Sondra Locke Remembered as ‘Early Pioneer’ for Women in Hollywood
Sondra Locke, the Oscar-nominated actress for the 1968 film “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” who was reported dead on Thursday at age 74, is being remembered by Hollywood as someone who stood up for female rights in the industry against powerful men.
In 1996, Locke settled a legal suit with her ex-husband and frequent co-star Clint Eastwood after she contended that the actor and director sabotaged her career and duped her by dangling the promise of a directing deal at Warner Bros. At the time, the Los Angeles Times quoted her as saying that her suit was never about the money.
“It was about my fighting for my professional rights,” Locke said at the time. “People cannot get away with whatever they want to, just because they’re powerful.”
Also Read: Sondra Locke, Oscar-Nominated Actress and Longtime Clint Eastwood Partner, Dies at 74
A comment by her lawyer Peggy Garrity similarly should stir resonance in this age of the #MeToo movement: “It was about power and the arrogance of power,” Garrity said. “I see her as sort of an Everywoman for the ’90s.”
In their tributes to Locke on Friday morning, people are reacting by expressing that Locke’s legacy should not be remembered through the lens of the man to whom she was married but by the strengths of her own performances and, however short-lived, directorial accomplishments.
“Sondra Locke, like Barbara Lowden, deserves to be known for her work, not for the famous man she was disastrously involved with,” author Sarah Weinman tweeted.
Further, several individuals in the media criticized The Hollywood Reporter’s headline on its obituary for Locke that referred to her as Eastwood’s “embittered” ex-wife. It has since changed the headline.
“Was it Sondra Locke who all but forbade Clint Eastwood to work with anyone else during his prime career years, then had him quietly blackballed? Which one can be reasonably called bitter, Hollywood Reporter,” critic Farran Nehme said in a tweet. “This is the most sexist headline I’ve seen in some time.”
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See some of the other reactions to Locke’s passing from industry professionals below:
#SondraLocke directed me in my first film when I was 4 years old. She was fantastic. RIP https://t.co/MgDn1Nwuzp
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) December 14, 2018
#RestInParadise dear longtime friend #SondraLocke ?????♂?#AcademyAward nominated actress, skilled director (I did a scene for her in #TradingFavors), and I #BelieveHer.
— Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) December 14, 2018
Sexist yes. And Sondra was not embittered. She won!
— Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) December 14, 2018
RIP the wonderful actress Sondra Locke, incredibly talented, funny, ballsy, and always mesmerising on screen. Would have loved to work with her. Gone too soon. #fuckcancer
— James Moran (@jamesmoran) December 14, 2018
Rest in Peace to the fantastic, wonderfully unique actress and director (and Oscar-nominee — for 1968's "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter") Sondra Locke. pic.twitter.com/qTMHTA6Qcb
— Kim Morgan (@SunsetGunShot) December 14, 2018
Met #SondraLocke mid 90’s to discuss a film she was directing. Sadly, the film never happened. Lovely lady. #RIP pic.twitter.com/BE0TlPW7ja
— Illeana Douglas (@Illeanarama) December 14, 2018
Sondra Locke, like Barbara Loden, deserves to be known for her work, not for the famous man she was disastrously involved with.
— Sarah Weinman (@sarahw) December 14, 2018
Excuse me @THR, was it Sondra Locke who all but forbade Clint Eastwood to work with anyone else during his prime career years, then had him quietly blackballed? Which one can be reasonably called bitter, Hollywood Reporter? This is the most sexist headline I've seen in some time. https://t.co/GqeUKiPIwf
— Farran Nehme (@selfstyledsiren) December 14, 2018
Locke sued the WB and Eastwood in 1996 for attempting to destroy her directorial career. They settled.
It's sad and disturbing to see so many articles covering her death referring to her simply as "Eastwood's ex" or "embittered". https://t.co/3OrnOMCKBR
— Women Film Directors (@women_direct) December 14, 2018
An early pioneer of women shouting out against injustice. She fought back and should have been commended for her courage.
— rsmy517 (@rsmy517) December 14, 2018
Read original story Sondra Locke Remembered as ‘Early Pioneer’ for Women in Hollywood At TheWrap