The prolific and popular actor Sam Elliott turns 80
The actor has been a familiar face in the big screen and TV since the 1960’s when he appeared in the western classic “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”
The prolific and popular actor Sam Elliott turns 80
Sam Elliott was born Samuel Pack Elliott on August 9, 1944, in Sacramento, California. He was raised in a family with deep roots in the American West, and this connection would later become a defining aspect of his acting career. His father, Henry Nelson Elliott, worked for the Department of the Interior, and his mother, Glynn Mamie Sparks, was a physical training instructor. When Elliott was 13, his family moved to Portland, Oregon, where he spent the remainder of his childhood.
Elliott attended David Douglas High School in Portland, graduating in 1962. He briefly studied at the University of Oregon but left to pursue his passion for acting. He later completed his education at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, where he appeared in stage productions, further fueling his ambition to become an actor.
Sam Elliott moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s to pursue a career in acting. He began with small roles in television series, often appearing in Westerns, which suited his rugged good looks and deep, resonant voice. His first significant role came in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where he had a minor part. Interestingly, this film also starred Katharine Ross, who would later become his wife.
Throughout the 1970s, Elliott continued to build his career with roles in TV shows like Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke, and The Sacketts. He also starred in the popular TV movie Lifeguard (1976), which showcased his ability to carry a leading role. His performances during this time established him as a reliable and charismatic actor, particularly in the Western genre.
Elliott’s breakthrough came in the 1980s and 1990s with a series of roles that cemented his image as the quintessential American cowboy. His performance in Mask (1985), where he played the boyfriend of Cher’s character, earned him widespread recognition. He further solidified his status with roles in films like Road House (1989), where he played the mentor to Patrick Swayze’s character, and Tombstone (1993), where he portrayed Virgil Earp, the brother of Wyatt Earp. During that period he also appeared in the Olver Stone’s film “The Doors” in 1991.
One of Elliott’s most iconic roles came in the Coen Brothers’ film The Big Lebowski (1998), where he played “The Stranger,” a mysterious, philosophical cowboy who narrates parts of the film. This role became a cultural touchstone and introduced Elliott to a new generation of fans.
In the 2000s and beyond, Elliott continued to work steadily in film and television, often playing roles that drew on his Western roots. He appeared in films like We Were Soldiers (2002), Hulk (2003), and Ghost Rider (2007). In 2015, he joined the cast of the popular TV series Grace and Frankie, where his performance as a love interest for Jane Fonda’s character was widely praised.
Elliott’s career reached a new high with his role in A Star Is Born (2018), where he played Bobby Maine, the older brother and manager of Bradley Cooper’s character. His performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a testament to his enduring talent and appeal.
Sam Elliott has been married to actress Katharine Ross since 1984. The couple met while working on the film The Legacy (1978) and have one daughter, Cleo Rose Elliott, who is a musician. Despite his tough on-screen persona, Elliott is known for being a devoted family man and leading a relatively private life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Elliott’s deep voice and rugged demeanor have also made him a sought-after narrator and voice actor. He has also lent his voice to numerous commercials, documentaries, and animated projects. Today he celebrates 80.
Watch a recent clip of a moment with Sam Elliott at the Stephen Colbert Show, 2018
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