Clint Eastwood Says This Is the Funniest Movie of the Century
Clint Eastwood has spent most of his career playing tough, serious characters. Because of that, many people assume broad comedy is not really his thing.
Still, the legendary actor and director once surprised fans by openly praising a modern comedy and calling it the comedy of the century. The film he singled out was Tropic Thunder, the 2008 movie directed by and starring Ben Stiller.
Eastwood rarely talks about comedies he enjoys, which made his comments stand out. In past interviews, he explained that Tropic Thunder worked for him because it mocked Hollywood itself.
It’s a great send-up of Hollywood, he said. It looked like they had a good time making it, and Robert Downey Jr was great. When they blow that guy’s head off… you couldn’t help laughing.
Robert Downey Jr’s role in the film drew a lot of attention at the time and even earned him an Academy Award nomination. While that performance would likely be judged more harshly if released today, Eastwood clearly admired its bold approach. Reports also note that he enjoyed the movie’s over-the-top ending, including Tom Cruise’s unexpected dance appearance during the credits.
Critics and audiences do not all agree that Tropic Thunder deserves the title of greatest comedy of the century. Some would not even place it at the top of modern comedy lists. Still, it remains the only comedy Eastwood has ever publicly praised in such strong terms. He has never shown much interest in popular comedy trends from the 2000s, but a film packed with big stars and focused on Hollywood satire clearly appealed to him.
Even in his mid-90s, Eastwood remains active and influential in the film industry. His most recent project, Juror #2, starred Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette. The film received a limited theatrical release in late 2024 but gained much more attention after arriving on the Max streaming service. According to industry reports, it performed very well on streaming and brought renewed focus to Eastwood’s recent work as a director.
Many viewers assumed Juror #2 might be his final film. However, reports from World of Reel and Variety suggest he is not done yet.
As of early 2026, Eastwood is said to be preparing another mystery project. He has spoken openly about his refusal to retire, once saying, There’s no reason why a man can’t get better with age. Sure, there are directors who lose their touch at a certain age, but I’m not one of them.
His career stretches across decades, from classic Westerns and Dirty Harry films to award-winning dramas like Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. Whether he is making serious films or laughing at a loud Hollywood parody, Eastwood continues to surprise audiences even as he approaches his 96th birthday.
Eastwood’s praise of Tropic Thunder says more about his taste than about ranking comedies. He seems to value bold ideas and confidence over safe humor. That makes his choice interesting, even if many people would pick a different film. Do you agree with Clint Eastwood’s view, or do you think another comedy deserves the title? Let us know what you think in the comments.
