--- name: "Sam Elliott" canonical: "https://film.one/person/sam-elliott" fi1m_id: "sam-elliott" imdb_id: "nm0000385" tmdb_id: 16431 wikidata_id: "Q311314" roles: ["Actor"] born: "9 August 1944" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 74 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-05T03:00:13.169649+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Sam Elliott ## Identity Sam Elliott - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sam-elliott - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** sam-elliott - **IMDb ID:** nm0000385 - **TMDB ID:** 16431 - **Wikidata ID:** Q311314 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Elliott, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311314, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000385/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16431 Actor. Born 9 August 1944 in Sacramento, California, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 9 August 1944, Sacramento, California, USA - **Active:** 1969–present - **Also known as:** Samuel Pack Elliott - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 84 (1), 1980s 81 (1), 1990s 85 (1), 2000s 66 (4), 2010s 82 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 69 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 6, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Romance 2, Action 1, Comedy 1 - **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,441m across 8 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Elliott, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311314, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000385/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16431 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Up in the Air*](https://film.one/film/up-in-the-air.md) (74) - **Pluto TV:** [*The Contender*](https://film.one/film/the-contender.md) (64) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Golden Compass*](https://film.one/film/the-golden-compass.md) (54) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Sam Elliott > Sam Elliott can make authority sound effortless, but we rate him most when his deep Western drawl makes room for quieter feeling. *A Star Is Born* shows how much he can do without pressing for attention. In *A Star Is Born* (2018), Sam Elliott does not compete with Bradley Cooper for the most forceful moment in a scene. His Bobby Maine gives the supporting passages feeling without insisting that we stop to admire the performance. We were moved by that restraint, because it lets the emotion register without adding to a melodrama already doing plenty to secure our attention. The script may hurry towards the next crisis; Elliott does not seem to be waiting for his cue. The deep voice and Western drawl can do a good deal before a character has said anything of substance. Decades of Western television and film roles made Elliott an obvious choice for cowboys and tough men, with the moustache helping the introduction. *Mask* (1985) brought wider notice, while Virgil Earp in *Tombstone* (1993) kept him firmly within the Western. By *The Big Lebowski* (1998), in which he played the Stranger, the familiar figure had become something he was prepared to embrace. The danger is that recognition can spare a script the trouble of writing a person. The later move towards leading and prominent parts matters because it offers more room for a character to develop. *The Hero* (2017) gave him a lead written specifically for him; *1883* (2021) put him at the centre of another Western as Shea Brennan. Neither change requires him to abandon the qualities that made him recognisable. We are more interested in what happens when that authority meets uncertainty than in seeing him handed another character who already knows the answer. Bradley Cooper, directing as well as acting in *A Star Is Born*, makes good use of Elliott's restraint. We recommend the film, with a reservation about how little room the second half leaves for its rising singer's story. Elliott helps the supporting passages matter without demanding a slower, more solemn film every time he appears. That is useful judgement in a musical romance whose songs must carry as much feeling as its dialogue. Start with Bobby Maine if the voice is all that comes to mind. ## Biography Sam Elliott is an American actor. He made his film debut in *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969) and has worked extensively in film and television over six decades, frequently appearing in Westerns and other character roles. Elliott is known for performances in *The Big Lebowski* (1998), *Tombstone* (1993), *Mask* (1985), *Road House* (1989), *Hulk* (2003), *Ghost Rider* (2007), *Up in the Air* (2009) and *The Golden Compass* (2007). He played Bobby Maine in *A Star Is Born* (2018), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He has also voiced characters in *The Good Dinosaur* (2015) and *Family Guy*. Elliott was born in Sacramento, California. He is married to actress Katharine Ross. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, biography.