Everything about Sam Elliott stands out, from his uniquely deep voice to his thick 'stache and tall and slender frame. Not only are his physical features striking, but a true fan can never erase the memory of his exemplary acting skills.
After launching his career in the '60s against his father's wishes, Elliott did exceptionally well to accomplish the status of a Hollywood superstar. From losing his father as a teenager to facing a few controversies along the way, Elliott achieved what he achieved amid great obstacles. Somehow, he's hit a home run, and you deserve to know about it. Read on for a healthy dose of inspiration for your life!
Early Years And Education
On August 9, 1944, Samuel Pack Elliott was born in Sacramento, California. He was as young as nine years old when the thought of becoming an actor first crossed his mind. At the age of 13, he moved to Portland, Oregon, with his family and lived in the northeastern part through his teenage years.
Elliott graduated from David Douglas High School in 1962 and attended the University of Oregon for two terms before dropping out. He then completed a two-year-program at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, during which he secured his first stage role.
The King And Queen Of His Life
When Elliott's mother, Glynn Mamie, gave birth to him, neither she nor her husband, Nelson Elliott, would've thought that they brought a legend to the world. They both had regular jobs. Glynn was a physical training instructor who later became a high school teacher.
On the other hand, Nelson was an animal control specialist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior. Sadly, Nelson didn't get to witness the stardom his son would go to achieve, as he passed away from a heart attack. Elliott was only 18 years old and wasn’t on good terms with him at the time.
From A Good Son To A Mischievous One
Elliott was always very close to his parents, particularly his father. They shared similar views and interests, like their love for the outdoors and nature. These interests allowed them hours of bonding time, which Elliott used to get his father's advice on higher education and professions.
However, ever since Elliott opened up about his intentions of becoming an actor, the bond they shared was never the same. Nelson didn't approve of it and insisted his son get a university degree and have a conventional career path. Nevertheless, his father’s disapproval didn’t stop him from chasing his dreams.
Elliott Was Dead Set On Achieving His Goals
The hurtful words that went back and forth when his father was still alive are still carved in his head. In a CBS publication, Elliott recalled his father's words of discouragement along the lines of, "You've got a snowball's chance in hell of having a career in [Hollywood]."
While his father may not have supported him, Elliott still credits him for influencing his journey. As much as he loves his father, Elliott took a big step and went on to prove Nelson’s words wrong by becoming one of the most legendary actors in the history of Hollywood.
Taking A Huge Leap Of Faith
When Elliott was in college, he got the opportunity to play one of the leads (Big Jule) in a stage musical named Guys and Dolls. After receiving critical acclamation for his portrayal in the local newspaper, Elliott decided to test his luck and move to Hollywood.
Of course, he knew that establishing an acting career would take time, which is why he took up a "survival job". Usually, others like him would opt for work in the hospitality industry. However, Elliott went into the construction field as the industry was booming and jobs were readily available. He enjoyed the job, and it supported him financially through his acting journey.
Climbing The Ladder Of Fame
As the newspaper critics said, Elliott had amazing acting skills, which is why he was climbing the ladder of success pretty quickly. One of his most notable early roles was in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Even though he only had an uncredited minor role in the film, its widespread success made his face a memorable one. During the making of this film, he first saw Katharine Ross, the lead female star, who would later come to hold a special place in his heart and life. She didn’t notice him then, but soon, everyone would.
Taking The Backroads To Hollywood Success
Starting in the late '60s, Elliott was landing more and more jobs every year through the '70s. His wasn't a household name just yet, but he had enough work to earn him a steady income to survive in Hollywood. He no longer needed the job in construction.
The majority of Elliott's earnings were derived from works on television. Not that he wasn't appreciative, but his ultimate dream was to become a movie star, but he wasn't quite there yet. As the decade slipped by, Elliott kept trying harder and began to get supporting roles, including his famous military roles.
The Perfect Actor For Military Characters
If you take a look at Elliott's work history, you will notice that he's played an awful lot of military roles. But no one's complaining. He does a great job of bringing life to those characters, and given his tall and sturdy appearances, he is the perfect match.
Furthermore, Elliott has the ability to portray such characters from his personal experience in the military. That's right—he served in the California Air National Guard during his college years, and was part of the 146th Airlift Wing, or 146 AW. It was a period of strict discipline that put his career in bloom by earning him memorable roles.
