Jack Elam

Jack Elam

Born November 13, 1920 (Age: 105) Miami, Gila, Arizona, USA

Biography

Colorful American character actor equally adept at vicious killers or grizzled sidekicks. As a child he worked in the cotton fields. He attended Santa Monica Junior College in California and subsequently became an accountant and, at one time, manager of the Bel Air Hotel. Elam got his first movie job by trading his accounting services for a role. In short time he became one of the most memorable supporting players in Hollywood, thanks not only to his near-demented screen persona but also to an out-of-kilter left eye, sightless from a childhood fight. He appeared with great aplomb in Westerns and gangster films alike, and in later years played to wonderful effect in comedic roles.
Colorful American character actor equally adept at vicious killers or grizzled sidekicks. As a child he worked in the cotton fields. He attended Santa Monica Junior College in California and subsequently became an accountant and, at one time, manager of the Bel Air Hotel. Elam got his first movie job by trading his accounting services for a role. In short time he became one of the most memorable supporting players in Hollywood, thanks not only to his near-demented screen persona but also to an out-of-kilter left eye, sightless from a childhood fight. He appeared with great aplomb in Westerns and gangster films alike, and in later years played to wonderful effect in comedic roles.
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Filmography

Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western

Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western

1997 as Self Age: 76
Bonanza: The Return

Bonanza: The Return

1993 as Buckshot Age: 73
Uninvited

Uninvited

1993 as Grady Age: 72
Shadow Force

Shadow Force

1992 as Tommy Age: 72
Suburban Commando

Suburban Commando

1991 as Col. Dustin 'Dusty' McHowell Age: 70
The Giant of Thunder Mountain

The Giant of Thunder Mountain

1990 as Hezekiah Crow Age: 70
Big Bad John

Big Bad John

1990 as Jake Calhoun Age: 69
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?

Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?

1988 as Boone Age: 68
Once Upon a Texas Train

Once Upon a Texas Train

1988 as Jason Fitch Age: 67
I Am Not a Freak

I Am Not a Freak

1987 as Self Age: 66
Hawken's Breed

Hawken's Breed

1987 as Tackett Age: 66
Cannonball Run II

Cannonball Run II

1984 as Doc Age: 63
Skyward Christmas

Skyward Christmas

1981 as Clay Haller Age: 61
Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.

Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.

1981 as Troscliar Boudreaux Age: 60
The Cannonball Run

The Cannonball Run

1981 as Doctor Age: 60
The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite

The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite

1981 as Seth Beaumont Age: 60
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

1979 as Big Mac Age: 58
The Norseman

The Norseman

1978 as Death Dreamer Age: 57
Hot Lead & Cold Feet

Hot Lead & Cold Feet

1978 as Rattlesnake Age: 57
Lacy and the Mississippi Queen

Lacy and the Mississippi Queen

1978 as Willie Red Fire Age: 57
Huckleberry Finn

Huckleberry Finn

1978 as King Age: 57
A Knife for the Ladies

A Knife for the Ladies

1974 as Jarrod (Sheriff) Age: 53
Sidekicks

Sidekicks

1974 as Boss Age: 53
Shootout in a One-Dog Town

Shootout in a One-Dog Town

1974 as Handy Age: 53
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

1973 as Alamosa Bill Kermit Age: 52
The Red Pony

The Red Pony

1973 as Granddad Age: 52
The Daughters of Joshua Cabe

The Daughters of Joshua Cabe

1972 as Bitterroot Age: 51
The Last Escape of Billy the Kid

The Last Escape of Billy the Kid

1972 as Pat Garrett Age: 51
Cat Ballou

Cat Ballou

1971 as Kid Sheleen Age: 50
Plimpton! Shoot-Out at Rio Lobo

Plimpton! Shoot-Out at Rio Lobo

1970 as Self Age: 50
The Over the Hill Gang

The Over the Hill Gang

1969 as Sheriff Clyde Barnes Age: 48
Support Your Local Sheriff!

Support Your Local Sheriff!

1969 as Jake Age: 48
Ride a Northbound Horse

Ride a Northbound Horse

1969 as Sheriff Age: 48
Once Upon a Time in the West

Once Upon a Time in the West

1968 as Frank's Gunman Age: 48
4 for Texas

4 for Texas

1963 as Dobie Age: 43
Pocketful of Miracles

Pocketful of Miracles

1961 as Cheesecake Age: 41
The Comancheros

The Comancheros

1961 as Horseface (Comanchero) Age: 41
The Last Sunset

The Last Sunset

1961 as Ed Hobbs Age: 40
The Girl in Lovers Lane

The Girl in Lovers Lane

1960 as Jesse Age: 39
The Slowest Gun in the West

The Slowest Gun in the West

1960 as Ike Dalton Age: 39
Edge of Eternity

Edge of Eternity

1959 as Bill Ward Age: 38
The Gun Runners

The Gun Runners

1958 as Arnold Age: 37
Thunder Over Arizona

Thunder Over Arizona

1956 as Slats Callahan Age: 35
Pardners

Pardners

1956 as Pete Age: 35
Jubal

Jubal

1956 as McCoy Age: 35
Artists and Models

Artists and Models

1955 as Ivan Age: 34
Kismet

Kismet

1955 as Hasan-Ben Age: 34
The Man from Laramie

The Man from Laramie

1955 as Chris Boldt Age: 34
Wichita

Wichita

1955 as Al Age: 34
Moonfleet

Moonfleet

1955 as Damen Age: 34
Kiss Me Deadly

Kiss Me Deadly

1955 as Charlie Max Age: 34
Man Without a Star

Man Without a Star

1955 as Knife Murderer (uncredited) Age: 34
Tarzan's Hidden Jungle

Tarzan's Hidden Jungle

1955 as Burger Age: 34
Vera Cruz

Vera Cruz

1954 as Tex Age: 34
Cattle Queen of Montana

Cattle Queen of Montana

1954 as Yost Age: 34
Princess of the Nile

Princess of the Nile

1954 as Basra Age: 33
Jubilee Trail

Jubilee Trail

1954 as Whitey Age: 33
The Far Country

The Far Country

1954 as Frank Newberry Age: 33
Ride Clear of Diablo

Ride Clear of Diablo

1954 as Tim Lowerie Age: 33
Appointment in Honduras

Appointment in Honduras

1953 as Castro Age: 32
The Moonlighter

The Moonlighter

1953 as Slim Age: 32
Gun Belt

Gun Belt

1953 as Rusty Kolloway Age: 32
Ride, Vaquero!

Ride, Vaquero!

1953 as Barton Age: 32
Count the Hours!

Count the Hours!

1953 as Max Verne Age: 32
American Guerrilla in the Philippines

American Guerrilla in the Philippines

1950 as The Speaker Age: 29
High Lonesome

High Lonesome

1950 as Smiling Man Age: 29
A Ticket to Tomahawk

A Ticket to Tomahawk

1950 as Fargo Age: 29
One Way Street

One Way Street

1950 as Arnie (uncredited) Age: 29
Key to the City

Key to the City

1950 as Councilman (uncredited) Age: 29
The Sundowners

The Sundowners

1950 as Earl Boyce Age: 29