One of Hollywood’s preeminent cinematic icons, Clint Eastwood is one of the most celebrated and instantly recognizable actors in history. Primarily known for his work in Western movies, the American is credited with some of the most beloved roles that the genre has to offer. The man behind legendary Western gunslingers like William Munny, Josey Wales, and the Man with No Name, all of Eastwood’s most famous characters from the genre have one thing in common; they’re all as tough as old leather boots.

The archetypal cinematic hard man, the actor unsurprisingly finds his name inextricably linked with his laundry list of iconic Western roles. However, that’s not to say that his formidable onscreen aura hasn’t permeated into other genres over the years. Many of Eastwood’s best characters come from completely different brands of film, from acclaimed sports dramas to stirring war movies. However, while they may not hail from his most celebrated genre, these non-Western roles decidedly don’t skimp on any of the attributes that earned Eastwood his status as cinema’s quintessential tough guy.

5

Frankie Dunn

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Frankie Dunn may not be the one stepping into the ring in 2004’s acclaimed boxing movie Million Dollar Baby, but that does little to detract from the aging trainer’s aura of toughness. The cantankerous old pugilist possesses the no-nonsense atтιтude and gritty personality required for a life spent in a boxing gym in spades, to the point where one would think twice about tussling with him despite his advanced age.

Ultimately, the undeniable proof of Dunn’s toughness and forтιтude comes during the movie’s heartbreaking conclusion. Making the most devastating personal sacrifice imaginable, Eastwood’s charge sets aside his iron-clad religious convictions in favor of his love for Hilary Swank’s Maggie Fitzgerald. Dunn acquiesces to his paralyzed fighter’s wishes, helping her commit suicide, despite the consequences for his own soul and conscience.

4

Thomas Highway

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

An abrasive Gunnery Sergeant tasked with restoring discipline to an unruly army platoon, Clint Eastwood’s Thomas Highway serves as the central protagonist of 1986’s war movie Heartbreak Ridge. An individual who emanates toughness from every orifice, the decorated Marine eventually comes to command the respect of his initially insubordinate men through his unorthodox methods, highlighting his hard-as-nails disposition along the way.

Whether he’s dragging grown men around by the ear or beating up the platoon’s resident body builder, Highway’s unyielding steely facade never wavers for an instant, underlining his status as one of Eastwood’s quintessential hard men. Furthermore, that’s to say nothing of the soldier’s military decorations. Heartbreak Ridge is named after a real-life battle that took place during the Korean War, a ferocious engagement that saw Highway receive the highly prestigious Medal of Honor for his bravery.

3

Lt. Morris Schaffer

Where Eagles Dare (1968)

One has to be made of fairly stern stuff to pull off a daring mission infiltrating a mountain fortress only accessible by cable car, a state of affairs underlined by Clint Eastwood’s Lt. Morris Schaffer. One of the actor’s most underrated roles, this unflappable U.S. Army ranger consistently demonstrates his credentials as an elite soldier and human wrecking ball against the backdrop of one of the finest war movies of the 1960s, 1968’s Where Eagles Dare.

Grinning nonchalantly as he blows a horde of unfortunate enemies away, Schaffer takes out literal scores of Nazis throughout the course of Brian G. Hutton’s beloved offering. Highlighting his formidable skill set and icy disposition in even sharper relief, the American commando never seems even remotely fazed by the carnage unfolding before him, even when complete disaster seems imminent. The type of individual who would cheerfully take on an army single-handed, Schaffer is undoubtedly one of Eastwood’s toughest charges.

2

Walt Kowalski

Gran Torino (2008)

One of Eastwood’s most polarizing characters, there’s no denying that Walt Kowalski’s deep-rooted racial prejudices and general unpleasantness make him a very hard character to root for during the earlier goings of 2008’s Gran Torino, even if he does redeem himself as the acclaimed film goes on. With that being said, the formidable Korean War veteran is decidedly not a person that you would want to mess with; a state of affairs that applies to most people who talk of stacking bodies like sandbags.

Still capable of beating gang members to a bloody pulp despite his old age, the foul-mouthed Kowalski is an absolutely fearless individual. A Colt 1911-wielding law unto himself, the aging widower is always willing to draw first, contemptuously trash-talking his foes even when he’s completely outnumbered. Even when confronted with his own impending death during the movie’s ending, Eastwood’s charge doesn’t flinch for an instant.

1

Harry Calahan

The Dirty Harry Franchise (1971-1988)

While Eastwood will forever be known as a Western icon, there’s an argument to be made that his five-film run as the eponymous character in the Dirty Harry action thriller franchise represents his most recognized and widely celebrated role. The character behind many of Eastwood’s best movie quotes, the ruthless Inspector Harry Calahan is just as tough as his menacing nickname would suggest.

Renowned for his supremely violent and unconventional style of policing, anybody foolish enough to get in Calahan’s way tends to find themselves being beaten to a pulp or turned into Swiss cheese by .44 rounds from his signature Magnum revolver. Adding to his intimidating aura, the methods of Clint Eastwood‘s snarling anti-hero border on vigilantism; Calahan is notorious for preferring to kill criminals rather than arresting them.