Sam Elliott is 82 years old. Born Samuel Pack Elliott on August 9, 1944, in Sacramento, California, he is one of Hollywood's most recognizable Western actors, famous for his deep voice, trademark mustache, and roles in Tombstone, The Big Lebowski, A Star Is Born, and the Yellowstone prequel 1883.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Pack Elliott |
| Date of Birth | August 9, 1944 |
| Age | 82 |
| Birthplace | Sacramento, California |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Tombstone, The Big Lebowski, A Star Is Born, 1883 |
| Wife | Katharine Ross (married since 1984) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Cleo Rose Elliott) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $10–$20 million (estimates vary by outlet) |
Early Life
Samuel Pack Elliott was born at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento, California, to Glynn Mamie Sparks, a physical training instructor and teacher, and Henry Nelson Elliott, who worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior. When he was 13, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where he grew up in the northeast part of the city.
Elliott graduated from David Douglas High School in 1962 and later attended Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. It was there, performing in a stage production of Guys and Dolls, that a local newspaper review suggested he should become a professional actor. After his father's death, Elliott moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s, working construction jobs while auditioning for roles.
Acting Career
Elliott's earliest screen appearances were small parts in The Way West (1967) and an uncredited role as a card player in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). He also guest-starred on television Westerns including Gunsmoke. His first real breakthrough came with the lead role in the drama Lifeguard (1976), followed by starring roles in several Louis L'Amour adaptations.
When Westerns returned to the big screen in the 1990s, Elliott was ready. He played Virgil Earp in Tombstone (1993), a performance that cemented his cowboy credentials. He earned a Golden Globe nomination for Conagher (1991) and a second Golden Globe plus an Emmy nomination for Buffalo Girls (1995). In 1998, he created the memorable narrator "The Stranger" in the cult classic The Big Lebowski.
Through the 2000s, Elliott delivered strong supporting turns in We Were Soldiers (2002), Hulk (2003), Ghost Rider (2007), and Up in the Air (2009). He starred in the Netflix series The Ranch (2016–2020) and earned a Critics' Choice Television Award for Justified.
His career reached a new peak when he was cast as Bobby Maine in A Star Is Born (2018), opposite Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, along with a National Board of Review win and Screen Actors Guild and Critics' Choice nominations. He then portrayed Shea Brennan in the Paramount+ Western miniseries 1883 (2021–2022), which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award. More recently, he joined the Taylor Sheridan series Landman as T.L. Norris, the father of Billy Bob Thornton's character.
Recent Years: Landman, Season 3, and Staying Busy
Elliott's career entered another strong run when he joined the second season of Taylor Sheridan's Paramount+ drama Landman in 2025 as T.L. Norris, the aging father of Billy Bob Thornton's lead character, Tommy Norris. Season 2 premiered on November 16, 2025, and ran through January 18, 2026; its debut reportedly set a Paramount+ record with more than 9.2 million streaming views in its first two days.
His performance drew strong critical attention. TVLine named Elliott its Performer of the Week for the season 2 episode "Handsome Touched Me" (aired January 4, 2026), highlighting how he briefly let his character's emotional armor slip to reveal a yearning softness underneath. In a May 26, 2026 interview with Variety, Elliott reflected on how the role mirrors his own life. "I've had a hard life. I've been an athlete all my life, and I've been a laborer all my life, and I'm paying for it now," he said. Of a scene in which T.L. falls into a swimming pool and cannot get himself out, he added: "The truth of it is [that scene] is very true to where I am at this point in my life physically. Not mentally, but physically."
Landman was officially renewed for a third season on December 5, 2025, and production began in Fort Worth, Texas, in early October 2026, with Elliott confirmed to return. In earlier interviews, he revealed that after the grueling 1883 shoot he had considered taking an extended break from acting — but the Landman role pulled him back, and he has signaled he is fully committed to the series. Elliott has also been reported to have joined the voice cast of Grendel, a live-action adaptation of the 1971 John Gardner novel, voicing The Dragon alongside Jeff Bridges, Bryan Cranston, and Dave Bautista.
Fans can also rest easy about his health: a false "R.I.P. Sam Elliott" Facebook page that went viral in October 2026 claiming he had died was confirmed as a complete hoax. As of October 2026, Elliott is alive and actively filming Landman season 3. He turned 82 in August 2026, with milestone coverage noting a screen career approaching its seventh decade.
Wife and Family
Sam Elliott has been married to actress Katharine Ross since 1984, making their union one of Hollywood's longest-lasting marriages. Ross is best known for her roles in The Graduate (1967) and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). The two first met on the set of Butch Cassidy — Elliott had a small uncredited role in the film — and reconnected years later while filming the horror movie The Legacy (1978).
For Elliott, this is his first marriage; it is Ross's fifth. The couple has one daughter, Cleo Rose Elliott, born in 1984, who works as a musician, model, and songwriter. The family divides its time between properties in Malibu, California, and Oregon.
The couple still makes the occasional joint public appearance — they walked the red carpet together at the 2026 Actor Awards (the rebranded SAG Awards) on March 1, 2026, in coordinated black suits, drawing warm coverage of their four-decade marriage. Ross, born January 29, 1940, turned 86 in January 2026.
Net Worth
Sam Elliott's net worth is estimated at $10–$20 million, according to published estimates from biography and finance outlets. The wide range reflects the fact that no audited figure has ever been made public. His wealth comes from a screen career spanning more than five decades — including film, television, and voice work — plus lucrative commercial voiceover campaigns for brands such as Dodge, Coors, and Ram Trucks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sam Elliott? Sam Elliott was born on August 9, 1944, making him 82 years old.
Who is Sam Elliott's wife? Sam Elliott has been married to actress Katharine Ross since 1984. She is known for her roles in The Graduate and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
What is Sam Elliott's net worth? His net worth is estimated at $10–$20 million by various outlets, though no confirmed figure has been published.
What are Sam Elliott's most famous roles? His best-known roles include Virgil Earp in Tombstone, The Stranger in The Big Lebowski, Bobby Maine in A Star Is Born, and Shea Brennan in 1883.
Does Sam Elliott have children? Yes, he has one daughter, Cleo Rose Elliott, a musician and model.