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *A Star Is Born* (2018), Fi1m 82, as Bobby Maine — [page](https://film.one/film/a-star-is-born.md) - *Up in the Air* (2009), Fi1m 74, as Maynard Finch — [page](https://film.one/film/up-in-the-air.md) - *The Golden Compass* (2007), Fi1m 54, as Lee Scoresby — [page](https://film.one/film/the-golden-compass.md) - *Hulk* (2003), Fi1m 72, as Ross — [page](https://film.one/film/hulk.md) - *The Contender* (2000), Fi1m 64, as Kermit Newman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-contender.md) - *The Big Lebowski* (1998), Fi1m 85, as The Stranger — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md) - *Mask* (1985), Fi1m 81, as Gar — [page](https://film.one/film/mask.md) - *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969), Fi1m 84, as Card Player #2 — [page](https://film.one/film/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid.md) ## Complete filmography (105) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Gettysburg Address* (2025), as Ward Hill Lamon (voice) - *Landman* (2024), series, as Thomas 'T.L.' Norris - *1883* (2021), series, as Shea Brennan - *MacGruber* (2021), series, as Perry MacGruber - *Lady and the Tramp* (2019), as Trusty (voice) - *The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot* (2019), as Calvin Barr - *A Star Is Born* (2018), as Bobby Maine — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/a-star-is-born.md) - *Audubon* (2017), as Narrator (voice) - *The Hero* (2017), as Lee Hayden - *Rock Dog* (2016), as Fleetwood Yak (voice) - *The Ranch* (2016), series, as Beau - *Limbo* (2016), as The Dog (voice) - *A Tale of Two Cities: Part 2* (2015), as Narrator (voice) - *A Tale of Two Cities* (2015), as Narrator (voice) - *The Good Dinosaur* (2015), as Butch (voice) - *Digging for Fire* (2015), as Pop Pop - *Grandma* (2015), as Karl - *I'll See You in My Dreams* (2015), as Bill - *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Phil - *Draft Day* (2014), as Coach Moore - *The Company You Keep* (2012), as Mac McLeod - *November Christmas* (2011), as Jess Sanford - *The Big Bang* (2011), as Simon Kestral - *Marmaduke* (2010), as Chupadogra (voice) - *Justified* (2010), series, as Avery Markham — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/justified.md) - *Did You Hear About the Morgans?* (2009), as Clay Wheeler - *Up in the Air* (2009), as Maynard Finch — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/up-in-the-air.md) - *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as Ron Dunn — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md) - *The Golden Compass* (2007), as Lee Scoresby — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-golden-compass.md) - *Ghost Rider* (2007), as Carter Slade / Phantom Rider - *Barnyard* (2006), as Ben (voice) - *Avenger* (2006), as Calvin Dexter - *The Alibi* (2006), as The Mormon - *Thank You for Smoking* (2005), as Lorne Lutch - *Robot Chicken* (2005), series, as White Wine Narrator / Skito / Reporter (voice), Sam Elliott / Commissioner Gordon (voice) - *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Big John Tanner (voice) - *Off the Map* (2003), as Charley - *Hulk* (2003), as Ross — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hulk.md) - *We Were Soldiers* (2002), as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley - *Pretty When You Cry* (2001), as Detective Lukas Black - *The Contender* (2000), as Kermit Newman — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-contender.md) - *Fail Safe* (2000), as Congressman Raskob - *You Know My Name* (1999), as Bill Tilghman - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Sam Elliott (voice), Wild Wild West (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *The Hi-Lo Country* (1998), as Jim Ed Love - *The Big Lebowski* (1998), as The Stranger — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md) - *Dog Watch* (1997), as Charlie Falon - *Rough Riders* (1997), series, as Capt. Bucky O'Neil - *Woman Undone* (1996), as Ross Bishop - *Blue River* (1995), as Henry Howland - *The Final Cut* (1995), as John Pierce - *The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky* (1995), as Bill Bell - *Buffalo Girls* (1995), as Wild Bill Hickok - *The Desperate Trail* (1994), as Marshall Bill Speakes - *Tombstone* (1993), as Virgil Earp - *Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert* (1993), as Lyn Cutter - *Gettysburg* (1993), as Brig. Gen. John Buford - *Rush* (1991), as Dodd - *Conagher* (1991), as Conn Conagher · Producer, Teleplay - *Sibling Rivalry* (1990), as Charles Turner Jr. - *Prancer* (1989), as John Riggs - *Road House* (1989), as Wade Garrett - *Shakedown* (1988), as Richie Marks - *Fatal Beauty* (1987), as Mike Marshak - *The Quick and the Dead* (1987), as Con Villian - *Houston: The Legend of Texas* (1986), as Sam Houston - *The Blue Lightning* (1986), as Harry Wingate - *A Death in California* (1985), series, as D. Jordan Williams - *Mask* (1985), as Gar — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/mask.md) - *The Yellow Rose* (1983), series, as Chance McKenzie - *Travis McGee* (1983), as Travis McGee - *The Shadow Riders* (1982), as Dal Traven - *Murder in Texas* (1981), series, as Dr. John Hill - *Wild Times* (1980), series, as Hugh Cardiff - *The Sacketts* (1979), series, as Tell Sacket - *The Legacy* (1978), as Pete Danner - *Aspen* (1977), series, as Tom Keating - *Once an Eagle* (1976), series, as Sam Damon - *Lifeguard* (1976), as Rick