Previous to his Western heroics, Eastwood played many bit parts and minor, uncredited roles for years. Though he has become an acclaimed actor and director, Eastwood has had bad movies, though many are forgotten. Fortunately for him, his lowest-scoring film is an uncredited role from Eastwood, helping to distance himself from the dud. However, the film still significantly contributes to the early horror genre and Eastwood's career. While not a highlight, this early project marks the beginning of his journey in Hollywood.

Revenge Of The Creature Is Clint Eastwood's Lowest-Scoring Movie On Rotten Tomatoes, But He Wasn't Credited

Eastwood Played Jennings, The Lab Technician

In Eastwood's first ever acting role, he played Jennings, a lab technician, in the 1955 horror sci-fi film, Revenge of the Creature. Jennings is a minor role, most notable for his lamenting of a test cat eating one of his lab rats. The gag character is far from the iconic heroes Eastwood would come to typically play. He would continue acting in other minor or uncredited roles for the next few years until his career expanded with Westerns the next decade. This early experience in a lighthearted role contrasts with the intense characters he would later play.

Revenge of the Creature is a sequel to the 1954 Universal monster horror, Creature from the Black Lagoon. It didn't receive much critical acclaim, especially compared to the original film and even other Universal monster sequels. The film holds a mere 13% on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, Eastwood's highest-rated film, A Fistful of Dollars, has a 98% rating. Despite the failure of Revenge of the Creature, it holds a place in the history of classic monster films, as well as an important milestone in Eastwood's career.

Clint Eastwood Only Made One Other Horror Movie In His Career (& Didn't Get A Credit For That Either)

Tarantula Was Better Received But Also Did Not Have A Lasting Impact

Later the same year, Eastwood appeared in Tarantula, a horror film about a giant spider. Though he was again uncredited for the role, it was larger than his technician role in Revenge of the Creature. Eastwood is referred to as the Jet Squadron Leader. Tarantula was better received than Revenge of the Creature but has not had a lasting legacy in the genre nor a significant impact on Eastwood's career. After his first two horror films were ill-fated, it's no surprise Clint Eastwood steered clear of the genre for the rest of his career, even as a director.