Marlon Brando and Clint Eastwood are two of the most iconic Hollywood stars of all time. Each of them are known for playing some of the most popular alpha male characters in cinema, so one would think that they were likely fans of each other’s work.
That’s why it may come as a surprise to you that the comedic star Eddie Murphy is now claiming that Brando simply could not stand Eastwood!
Brando Couldn’t Stand Eastwood
While being appearing on The New York Times’ podcast “The Interview,” Murphy recalled being invited to Brando’s home after he made his film debut in 1982’s 48 Hrs.
“This is how long ago it was: He was going, ‘I can’t stand that kid with the gun.’ I was like, ‘What kid with the gun?’ He said, ‘He’s on the poster!’” Murphy recounted.
“I was like, ‘Clint Eastwood?’ ‘Yeah, that guy!’ He was calling Clint Eastwood ‘that kid,’” Murphy continued.
Brando was only six years older than Eastwood, which made it all the more shocking that he would refer to him as a “kid.”
It’s unclear of Brando and Eastwood ever had the chance to become friends before the former died in 2004 at the age of 80. As for Eastwood, he’s still going strong at 94. In fact, “that kid” recently wrapped filming on his final directorial movie, Juror No. 2.
We can only imagine what Brando would say if he knew that Eastwood was still making movies well into his 90s!
Full Story: Clint Eastwood, 93, Wraps Filming On Final Movie ‘Juror No. 2’
Murphy’s Friendship With Brando
In this same interview, Murphy recalled meeting Brando for the first time when the legendary The Godfather star picked him up at a rooftop restaurant at the L’Ermitage luxury hotel in Los Angeles. Brando then invited the young star to his home.
“He came and picked me up at the hotel,” Murphy remembered. “But there was a time mix-up, and I came down like a half-hour late — he was waiting for me in the car. We went to his house on Mulholland.”
As a huge fan of The Godfather, Murphy found himself “just going on and on” about the 1972 film. Brando, who famously won an Oscar for playing the iconic character of Don Vito Corleone in the movie, was humble about his work in the film.
“He was like, ‘Eh, The Godfather.’ Not just ‘The Godfather’ — acting,” Murphy recounted.
Brando reportedly told Murphy that acting is easy, and that “everybody can act.”
Many would disagree with that, but we digress!
Related: Burt Reynolds Offered Michael Corleone Role, But Brando Loathed Him
Murphy Praises Brando As ‘The Greatest Actor Of All Time’
Decades later, Murphy has fond memories of bonding with Brando and other stars at the beginning of his career.
“I was having these famous people that I grew up watching on television wanting to have a meal with me,” he said. “Now I look back and go, ‘Wow, that’s crazy. The greatest actor of all time wants to have dinner with you!’ But back then I just thought, ‘Well, that’s the way it is. You make a movie, and Marlon Brando calls.’”
Brando’s issues with Eastwood and his friendship with Murphy serve as a reminder of just how small a world Hollywood really is. Just think about how many other secret behind the scenes feuds and friendships there are that we have no idea about!
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