logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Sondra Locke against Clint Eastwood: One of the Most Talked about Celebrity Trials Explained

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud
May 31, 2022
12:15 P.M.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial has become one of the most followed high-profile cases in history. But before the Depp-Heard dispute, another Hollywood couple had the world glued to their messy court battle. Let's look back on the trial between Sondra Locke and Clint Eastwood.

Advertisement

Several years before the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard court feud triggered a broad social media discussion, a similar case involving an old Hollywood couple riveted the entertainment industry - Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke.

Locke, who passed away in 2018, gained global fame with her ex-partner Eastwood, 92, in the late 1970s. Dubbed the "golden couple," the late actress was several years younger than her iconic partner.

Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke shared a motor bike in a scene from the film "The Gauntlet" in 1977. | Source: Getty Images

Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke shared a motor bike in a scene from the film "The Gauntlet" in 1977. | Source: Getty Images

WHO WAS SONDRA LOCKE?

An all-around artist, Locke was an accomplished singer, producer, and director. She was sultry and alluring despite her rugged and skinny appearance.

She rose to fame after appearing with Eastwood in several films, including "Bronco Billy," "Every Which Way But Loose," "The Gauntlet," and "The Outlaw Josey Wales."

Advertisement

At the height of her global stardom with Eastwood, Locke was already married to a sculptor, Gordon Anderson. Locke and her husband were married from 1967 to 2018 and never had children.

Sondra Locke pictured in the 1971 film, "The Gauntlet." | Source: Getty Images

Sondra Locke pictured in the 1971 film, "The Gauntlet." | Source: Getty Images

Although committed to marriage, Locke began dating Eastwood in 1975. The actress only shared a platonic relationship with Anderson, who happens to be gay.

Despite Anderson's sexuality, Locke did not file for divorce. She continued her romance with her co-star, which would subsequently become Hollywood's most notoriously toxic relationship.

Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke attend the premiere of his movie "Bird", a biography of jazz musician Charlie Parker, at the Cinémathèque de Paris on May 24, 1988. | Source: Getty Images

Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke attend the premiere of his movie "Bird", a biography of jazz musician Charlie Parker, at the Cinémathèque de Paris on May 24, 1988. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

WHY DID SONDRA LOCKE SUE CLINT EASTWOOD?

Like how Depp and Heard ended their tumultuous relationship with a high-profile defamation case, Locke and Eastwood battled it out in court as their relationship fell apart. Locke filed two lawsuits against the actor.

The feud rocked the industry. In 1989, Locke first filed a palimony suit against Eastwood, and later in 1996, for alleged fraud and breach of financial obligations.

Clint Eastwood attends the 17th annual AFI Awards at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Clint Eastwood attends the 17th annual AFI Awards at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

HOW WAS THE EASTWOOD-LOCKE TRIAL RESOLVED?

After the palimony suit, Eastwood and Locke reached an agreement that included a $1.5 million development and a directing deal at Warner Brothers. Eastwood offered these terms in exchange for Locke withdrawing the case.

Advertisement

However, Eastwood's offer later resulted in a fraud case. Locke claimed that the studio rejected her 30 proposals, and her lawyer called these rejections a ploy to prevent her from working.

The court ruled in Locke's favor, and she claimed a $2.5 million settlement. Eastwood described the case as a "dime-novel plot" in his testimony, adding that she was only after money.

Sondra Locke arrives at the premiere of "Our Very Own" at the Los Angeles Film Festival at the Director Guild of America on June 22, 2005 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Sondra Locke arrives at the premiere of "Our Very Own" at the Los Angeles Film Festival at the Director Guild of America on June 22, 2005 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

For her part, Locke insisted she only fought for her professional rights. Although she won the case and later resumed acting, some critics branded her a "gold digger."

Even after her death, critics would describe Locke as an "embittered ex." She passed away in 2018, at 74, due to cardiac arrest stemming from breast and bone cancer.

Advertisement
Sondra Locke attends the screening of Alan Rudolph's "Ray Meets Helen" at Laemmle's Music Hall 3 on May 6, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Sondra Locke attends the screening of Alan Rudolph's "Ray Meets Helen" at Laemmle's Music Hall 3 on May 6, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

CLINT EASTWOOD ALLEGEDLY FORCED SONDRA LOCKE TO HAVE TWO ABORTIONS

Before her death, Locke published her autobiography, "The Good, The Bad and The Very Ugly: A Hollywood Journey," which revealed her tumultuous relationship with Eastwood.

She claimed the actor forced her to have two abortions because he thought it would not fit into their lifestyle. She also alleged that Eastwood insisted on using a "natural" method of birth control which failed twice.

Clint Eastwood arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "The 15:17 to Paris" at Warner Bros. Studios on February 5, 2018 in Burbank, California. | Source: Getty Images

Clint Eastwood arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "The 15:17 to Paris" at Warner Bros. Studios on February 5, 2018 in Burbank, California. | Source: Getty Images

Cheating also rocked their relationship, which eventually ended in the 1980s when Eastwood fathered two children with Jacelyn Reeves without Locke's knowledge.

After Reeves, Eastwood married his first wife, Maggie Johnson, in 1953 and divorced in 1984. He later wed his second wife, Dina Marie Eastwood, but they split in 2014 after 14 years of marriage.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Scott Eastwood Shares TBT Photo with His Younger Sister Morgan Ripping His Hair Out

July 13, 2023

7 Celebrities Who Had a Love Child They Did Not Know About

August 22, 2023

Johnny Depp Reportedly Found New Love Years after Divorce — Fan Admitted, ‘He Doesn’t Usually Go For Her Type'

August 20, 2023

Morgan Freeman, Who Survived Step-Granddaughter’s Tragic Death, Is a ‘Great Grandfather’ to 14 Grandkids

October 29, 2023

This Actor Won 2 Oscars – At 93, He's Retired & Living Away from the Spotlight in New Mexico

October 29, 2023

Johnny Depp Rumored to Be Dating 20-Year-Old Jenna Ortega despite Being Linked to His Lawyer Last Year

September 05, 2023

Ellen Barkin's Spouse: The Actress Was Married Twice and Had Some High-Profile Flings

July 10, 2023

Meredith Baxter's Spouse Nancy Locke Did Not Know Her Full Identity at First

September 11, 2023

Is Tom Cruise Gay? The Actor Once Faced Allegations about His Sexuality

August 08, 2023

Jicyra Johnson Is a Stunning Model - Meet Chad Ochocinco Johnson's Daughter

September 29, 2023

This Child Star Was Locked In ‘Institution’ at 13 Then Became a Rom-Com Star Who Retired from Films to Raise Kids

September 16, 2023

Ricky Martin's Siblings: The Singer Taught His Younger Brothers 'Basic Childhood Things'

July 11, 2023

Despite Her Millions, Cher Is Still Fighting with Late Bono’s Widow, Suing her For $1M

August 07, 2023

Ron White's Wife: The Comedian Has a Girlfriend & Has Been Married at Least Twice

September 28, 2023