And with that pioneer spirit, iconic drawl and trademark handlebar mustache, it's easy to believe him as one of Hollywood's quintessential cowboys. But not everyone believed in Sam when he was younger. "My father once said, 'You haven't got a snowball's chance in hell in Hollywood."" And when he passed away when Sam was 18, "He died thinking, 'Man, this kid is going to go down the wrong path.' I think on some level that was either hard on me or made me more focused in my resolve to have a career." Of course, Sam, who turns 80 on Aug. 9, has enjoyed great success as an actor and much more, thanks to daughter Cleo and his wife, actress Katharine Ross, with whom he celebrates a 40th anniversary this year. "The two things that I wanted in my life were to have a movie career and to have a family.
And it's an embarrassment of riches that I've got both."
1 1970 ON A MISSION
For Sam, a big break came with a recurring part opposite Peter Graves on the fifth season of TV's Mission: Impossible. "Peter was a real mentor with me. I spent a lot of time talking to him, and he was really an encouraging character in my life at a time when I was still trying to find my way."
2 1976 GUARD UP
"I had my shot [at being a big star]," said Sam about his role in Lifeguard. But, when he disagreed about its marketing while doing press, "I think I kind of f***ed myself out of a career on that level from being too honest and too opinionated and not really very smart at the same time. I think I scared people off.
I'm lucky that I'm still working after some of the stupid s*** I said."
Esta historia es de la edición July 15, 2024 de Closer US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 15, 2024 de Closer US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
GENA ROWLANDS : The Screen Legend Has Alzheimer's
She gave a heart-wrenching performance as a woman with Alzheimer's disease in the beloved romantic drama The Notebook.
SAM ELLIOTT : MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures
\"I'MA sixth-generation Texan, even though I was born in California,\" proclaimed Samuel Pack Elliott.
Memories of Our Father, MICHAEL LANDON
HIS CHILDREN SHARE MEMORIES OF THEIR WISE, STRICT AND FUNNY DAD
KATHLEEN TURNER : What I've Learned at 70
THE FEARLESS ACTRESS MAKES NO 70 APOLOGIES FOR STAYING TRUE TO HERSELF
MEL HARRIS : Don't Wait UNTIL TOMORROW
The Thirtysomething alum shares favorite memories, life lessons and more
5 ESSENTIAL SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT FOR FUN IN THE SUN
Veggie-Packed ITALIAN DELIGHTS
Travel to the Beautiful Country from the comfort of your kitchen with these simply delicious dinners
40 Years of THE BRAT PACK
THE HOTTEST YOUNG ACTORS OF THE 1980S LOOK BACK AT THE LABEL THAT CHANGED THEIR LIVES FOR BETTER AND WORSE
Stars Who Went from RAGS to RICHES
THESE FAMED PERFORMERS RAISED THEMSELVES UP FROM NOTHING
GOLDIE HAWN FEARS FOR HER SAFETY
Goldie Hawn and her longtime partner, Kurt Russell, are falling out of love - with Los Angeles.