Clint Eastwood saved a man from choking to death.

The 83-year-old actor and director jumped into action and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on Steve John, the executive director of Pro-Am, when a piece of cheese got lodged in his throat at a dinner honouring volunteers at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golfing tournament in California on Wednesday night (05.02.14).

The 'Million Dollar Baby' filmmaker told the local Carmel Pine Cone newspaper: ''I saw that look in his eyes and saw that look of panic people have when they see their life passing before their eyes.

''It looked bad...I gave him three good jolts and that got it out. And then I made him drink a big glass of water with a bunch of lemon squeezed in it.''

The legendary star, who lives in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea, admitted he had never performed the manoeuvre on anyone before the incident.

Steve added: ''Clint saved my life. We were just talking. A piece of cheese went in my mouth and suddenly I couldn't breathe. It was bad as it could have been.''

''Clint came up behind me and he knew exactly what to do. He did the Heimlich manoeuvre and he lifted me right off the ground. He's strong! The cheese popped out and I was fine.''