A Massive Career Boost Was In Order
While giving 100% to television roles like Doug Robert on Mission: Impossible and Sam Damon on Once an Eagle, Elliott mastered his skills to win more significant roles in movies. Right around the mid-'70s, his career saw a huge boost as he won a title character.
His first eponymous role was in the biographical television film Evel Knievel, which came out in 1974. Elliott's prosperity kept towering in the next few years, with the number of fans multiplying each day. All was fine until he landed a major role in a movie that changed his life forever.
Realizing His Lifelong Dream
In 1978, Elliott's dream came true when he won his first lead role in a movie, The Legacy. It was a massive box office hit that earned him widespread recognition. Elliott's female fans were particularly fond of this movie because they got to see the heartthrob unclothed.
It was the most memorable scene of the film, so much so that The Bare Facts (a printed guide to bareness in Hollywood) rated him 3/3 for the jaw-dropping performance. It was quite the treat. In The Legacy, Elliott played Pete Danner's character alongside a co-star he'd longed for over the years.
The Legacy Will Forever Be Close To His Heart
Of course, Elliott will eternally remember The Legacy as it gave him his big break to lead roles in Hollywood. However, that's not the only reason why the said film is so close to his heart. Later in his life, Elliott opened up about how he developed a crush on Katharine Ross after seeing her on the set of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
He was shy and nervous about approaching her in 1969 as she was the leading lady, while he was just an uncredited extra. Somehow, Ross became his co-star in The Legacy, unlocking the possibilities of growing their professional relationship to something more.
More Than Just A Colleague
Before you could read the reviews on their movie, Ross and Elliott were dating. No one could be surprised, given how great both of them looked back then (not much has changed now). Elliott was so attractive that any woman could win him over.
The same goes for Ross, although she mentioned in an interview that there's a lot more to Elliott than his looks. Their colleagues and even the tabloids didn't take too long to realize that Ross and Elliott were romantically involved. However, one major problem led fans to mock them instead of being happy for the couple.
The Relationship Birthed Public Controversy
Ross and Elliott's fans didn't take the news of their newfound love very well. In fact, it caused serious public backlash solely because Ross was married at the time. Even though she tried to cool things down by announcing that she and her then-husband Gaetano Lisi, were filing for divorce, the public wouldn't have it.
Instead, they believed that such a sudden shift to a new relationship was not only scandalous but also plain disrespectful. Ross survived the controversy and finalized her divorce. She didn't have the best reputation in the marriage department as it was her fourth divorce. Nevertheless, their fans quickly bounced back to adoring the celebrity duo.
An Infamous Power Couple
The same ones that criticized Ross and Elliott were now so curious and couldn't wait to learn every little detail about their relationship. Their scandalous romantic involvement, paired with Elliott's "mooning" scene from The Legacy, attracted attention that was uncalled for.
The craze around the pair was so intense that they were featured in the cover of the 1979 Playgirl magazine's October issue, identifying them as "Hollywoods S**iest Couple." With so much publicity, came media surveillance, which rendered the idea of privacy a joke for the two. Elliott, however, didn't enjoy the free exposure.
The Honorable Man In Him Didn’t Put Up With It
If you knew the first thing about Elliott, you'd know that he values his respect and integrity above all else. It's precisely why he didn't entertain the kind of publicity that his controversial relationship was bringing. On top of that, the attention that his unclothed scene drew was also too much to handle.
Elliott wanted to achieve fame with his exceptional acting talents and not by showing his posterior on the big screen. He simply wants his fans to have positive impressions of him when they see or hear his name. An upright person like him wouldn't jeopardize anything for fame or money—especially not his health.
Health Over Money Any Day
In 1982, Elliott was ready and set to portray the role of a lawyer named Paul Marshall in The Ambush Murders. It was a movie with a great storyline, and many looked forward to it. The film, directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, was based on a true story of a black activist who was wrongfully convicted of murder.
As much as the nation was excited to see Elliott give life to one of its main characters perfectly, he became ill, driving him to back out. James Brolin subsequently played the role. Elliott was up and running again in no time, planning the next big step of his life.
He Put A Ring On It
Over the course of their six-year-long relationship, Elliott may have had second thoughts at least once, considering Ross's marriage (and divorce) history. But he loved her too much just to let her go. In 1984, their big day was finally here, and they vowed to love each other forever.
