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.
Yes, you are right. I saw that. Amazing. I thought her roles in the Clint movies were bad, and that she showed little talent.