Eastwood sues biographer

Actor Clint Eastwood has filed a $10-million libel suit against the author and publisher of an unauthorized biography, which he says portrays him as an atheist and wife abuser.

In the suit, which was filed in federal court in San Jose, Eastwood accused St. Martin’s Press and Milwaukee author Patrick McGilligan of lying about him and “setting out intentionally to destroy [his] reputation -- both as a maker of motion pictures and as a man.”

McGilligan, reached at his home in Milwaukee, stood by his book, “Clint: The Life and Legend.”

“He has sued people religiously,” McGilligan said. “He’s made a career of suppressing dissidence. I’m a very honest, factual reporter who had no preconception of Clint Eastwood.”

The book was first published several years ago in England. It was released in the United States in August.

Eastwood wants $10 million in damages for the tarnishing of his “reputation and standing in the community, mortification and embarrassment.” He’s also asked for unspecified punitive damages.

McGilligan said he was upset but not surprised by the suit. “I’m fascinated by how this little David in Milwaukee has hurt Goliath,” he said.