Even though it was Ross's fifth walk down the aisle, it was a first for her celebrity husband. Surely, many people expected a divorce in a couple of years, but you'd be delighted to know they are still blissfully married. It is, indeed, one of the most successful celebrity marriages in Hollywood. Life-changing decisions didn't give them any breathing room post-marriage...
Almost Jeopardized His Career For Love
As many newlywed couples do, Ross and Elliott took off to Hawaii to enjoy their honeymoon. It was all relaxing and fun until the latter's agent called with an audition for a movie named Mask. However, Elliott turned down the role as he didn't want to leave his bride mid-honeymoon.
He may not have had experience in the marriage department, but he certainly knew what not to do when it came to women. Elliott rejected a lead role in the name of love, but Ross wasn't ready to just let it go.
An Unforgettable And Kind Gesture
Right then and there, you could tell that Ross loved Elliott from the bottom of her heart as she convinced him to leave for the audition. The willingness to sacrifice your needs for the good of the other screams love in every direction.
Ross made the hardest yet right decision and in no way displayed any signs of selfishness. We're pretty sure Elliott still remembers and appreciates the kind gesture of his wife. Why? Because the tough call made by her earned him the recognition he had longed for over the years.
A Career Breakthrough
Being able to star in Mask was an opportunity of a lifetime for Elliott. It was special to him on both professional and personal levels. The role of Gar was Elliott's breakthrough role, and his portrayal contributed to the movie earning millions at the box office.
Winning the lead on Mask was also a celebratory moment for him because he was a huge fan of his co-star, the music legend Cher. According to Entertainment Weekly, Elliott and his mother bonded over watching The Sonny & Cher Show back in Portland. While Mask was still in production, Elliott also earned a brand new title...
The Responsibilities Of Parenthood
In the same year that Ross and Elliott tied the knot, the two of them started a new chapter in their book. The celebrity couple embraced parenthood as Ross gave birth to Cleo Rose Elliott on September 17, 1984. She is the only child they have.
Cleo may be the only woman Elliott loves more than his wife, as he told AZCentral that his daughter was the love of his life. He even revealed that he sees her almost every day, which means that she feels the same way. After all, "A father is a daughter's first love." A mother? In this case, not so much...
Celebrities Have Family Drama Too
Even though Cleo had a strong bond with her father, her relationship with Ross was quite the opposite. Their association was so terrifying that Ross claims her daughter attempted to harm her by stabbing her with a pair of scissors. She had to take the difficult step of filing a restraining order against her own child.
According to People, Ross claimed that Cleo had caused her verbal and emotional abuse since she was young, but her behavior worsened over time. We get that youngsters act up, but trying to stab her mother is a bit much. Luckily, Ross didn't suffer any serious damages and went on in her career.
Ross’s Career Summed Up
Ross, who is now 80 years old, launched her acting career in the early '60s. However, she did have a small role in Omnibus in 1957. She was born in Hollywood, so part of her probably always knew she'd make her way back.
Ross has won various accolades for her works, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Graduate, and Voyage of the Damned. Her most recent appearance was as Eileen in Attachments in 2019. Ross has gone through her fair share of troubles in life. Four divorces and the troubles with her daughter are only some of them. Do you think she and Cleo have made up?
Forgiveness And Moving Forward
According to Shared, the mother-daughter duo has made amends. In fact, Cleo is supposedly expressing her love for her mother all over social media now. The three are now a small but happy family. Perhaps Cleo went through a rough patch. Let's leave it at that.
Now aged 36, Cleo is also in show business although, her interests lie in modeling and music. You can often see her accompanying her parents to red carpet events, because why not? After all, she has to try at least to keep up with her father's Western films.
A Western Movie Superstar
It is safe to say that Elliott's acting career would not exist without his movies from the Western genre. His self-presentation, attitude, and mannerisms complement his acting works in the said genre very well. Furthermore, roles in Westerns don't make him feel threatened or typecast.
Some of his most noteworthy works in the Western class are Tombstone, The Hi-Lo Country, and The Desperate Trail. His reputation as a Westerner is remarkable, which is why he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2007.
Where Does His Work Ethic Come From?
Elliott is one of those Hollywood stars who know how to handle being the perfect blend of steamy and honorable. Not once has he lost his self-respect for money or fame. It's all thanks to his father, who instilled such a work ethic in him.
