Some of Sam Elliott’s Best Roles in Hollywood (Do You Remember His Movie with Cher?!)
Sam Elliott is 79 today and we feel compelled to honor him by going over some of his best roles. You probably recognize Elliott because of his glorious mustache or his recognizable voice. While he’s done some pretty fun voice work including Lady and the Tramp and Marmaduke, today we are going to talk about the roles that you physically see him in. He’s been working steadily since appearing as a featured card player in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969. Most recently, he appeared in the Yellowstone prequel series 1883 and voiced himself in Family Guy.
‘Mask’ (1985)
Everett Collection
This movie is considered the big breakout role that secured his star status in Hollywood. He plays Cher‘s boyfriend and a member of a motorcycle gang.
‘Road House’ (1989)
MGM/Everett Collection
We can’t forget Elliott’s role in Road House as he plays a mentor to the late Patrick Swayze‘s character James Dalton.
‘Prancer’ (1989)
Orion Pictures/Everett Collection
If you’re more into heartwarming Christmas movies, Elliott did a great job in the film Prancer, which follows a little girl who believes that she has found one of Santa’s reindeer and nurses him back to health. Elliot plays her widowed father and it is sure to tug at your heartstrings.
‘Conagher’ (1991)
TNT/Everett Collection
Elliott’s role as Conn Conagher in this TV movie secured him as a quality Western movie star. He was lucky enough to work alongside his real-life wife, Katharine Ross in the film and showcased their amazing chemistry. The two have been married since 1984 after meeting while filming the horror movie The Legacy. They did both work on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid back in the day but didn’t actually meet during filming.
‘Gettysburg’ (1993)
Erik Heinila/TNT/Everett Collection
Elliott plays Brigadier General John Buford in this war film following the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. A great one for history buffs or war movie lovers. The dramatic film also stars Jeff Daniels and Martin Sheen (who also recently celebrated a birthday!).
‘Tombstone’ (1993)
John Bramley/Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection
Another western with a star-studded cast. Elliot plays Virgil Earp, the brother of Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), and follows the events of the O.K. Corral. It also stars Bill Paxton, Stephen Lang, and Val Kilmer.
‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)
Gramercy Pictures/Everett Collection
Elliott’s deep voice is perfect as a narrator and he does just that in this classic film. The movie also stars Jeff Bridges as “The Dude” and while it is now a cult classic, it wasn’t always popular and was actually a box office flop.
‘A Star Is Born’ (2018)
Warner Bros./Everett Collection
In one of his more recent films, Elliott starred in the reboot of A Star is Born starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. Elliott earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Bobby Maine in the film.
What is your favorite Sam Elliott role? Let us know in the comments!
Wild West- Heroes & Villains
November 2022
Celebrates the unique sense of justice, compassion and adventure in the Old West as seen on TV and in the movies
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