8 The Military Guy
Sam was a bit typecast right from the start. Sam was a tough, strong, outdoorsy actor. Sam played a variety of military roles throughout his career. This was partly due to Sam’s tall frame and commanding presence. Sam was a natural choice to be a soldier in his youth and an army officer later in life.
Sam’s acting seems to have more to it than just reality. While he was still in college, he worked construction jobs and auditioned for the California Air National Guard. Sam credits his brief time in the military with helping him to develop his acting skills and discipline.
7 His Break Into Westerns
Sam Elliot was a solid, well-respected actor with a head on his shoulder. He even received positive feedback about his acting. He didn’t become a superstar overnight. His humble start in showbiz began with an uncredited role in a Douglas western movie called “The Way West.” He then went on to appear in several episodes of the police series called “Felony Squad.”
Over the next few years, he took on minor roles. These early roles were crucial in helping him develop his acting skills and get noticed by the right people. People with connections were the ones that helped Elliott take his career to the next level. Elliott’s future looked brighter.