Clint Eastwood’s daughter Alison recalls her ‘magical’ upbringing away from Hollywood: ‘Family came first’
Clint Eastwood’s daughter Alison recalls her ‘magical’ upbringing away from Hollywood: ‘Family came first’
The retired actress founded the Eastwood Ranch Foundation, which aims to rescue animals from high-kill shelters in California
By Stephanie Nolasco | Fox News
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Alison Eastwood grew up watching her father play a hero on the big screen – now, she wants to be a heroine for animals in need.
The retired actress, who is the daughter of Clint Eastwood and Maggie Johnson, spends much of her time rescuing animals at risk of being euthanized in Southern California’s overcrowded shelters. In 2012, the 50-year-old founded the Eastwood Ranch Foundation, which aims to reduce pet overpopulation and increase adoptions through spay/neuter programs, rescue partnerships, and local education.
Eastwood told us that when she is not overseeing her passion project, she is spending more time than ever with the legendary actor/director, who has been savoring his golden years kicking back with his family and playing golf with close pals.
Alison Eastwood is the daughter of Clint Eastwood and Maggie Johnson. (Photo by Michael Tran/Getty Images)
Eastwood spoke to Fox News Digital about growing up outside of Hollywood, what it was really like being directed by her dad and how others can take part in her rescue efforts.
Fox News: When did you first realize that your father was different from other days?
Alison Eastwood: I would say when I was seven or eight years old – somewhere around there. I was pretty young, and I remember seeing this movie poster on the side of a bus with my father’s face on it. I thought, “That’s kind of weird.” *laughs*.
But I think it goes even further back. I grew up in Carmel, which is a pretty small, sleepy town in California. We would have family dinners and people would approach him during our family time to shake hands, and get an autograph or a photo. It really annoyed my dad, but that’s the price of being famous.
Clint Eastwood and his wife, Maggie Johnson, play with two pet budgerigars in their home, October 1, 1959. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
You don’t get a lot of boundaries when you’re out in public. People think, “Well, he’s a public celebrity figure, and we want to go up and say hello.” I remember as a kid that we wouldn’t get a lot of uninterrupted, quality family time with him in public. People always wanted to engage with him. I guess that was my real first time noticing that people seemed only interested in him. And of course, seeing his face on the side of buses or buildings. I learned very quickly that other people’s parents weren’t garnering that same kind of attention.
Fox News: What was it like growing up in Carmel? You probably didn’t have the typical Hollywood upbringing.
Eastwood: Carmel is a beautiful place and I think my parents really wanted to get out of Hollywood to raise their kids. When my dad was in the army, he was stationed in the Monterey peninsula, so he loved the area. And my mom fell in love with it too. They both lived in LA, but when it came time to raise a family, they felt it was important to get out of the Hollywood scene.
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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.
Maggie Johnson at her Pebble Beach home with her daughter Alison Eastwood, son Kyle Eastwood, and Dutch Velvet, their pet rabbit. (Photo by © Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG via Getty Images)
Fox News: How much of an influence did your upbringing have on you?
Eastwood: 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.
Fox News: Your parents divorced in 1984. Did that affect you in any way?
Eastwood: You know, I’m so thankful that both of them are friends. We all celebrate Thanksgiving together. Usually, my dad and his girlfriend will come over to my mom’s house. And my parents only live like a mile away from each other up in the Carmel area. They still have some businesses together.
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