A new documentary on Barbara Walters gives fans a closer look into the iconic news broadcast journalist’s life, including a somewhat steamy moment with Clint Eastwood that caused her to stumble over her words.
Walters interviewed Eastwood in 1982 at his California ranch, and he spoke about how he was reluctant to ever share his feelings with anyone, including those he was romantically involved with.
“You would drive me nuts, and I would drive you crazy because I would be saying, ‘But didn’t you? Or haven’t you?’” Walters candidly told The Good, the Bad and the Ugly star.
Eastwood was quick with his reply and said with a sly grin, “Well, we could try it and see if it worked out.”
The moment shook Walters’ always-professional demeanor and seemingly flustered her as she said, “We’ll start with this interview and if this is OK, we’ll say, ‘Well, maybe we’ll do another interview… and…”
The View host had to take a moment to pause before she gathered herself and added, “I think we’ll stop and reload,” before everyone began laughing at the unintentionally hilarious moment.
Years later in 2014, Walters revealed that Eastwood had actually asked her out on a date after their interview but she turned him down because she had work obligations.
“This is a sad love story,” Walters told Jimmy Fallon during an appearance on The Tonight Show. “I did this interview with Clint Eastwood something like 30 years ago. He was very flirtatious, and I was very taken (with him). He asked me if I wanted to have dinner… and I said, ‘No, I have to work.’ You know, I don’t mix business with pleasure.’”
Walters admitted that she ultimately regretted her decision and added, “I could have been Mrs. Clint Eastwood!”
In the documentary, Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everythinggossip columnist Cindy Williams shared that the longtime 20/20 cohost “liked men.”
“Barbara had her fill of romance,” Williams explained. “She thought a lot of guys were sexy. She was interested in the possibility of sex. She liked it.”
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