Eastwood retires from acting

Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood is retiring from acting, after a career spanning more than 50 years.

The 78-year-old had limited acting success in the 1950s, before shooting to fame in the 1960s with roles in hit Western movies such as 'For a Few Dollars More' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'.

He went on to star in 1971 classic 'Dirty Harry' and four sequels as hard-edged police inspector Harry Callahan.

Eastwood extended his career in movies to directing - and has received Academy Awards for his work on 'Unforgiven' and 'Million Dollar Baby'.

The director's appeal spanned generations and he is still enjoying success today - with this year's movie 'Changeling', starring Angelina Jolie, receiving praise from critics and fans alike.

Eastwood has just finished starring in and directing 'Gran Torino', a drama about a racist veteran of the Korean War - but now that is over, he is hanging up his acting hat for good.

He told The Sunday Express: "That will probably do it for me as far as acting is concerned.

"You always want to quit while you are ahead. You don't want to be like a fighter who stays too long in the ring until you're not performing at your best."

But the star is adamant he will keep sitting in the director's chair: "I've got no plans to stop making films."