Sam Elliott's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: VALERIE MACON/Getty

01of 11Sam Elliott’s Early LifeCBS/GettySam Elliottwas born in Sacramento, California on Aug. 9, 1944. When he was 14 years old, he moved with his parents to Portland, Oregon where he spent the majority of his youth.He studied psychology and english at the University of Oregon for two semesters before transferring to Clark College where he was cast in a theater production ofGuys and Dolls. He dropped out of school after his father died of a heart attack.

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Sam Elliott’s Early Life

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Sam Elliottwas born in Sacramento, California on Aug. 9, 1944. When he was 14 years old, he moved with his parents to Portland, Oregon where he spent the majority of his youth.

He studied psychology and english at the University of Oregon for two semesters before transferring to Clark College where he was cast in a theater production ofGuys and Dolls. He dropped out of school after his father died of a heart attack.

02of 11Sam Elliott’s Breakthrough RoleParamount/GettyAfter dropping out of college, Elliott moved to Los Angeles, California to take on acting — a pursuit his father was not supportive of.Throughout the 1960s, Elliott established himself as a character actor. He made a name for himselfin the Western genre, specifically, with his memorably smoky, deep voice.His first television credit came in 1969 when he landed a minor role in ABC’sJudd for the Defense. While Elliott nabbed several stints on the small screen throughout the early 1970s, his film breakthrough came with the role of Rick Carlson in 1976’sLifeguard.

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Sam Elliott’s Breakthrough Role

Paramount/Getty

After dropping out of college, Elliott moved to Los Angeles, California to take on acting — a pursuit his father was not supportive of.

Throughout the 1960s, Elliott established himself as a character actor. He made a name for himselfin the Western genre, specifically, with his memorably smoky, deep voice.

His first television credit came in 1969 when he landed a minor role in ABC’sJudd for the Defense. While Elliott nabbed several stints on the small screen throughout the early 1970s, his film breakthrough came with the role of Rick Carlson in 1976’sLifeguard.

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Sam Elliott’s Personal Life

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Sam Elliott’s Roles in Louis L’Amour Adaptations

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The latter earned him his firstGolden Globenomination for best actor in a miniseries or television film. He also starred alongside his wife.

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Sam Elliott’s First Emmy Award Nomination

For his work in the role of Wild Bill Hickok, Elliott was nominated in the outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie category.

His work inBuffalo Girlsalso earned him his secondGolden Globenomination in the same category.

06of 11Sam Elliott’s Supporting Roles in the Early 2000sColumbia/Marvel Enterprises/Kobal/ShutterstockAfter dabbling in voice roles, like narrating the story ofThe Big Lebowskiin 1998, he began taking roles in major films throughout the 2000s.In 2002, he portrayed Command Sergeant Major Basil L. Plumley inWe Were Soldiers. The following year, he played General Thaddeus Ross in 2003’sHulk.In 2007, he played Carter Slade in the comic book adaptation ofGhost Rider. The film was a box office success, withNicolas CageandEva Mendesas leads.

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Sam Elliott’s Supporting Roles in the Early 2000s

Columbia/Marvel Enterprises/Kobal/Shutterstock

After dabbling in voice roles, like narrating the story ofThe Big Lebowskiin 1998, he began taking roles in major films throughout the 2000s.

In 2002, he portrayed Command Sergeant Major Basil L. Plumley inWe Were Soldiers. The following year, he played General Thaddeus Ross in 2003’sHulk.

In 2007, he played Carter Slade in the comic book adaptation ofGhost Rider. The film was a box office success, withNicolas CageandEva Mendesas leads.

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Sam Elliott’s Netflix Work

Saeed Adyani/Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock

He became a series regular, playing Beau Bennett oppositeAshton KutcherandDanny Masterson. The series was released in 2016,wrapped in January 2020and produced eight seasons in between.

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Sam Elliott’s Academy Award Nomination

Sam Elliott, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.Jerod Harris/Getty

2018 was a monumental year for Elliot, who received critical acclaim for his work inA Star is Born— the role that landed him his first,long-awaited Academy Award nominationthe following year.

09of 11Sam Elliott’s National Board of Review HonorWarner Bros PicturesTheNational Board of Reviewalso recognized Elliott for his work inA Star is Born,honoring him with their prestigious award for best supporting actor.

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Sam Elliott’s National Board of Review Honor

Warner Bros Pictures

TheNational Board of Reviewalso recognized Elliott for his work inA Star is Born,honoring him with their prestigious award for best supporting actor.

10of 11Sam Elliot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame CeremonyTommaso Boddi/WireImageElliott was honored with his very own hand and footprint ceremony on the renownedHollywood Walk of Famein California on Jan. 8, 2019. Co-stars Cooper and Gaga stood alongside him for support.

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Sam Elliot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

Tommaso Boddi/WireImage

Elliott was honored with his very own hand and footprint ceremony on the renownedHollywood Walk of Famein California on Jan. 8, 2019. Co-stars Cooper and Gaga stood alongside him for support.

11of 11Sam Elliott’s Recent WorkEmerson Miller/Paramount+Currently, Elliott is continuing his work in Westerns and plays Shea Brennan in the Paramount+ miniseries1883. The show isa spinoffof the hit neo-WesternYellowstonestarringKevin Costneras John Dutton.The miniseries serves as a prequel toYellowstone, withTim McGrawandFaith Hillas the leads. Consisting of 10 episodes,1883was released on Paramount+ in December 2021 — and true to form,Elliott is outspoken about his opinions on theYellowstoneuniverse!

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Sam Elliott’s Recent Work

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Currently, Elliott is continuing his work in Westerns and plays Shea Brennan in the Paramount+ miniseries1883. The show isa spinoffof the hit neo-WesternYellowstonestarringKevin Costneras John Dutton.

The miniseries serves as a prequel toYellowstone, withTim McGrawandFaith Hillas the leads. Consisting of 10 episodes,1883was released on Paramount+ in December 2021 — and true to form,Elliott is outspoken about his opinions on theYellowstoneuniverse!

source: people.com