Eastwood on Schwarzenegger
PARIS, France (AP) -- Clint Eastwood, himself no stranger to the rough and tumble of elected office, says his friend and fellow actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to need a good measure of luck in his new role as California's governor.
"Politicians have to make unpopular decisions. Schwarzenegger is going to understand the nature of his job. I wish him good luck, he's going to need it. It's going to be difficult for him," Eastwood said in an interview published Tuesday by respected French daily Le Monde.
Eastwood, the tough-guy actor-director known for his "Dirty Harry" character and Oscar-winning movie "Unforgiven," was elected mayor of the Carmel, California, in 1986 and served for two years.
Eastwood, 73, told Le Monde that his love of movies curtailed his own political career. His latest film, "Mystic River," premiered in the United States last week.
"I knew I was in place for two years and I had absolutely no desire to present myself" for re-election, he said. "I was able to direct two movies during my mandate without failing in my duties as mayor. Everyone imagined me on course for the White House, especially with a former actor, Ronald Reagan, in power. But I love cinema too much for that."