Clint settles libel case

Clint Eastwood has settled a multi-million dollar libel case over a biography that accused him of beating his ex-wife.

He sued Patrick McGilligan, author of 'Clint: The Life and Legend', in December 2002 over allegations that he attacked his former wife Maggie Eastwood.

A witness to the alleged attack has since retracted the claim.

The case was settled out of court after McGilligan and US publisher St Martin's Press agreed to remove the allegation.

Eastwood, who starred in films such as 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' and 'Unforgiven', had claimed that the book aimed to destroy his reputation.

McGilligan, who had initially stood by his version of the Eastwood story, has also written books on other Hollywood stars such as Jack Nicholson and James Cagney.