08 August 2023 , 07:39
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Actress and dancer Roxanne Tunis has died aged 93. The sad news has been confirmed by her daughter Kimber Eastwood who was born during Roxanne's relationship with Clint Eastwood.
Roxanne died on June 23 following a "brief illness". Her daughter Kimber, 59, said in a statement: "My mom passed after a brief illness."
The late dancer met Clint, now 93, on the set of the TV show Rawhide in around 1959 while the actor was married to his first wife Maggie Johnson. Roxanne gave birth to their daughter Kimber in 1964 and their secret romance reportedly lasted for 14 years.
Roxanne Tunis (left), pictured with her daughter Kimber Eastwood (centre) and grandson Clinton Gaddie (right), has passed away (Getty Images)
She once had a relationship with Clint Eastwood (Getty Images for AFI)Announcing her mother's death, Kimber told RadarOnline that her father Clint had sent his condolences to Kimber and her son. She then commented: "He is just as sad as I am."
Paying tribute to her mother, Kimber said that Roxanne was a "devoted" daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She added in her statement: "Our lives are forever changed."
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Roxanne appeared in a number of projects over the course of her career. According to her IMDb profile, she was a dancer on West Side Story (1961). She was also in films including Let's Make Love (1960) and appeared in a few projects that Clint also worked on, including Hang 'Em High (1968), Breezy (1973) and Every Which Way But Loose (1978). Clint directed Breezy (1973) and starred in the other two films.
Roxanne is understood to have worked with Clint on several projects in their careers (Getty Images)A source told RadarOnline that Roxanne "worshipped the ground" that Clint walked on. They said that she "didn't give a damn" about the actor being a star and added that Roxanne was "never impressed" by the money and fame.
"Roxanne was one of Clint’s true loves," said the source. "He maintained a healthy relationship with Roxanne until the end, and is devastated by the loss and for his daughter Kimber."
Following her decades-long career in the film and TV industry, Roxanne - who was previously married to Jack Watson Scheck Jr. - is said to have become a transcendental meditation teacher later in life.
Her daughter Kimber - who has followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a film producer - told the outlet that Roxanne was also "deeply religious." She added that her late mother also "loved" painting, drawing, writing and travelling.