If you accidentally bite off more than you can chew, there’s one actor who you will definitely want around should you start choking: Clint Eastwood.

The legendary actor recently called on his powers of observation to save another man from choking at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The incident occurred on the eve of the golf event at dinner.

“I looked in his eyes and saw that look of panic people have when they see their life passing before their eyes,” says Eastwood.

The man with his “life passing before his eyes” was none other than the Pro-Am tournament director, Steve John. John “looked pretty bad.”

Well, when you accidentally swallow a large piece of food things are going to look bad. Luckily Eastwood knew what to do, quickly performing the Heimlich maneuver on the hapless John.

Clint Eastwood. American Hero. "Clint Eastwood saves life of Pebble Beach Pro-Am tournament director" http://t.co/gQduKndpKY via @cbssports

— Daniel Schell (@thedanielschell) February 8, 2014

Clint Eastwood saved a man who was choking at a Pebble Beach event. He'd never done the Heimlich before. And he's 83. http://t.co/7gZD3NRbR9

— Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) February 8, 2014

“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.”

Eastwood admits that he’s never actually used the maneuver before. That’s right: Eastwood saved someone’s life despite actually never having attempted to do so before. Pretty awesome.

What led to this bizarre scenario of a golf director being rescued by a largely retired action star?

John says, “We were just talking. A piece of cheese went in my mouth, and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. It was as bad as it could have been.”

You see, kids? This is why your mother always nags you about the whole, “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Not only is it typically a visual gross-out, but it can lead to you choking to death. Unfortunately for many of us in such a scary situation, Clint Eastwood won’t be around to save the day.

“Clint came up behind me, and he knew exactly what to do. He lifted me right off the ground. He’s strong! The cheese popped out, and I was fine. Clint saved my life.”

It was the tournament director’s good luck that the 83-year-old was there as chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation to present the trophy to the tournament winner. Maybe they’ll invite him back next year…just in case he’s needed.

Image via Wikimedia Commons