My husband and I
have become recent fans of the Western movie channel on TV, mainly because we
don’t like many of today’s movies and shows. We’ve had a great time watching
Gunsmoke, Bonanza and a vast array of cowboy movies made from the 50s to the
80s. Last night we watched Jack Elam in Support
Your Local Sheriff. It seems each time we watch feature films or
television, Jack Elam is in nearly every show. Curiosity got the best of me,
and I turned to my friend, Google, to find out about the movies he’d made.
His is an
interesting life story. Jack Elam didn’t start out to be an actor. He picked
cotton with his family as a child. After graduating from Santa Monica Junior
College, he became an accountant. Among his clients were movie mogul, Samuel
Goldwyn, and the Hopalong Cassidy production company.
Jack played bit
parts, usually uncredited, in the films “Trailin’ West” (1949), “Quicksand”
(1950) and “One Way Street” (1950). Those three bit parts started one of the
most prolific careers in Hollywood. He helped arrange financing for the Robert
Preston film “The Sundowners” in exchange for a larger role. Then came a
tough-guy part in 1951′s “Rawhide,” starring Tyrone Power, which helped make
him a star.
Elam was equally
skillful at playing malicious killers, grizzled sidekicks or comedy characters.
His most distinguishing characteristic was his off-kilter left eye. He lost the
sight in it when he was stabbed with a pencil at a Boy Scout meeting when he
was twelve.
Now you just
couldn’t make that up.
Elam appeared on
over twenty episodes of "Gunsmoke" during the 1950s and 60s, as well
as several television movies based on Louis L'Amour novels.
His more than 80
feature films include memorable performances in "High Noon" (1952),
"The Far Country" (1955), "Once Upon a Time in the West"
(1969), "Rio Lobo" (1970), "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid"
(1973), and "The Cannonball Run" (1980).
He made his TV movie debut
in 1969 in The Over-the-Hill Gang. The TV reunion show, Bonanza: Under Fire
(1995) was his last screen credit.
See, I told you he
was in almost everything done during this period. He even starred with Raquel Welch.
Jack Elam died at
his home in 2003 in Ashland, Oregon, but he’s left his mark on the television
and movie industry and a myriad of fans of all ages.
Thanks for the
good times, Jack.
Are you a Jack
Elam fan?
What is your favorite Jack Elam television show or movie?
16 comments:
He was a keeper!
I love Jack Elam. He is one of my favorite actors. I watch western movies all the time. And yes your right he is in a lot of films.
I agree, he always brought a uniqueness to his characters. I didn't know he lived in Oregon. Fun information!
I don't have a favorite role he was in, I loved them all!! If he was in it, and I saw him I'd watch him. He was one of a kind!
Seems like we all agree. Jack Elam was one of the best.
Charles Dreibelbis
One of my favorites was the part he played in ‘Night of the Grizzly’
I loved him
Same here, the best.
Great actor! R.I.P. Mr. Jack Elam.
He was perfection, his characters were brought to life by his incredible talent.
Jack Elm was one of the great western actors. I grew up, watching him as a kid, and throughout my life. I’ll miss that Cowboy.!
Pepper Roberts... I loved watching Jack. One of my many favorites. Support Your Local Sheriff and so many others. You will be missed Jack.
Jack U be the best BAD Man CowBoy every
Miss ya with Love
Morgan
I know him for every episode of The Rifleman that he was in!!! He was a legend!!
Murry Christmas was my favorite.
To get a glimpse into
Jack's real life great guy attitude Google
Jack Elam David letterman interview
And I had already
Known he was a legendary low stakes card gambler on sets
To pass the time .
Reading years ago he retired to purdy much Oregon/ Ca
State line was a great
High for me .
Seemed perfect for him
I category him in the George Kennedy /Earnest borgnine/ Lou Grant great guys group
4sure .Great job Gentlemen, Hollywood picked 4 great guys
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