The Actress Who Refused Clint Eastwood Three Times Before Accepting
Tyne Daly made Hollywood history by turning down Clint Eastwood three times for a role in The Enforcer, demanding changes to her character before finally agreeing to join the Dirty Harry sequel.
When Clint Eastwood calls, most actors don’t hesitate. His name alone is enough to make even the most seasoned performers jump at the chance to work with him. For many, just being asked is a career highlight. Even legendary stars like Judi Dench have admitted to feeling starstruck when Eastwood reached out. With four Academy Awards and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, it’s almost unthinkable to say no to him—let alone more than once.
Standing Her Ground in Hollywood
But Tyne Daly did exactly that. Back in 1976, as casting began for the third Dirty Harry film, The Enforcer, Daly was far from a household name. Her resume included mostly guest spots on TV and a few minor film roles. Still, when Eastwood offered her the part of Kate Moore, Harry Callahan’s new partner, Daly wasn’t quick to accept. In fact, she turned him down not once, but three times.
She remembered Eastwood asking,
“What are your objections?”
That question opened the door for a real conversation about the script. Daly explained that she’d spoken with real policewomen and wanted her character to be more than just a sidekick. She insisted,
“Let me confront one little bad guy.”
Even though she was relatively unknown, Daly refused to play a flat, one-dimensional role in a film dominated by tough-guy energy.
Changing the Script
Daly later admitted,
“Initially, I didn’t want to do it. I felt the part was limited and that, basically, she was a joke.”
Her honesty must have made an impression, because Eastwood came back a fourth time. This time, Daly agreed to take the role—but only if her character was rewritten to have more depth and agency. She sat down with Eastwood and made her case, pushing for a stronger, more independent character.
She recalled that he
“allowed me to influence her with what I considered to be, give her a point of view, a backbone.”
Daly was well aware that Eastwood didn’t have to listen to her. He could have easily cast someone else who would have accepted the role as it was. As she put it,
“He could have hired some much more compliant lady.”
A Career-Defining Decision
At the time, it was almost unheard of for an up-and-coming actor to turn down a major star like Eastwood, especially multiple times. But Daly stuck to her principles, only agreeing to join the film after her concerns were addressed. Her determination paid off. Today, she’s a six-time Primetime Emmy winner, a five-time Golden Globe nominee, and a Tony Award recipient. Looking back, it’s clear she knew exactly what she was doing.