Carlson - *I Will Fight No More Forever* (1975), as Captain Wood - *Police Woman* (1974), series, as Michael Gregory - *The Manhunter* (1974), series, Actor - *Evel Knievel* (1974), as Evel Knievel - *The Blue Knight* (1973), as Detective Charlie Bronski - *The Blue Knight* (1973), series, as Detective Charlie Bronski - *Doc Elliot* (1973), series, Actor - *Hawkins* (1973), series, as Luther Wilkes - *Molly and Lawless John* (1972), as Johnny Lawler - *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, as Ken Johnson - *Frogs* (1972), as Pickett Smith - *Assault on the Wayne* (1971), as Ens. William 'Bill' Sandover - *The Games* (1970), as Richie Robinson - *The Challenge* (1970), as Bryant - *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969), as Card Player #2 — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid.md) - *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Jack Houston - *The Mod Squad* (1968), series, Actor - *Lancer* (1968), series, Actor - *Land of the Giants* (1968), series, as Martin Reed - *Mannix* (1967), series, Actor - *The Way West* (1967), as Missouri Townsman (uncredited) - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Doug Robert — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *Felony Squad* (1966), series, Actor - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as SAC Kendall Lisbon - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Cory Soames - *Grendel*, as The Dragon ## Gallery - ![Sam Elliott](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-e9650ef09dc2.jpg) Sam Elliott — John Bauld from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/TIFF_2018_Samuel_Elliott_%2844592132581%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Actor Sam Elliott performs on stage during the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., May 26, 2019. The concert’s](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-55b86530d540.jpg) Actor Sam Elliott performs on stage during the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., May 26, 2019. The concert’s — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/190526-D-PB383-026_%2847942697082%29.jpg/1280px-190526-D-PB383-026_%2847942697082%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actor Sam Elliott performs on stage during the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., May 26, 2019. The concert’s](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-c963c79fe018.jpg) Actor Sam Elliott performs on stage during the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., May 26, 2019. The concert’s — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/190526-D-PB383-027_%2847942712768%29.jpg/1280px-190526-D-PB383-027_%2847942712768%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actor Sam Elliott, Director/Actor Bradley Cooper, and Actor/Singer Lada Gaga at the “A Star is Born” table at the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Mo (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-de6a5f7d789b.jpg) Actor Sam Elliott, Director/Actor Bradley Cooper, and Actor/Singer Lada Gaga at the “A Star is Born” table at the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Mo (2019) — Chris Miksanek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/CMiks_-_A_Star_is_Born_table_-_CCA_2019_01_13.jpg/1280px-CMiks_-_A_Star_is_Born_table_-_CCA_2019_01_13.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Sam Elliott](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-37250d8d5b8b.jpg) Sam Elliott — Image via TMDB - ![Sam Elliott](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-b3997d4e6a60.jpg) Sam Elliott — Image via TMDB - ![Sam Elliott](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-0d2f83987372.jpg) Sam Elliott — Image via TMDB - ![Actor Sam Elliott, Director/Actor Bradley Cooper, and Actor/Singer Lada Gaga at the “A Star is Born” table at the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Mo (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-fb9acde78c0f.jpg) Actor Sam Elliott, Director/Actor Bradley Cooper, and Actor/Singer Lada Gaga at the “A Star is Born” table at the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Mo (2019) — Chris Miksanek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/CMiks_-_A_Star_is_Born_table_-_CCA_2019_01_13_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-CMiks_-_A_Star_is_Born_table_-_CCA_2019_01_13_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![CSM Basil Plumley Reception: 12OCT2012](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-37b7224de3da.jpg) CSM Basil Plumley Reception: 12OCT2012 — The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center from Columbus, GA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/CSM_Basil_Plumley_Reception_12OCT2012_%288267187665%29.jpg/1280px-CSM_Basil_Plumley_Reception_12OCT2012_%288267187665%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Sam Elliott](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-fb0bb3f68d8a.jpg) Sam Elliott — Image via TMDB - ![Sam Elliott](https://film.one/media/person/129042/gallery-0be0df8e021f.jpg) Sam Elliott — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 2019: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *A Star Is Born* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sam-elliott