Imprint Ceremony: Sam Elliott
‘Star Is Born’ role proves iconic actor has the range he seems to have been born on
The iconic actor reflects on his long career and looks ahead to a busy future.
It’s impossible to have any discussion about actor and icon Sam Elliott without mentioning That Voice. Simultaneously rough and smooth, like gravel coated in melted butter, that distinc- tive, husky sound seems to emanate not from Elliott’s throat, but his very soul.
Filmmaker Brett Haley, who has made two recent films with Elliott, calls it “the most beautiful voice ever, special and singular.”
Bradley Cooper found it so distinctive, he used it as a launchpad for his character, country singer Jackson Maine, in his directorial debut “A Star Is Born” — and then cast Elliott as his brother, Bobby.
“We had never met and so I felt like I was taking a gamble,” Cooper admits of the day he invited Elliott over to his house to talk about the film. “I said, ‘I’m going to play something for you, and this might sound weird.’” He proceeded to play a recording of himself working on Jackson’s voice, with that distinct Elliott drawl.
Elliott, a true pro, wasn’t fazed, noting: “I figured if he committed to my voice, I had a good chance of getting the part.”
Not only did Elliott land the role, but the 74-yearold actor is enjoying some of the biggest attention and accolades of his long career. The film is that rare blockbuster beloved by audiences and critics alike, with Elliott already being named supporting actor of the year by the National Board of Review and landing two SAG Award nominations, one for his performance and one for his work in the film’s ensemble. And on Jan. 7, he’ll receive an honor reserved for the most iconic of stars when he imprints his hands and feet in cement in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre among such luminaries as George Burns and Meryl Streep.
“You can’t be cynical about this one, it’s just an honor,” Elliott says simply. “That’s about as good as it gets, in terms of recognition.” (Suggestions he should also imprint his famous mustache are met with a bemused: “That might be interesting.”)
But for Elliott, it’s never been about the attention, it’s always been about the work. His performance roots can be traced back as far as the age of 4, when he sang in a cherub choir, something he credits for building that strong voice. At 9, he’d go to the local theater in Sacramento to watch the matinees and even then, “I had a pretty clear vision of thinking, ‘That looks like fun, I want to do that.’”
His family moved to Portland, Ore., when he was a teen, where he met his high school drama teacher, Ramona Reynolds, whom he refers to “as the greatest mentor I ever had.” He did some civic theater and studied at both the University of Oregon and Clark College. He made his way to Los Angeles, where he worked construction while studying acting. A roommate’s girlfriend asked him to help her with an audition scene for the prestigious Film Industry Workshop on the Columbia Pictures lot.
“She didn’t get in, but they called and asked if I wanted to do it,” he admits.
As a contract player for 20th Century Fox he landed television work in such shows as “Felony Squad” and “Judd for the Defense,” work he enjoyed.