Veteran movie star CLINT EASTWOOD wanted to walk away from Hollywood at the height of his fame in the 1970s.

The actor landed a number of iconic roles during the decade, including his famous portrayal of uncompromising cop 'Dirty' Harry Callahan, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and a radio DJ who falls victim to a crazed stalker in Play Misty for Me.

However, the Oscar-winning director admits he secretly considered quitting the movie industry until his career took a different turn.

He tells German magazine TV Movie, "Do I plan to quit my job? In the '70s I thought about it... But then my career took a different direction and everything turned out well."