Five Hollywood Legends Who Passed on Playing Dirty Harry
Before Clint Eastwood made Dirty Harry iconic, five legendary actors—Robert Mitchum, Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, and John Wayne—each turned down the role for their own reasons. Discover the stories behind their decisions.
When Don Siegel’s Dirty Harry hit theaters on December 23, 1971, it quickly became a box office sensation, earning back its budget nine times over. The film introduced audiences to a tough, rule-bending cop, a role that would become one of Clint Eastwood’s most memorable performances. With its gritty style and unforgettable lines, the movie not only launched a successful franchise but also solidified Eastwood’s place as a Hollywood icon. Yet, he wasn’t the first choice for the part—several major stars had already turned it down.
Hollywood Icons Who Said No
Critics like Pauline Kael took issue with the film’s political undertones, a controversy that influenced some actors ’ decisions to pass on the role. Each had their own reasons for stepping away from what would become a legendary character.
Robert Mitchum: The Reluctant Tough Guy
Robert Mitchum’s rugged looks and history of playing authority figures made him a natural fit for the role. He had a reputation for portraying military and law enforcement characters with a no-nonsense attitude. Still, when the script landed on his desk, Mitchum wasn’t interested. Interestingly, his brother John ended up in the film, playing Frank DiGiorgio, keeping the family name in the credits.
Steve McQueen: Too Soon After Bullitt
Steve McQueen, fresh off his performance as a hard-edged cop in Bullitt, felt it was too soon to take on another similar role. He believed Dirty Harry would be treading familiar ground and decided to pass. McQueen later joked about his choice, saying in his last film, The Hunter,
“They shoulda called me Clean Harry.”
He played a character who was the polar opposite of Harry Callahan, both in attitude and approach.
Frank Sinatra: Injury and a Missed Opportunity
Frank Sinatra was attached to the project in his mid-50s, but a wrist injury requiring surgery made him reconsider. He didn’t feel up to handling the now-famous .44 Magnum with his recovering hand. When Eastwood heard about Sinatra’s reason for dropping out, he remarked,
“That sounded like a pretty lame excuse,”
though he was more than happy to step into the role himself.
Paul Newman: Political Differences
Paul Newman, known for his liberal views, turned down the part because he disagreed with what he saw as the film’s political message. Eastwood later explained,
“He thought the character was sort of a radical guy on the right, so politically he couldn’t do it.”
Newman’s decision reflected the controversy that would follow the film after its release, but Eastwood didn’t share those concerns and gladly accepted the challenge.
John Wayne: Regret and a Rival Project
John Wayne was the only one of the group who later admitted to regretting his decision. After passing on Dirty Harry, he starred in McQ, a crime film with a similar vibe. Wayne confessed his motivation, saying he wanted his own version of the tough cop story:
“I thought I could be Dirty Duke.”
The attempt, however, didn’t capture the same magic as Siegel and Eastwood’s original.