Growing up, Elliott saw firsthand how hardworking his father was. Elliott Sr. did not forget to instill these values in his son. It's upsetting to know that he never got to witness how much his son looks up to and praises him. Another outstanding feature of his is his daring voice.
The Iconic Baritone Voice
If you have ever heard Elliott talk, then you know that's not a voice that you come across often. He possesses a baritone voice that he claims got deeper and deeper as he aged. Interesting! Elliott has used it to make money by doing voice works in films, TV series, video games, and even commercials.
Did you know that he is the voice behind Smokey Bear? It is regarded as Elliott's best voice work up to date. Furthermore, he did many TV commercials for the beef industry—both to make some extra cash and help ranchers.
Nothing That His Will Can’t Accomplish
You know how the saying goes, "If there's a will, there's a way." Well, Elliott is a living, breathing example of that phrase. Despite his father's objections and challenges of the career, he lived to thrive, doing what he loves. There's so much power in passion.
However, showing off his skills in front of the camera isn't everything he did. Elliott's talents go beyond the realms of acting and veer into writing, producing, and even singing. Did you know that he did a cover of "I Won't Back Down" for the animated film The Barnyard?
Performances Are Selective But Are Of The Highest Quality
Like many prolific actors, Elliott, too, is very picky when it comes to the roles he chooses to play. It's okay because picky usually equals high quality. A filmmaker would be lucky if he shows interest in acting in their films after reading the scripts.
Elliott never forgets to abide by his principles. For instance, he was initially asked to play Brad Wesley in the 1989 movie Road House. However, he refused it as he didn't "connect" with the character, but later happily accepted Wade Garrett's role in the same film.
Remembering The First Helping Hand
Elliott was beginning to make a name for himself in the film industry during a time when a studio system controlled each step of the production. One of his dear friends to this day, Tom Selleck, aided his introduction to the world of acting.
Speaking of Selleck, have you noticed that he has a bushy mustache and a pretty low voice like Elliott? As it appears, the two friends have more than interests in common. They share physical similarities and are both popular in the Western film genre. Elliott thinks Selleck's mustache is better, but we think he's just modest.
Looking Back…
As you can figure by now, Elliott is a humble man. He acts as his own critic and isn't afraid to publicly point out his flaws if he sees any. One of the only things Elliott regrets is not taking acting lessons as a child. It would've undoubtedly helped smooth things with his father growing up.
Elliott's humbleness is also displayed in little gestures like remembering the names of his crew members and being grateful for their work behind the scenes. A far cry from some egomaniacs in the industry, don't you agree?
Deserving Of More Accolades
Knowing all that, we're surprised at the lack of awards his trophy cabinet holds. He has only received a handful of awards like a Critics' Choice Television Award for Justified and a few others for A Star Is Born. Looking at his acting skills, we think he is underrated on the awards front.
Nevertheless, Elliott has received countless nominations, including for an Oscar, two Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. We're glad he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. Interestingly, he is also an early inductee of the International Moustache Hall of Fame.
The Riches Of A Lifetime
With that being said, let's take a minute to look at the riches Elliott has made during his career that spans over five decades. Surprisingly, his net worth stands at $10 million. While it's plenty for most of us, we think an actor of such great skill should've earned more.
However, when it comes to real estate, Elliott and Ross reportedly own a home in Harrisburg, Oregon. Furthermore, according to The Register-Guard, he also inherited their family home in Portland, Oregon, following his mother's passing in 2012. The Ross-Elliott couple currently resides in a seaside ranch in Malibu.
What Has He Been Up To Lately?
On August 9, 2020, Elliott celebrated his 76th birthday. Despite his mature age, the veteran actor still hasn't decided to take a step back from acting. We guess retirement simply isn't an option when you are doing something you truly love.
Some of Elliott's most recent work includes producing and starring as Beau Bennett in the Netflix series The Ranch, Lee Hayden in The Hero, and Phil in Grace and Frankie. He is currently wrapping up his voice provisions as Ward Hill Lamon in the upcoming documentary, The Gettysburg Address.
Appreciative Of His Inspirations
If you came this far, you have just gone through Sam Elliott's life story. We can all agree that he is an amazing actor, whose name will go down in history. But the real question is, who or what inspired his will and success? The simple answer is his parents.
From Nelson's (his father's) disapproval to his mother's encouragement, every event fired up his journey to becoming an internationally recognized actor. The legendary actor lives by the mantra, "Live in the present and focus on the tasks that are currently in front of you." As should all of us!