Joyce Heims (January 15, 1930 – April 22, 1978) was an American screenwriter best known for her collaborations with actor-director Clint Eastwood.
[4][5] Heims received writing credits in television and movies in a wide range of genres for both independent and major film studios.
These include the crime drama The Girl in Lovers Lane, the horror feature The Devil's Hand, the western Navajo Run, and the Elvis Presley musical Double Trouble.
[6][7][8][9] While working at Universal Pictures, Heims crossed paths with and befriended Clint Eastwood, then an up-and-coming actor.
Heims drafted a 60-page screenplay for Play Misty for Me, a psychological thriller that would soon become Eastwood's directorial debut.
[11][12][13] Although he initially optioned the script, Eastwood encouraged Heims to sell it to Universal when she received a larger offer.
[14] The company shelved the project, so when Eastwood later signed a three-picture contract with Universal, he regained the screenplay and had it revised by Dean Riesner.
[2][4][10][13][15] Play Misty for Me was released in 1971, the year Eastwood also took the title role in the crime thriller Dirty Harry.