to do at those heightened moments is be there.
ML: You’ve appeared in a range of genres, from thrillers to indie films. How do you approach selecting the roles you take on?
Eastwood: I used to look at things more long-term and strategically, but now I mostly use my intuition.
ML: You’ve had notable roles in both television, like Twin Peaks and Fargo, and film. Do you have a preference between the two mediums, and why?
Eastwood: Both film and television have been good to me, so I could never choose a favorite. I appreciate the difference between the two. Both are fulfilling in different ways.
ML: In addition to acting, you’ve also modeled for major brands like L’Oréal and Too Faced. How do you balance your modeling career with your acting projects?
Eastwood: I do whatever I have time for. If the time can’t be made or it’s too much of a struggle, I’ll let one go. Prioritizing what’s most important and not forcing things is as important as chasing a dream.
ML: When you're not in front of the camera, what are some of the things you enjoy the most in your personal time?
Eastwood: My greatest joy is my son, who is 6. My life with him I consider to be the only thing that will ever be close to perfection. We went horseback riding. I like to read. The Unbearable Lightness of Being is what I’m about to finish as soon as I’m done with this interview. I love resting and being lazy if I truly have a moment alone. I think it’s underrated, doing nothing—how nice and quiet that is.
Connect with Francesca: instagram.com/francescaeastwood.