Wow. Young. Course, at my age I say that a lot.
Seriously, sorry she went at what today is a young age. She was not very talented, and I think her only roles were those Clint cast her in.
No, she was already a known before Clint, who didn’t become her boyfriend until 1975. She got that Oscar and 2 Golden Globe nominations in 1968 for “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.” If anything, it might’ve hurt her for the long run because of her relationship with Clint and after their breakup, she didn’t get any substantive work beyond a few small parts.