Sam Elliott was declared dead in a bizarre hoax earlier this year, and recent photos posted by his daughter have seemingly confirmed what we all suspected…
The legendary actor is best known for his deep voice, iconic mustache, and the long list of films and TV shows he’s appeared in.
I know when I think of Sam Elliott, I imagine him in a Western. Between his appearance and his voice, it’s hard not to picture him as a cowboy.
Fortunately, the award-winning actor is alive and well, having recently spent time with his wife of almost 40 years, Katharine Ross, and his stunning daughter, Cleo Rose, who turned 39 last week.
Cleo, who acts on screen like her famous parents, posted several images from her birthday celebrations to Instagram, and fans of the family were quick to comment.
In the first few images, Cleo is seen sporting a stunning dress at a beachfront restaurant alongside her fiancé Jason Rosenbaum. Another image shows a smiling Sam and Katharine, clearly very happy to be spending time with their daughter on her special day.
While certain users took to the comments to wish Cleo a happy birthday, most people couldn’t help but mention how amazing Sam and Katharine were. “Your parents are wonderful!” someone exclaimed in the comments.
With a 39-year marriage under their belts, they may just be one of the longest-lasting marriages in Hollywood!
Sam Elliott has previously spoken about his lengthy relationship to Katharine Ross, with the two originally meeting on the set of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969. Katharine had a leading part, while Sam recalled: “I was just a shadow on the wall, a glorified extra in a bar scene.”
While it was love at first sight for Sam after seeing his future wife, he decided not act on his feelings – especially since he saw himself as a “glorified extra” and Katharine as a Hollywood star.
“All I could do was just watch Katharine come and go,” he recalls, adding, “I never spoke to her. I never would even think to speak to her.”
Needless to say, Sam was immediately taken by Katharine. But he wouldn’t give up and waited patiently for the right time. Though, it wasn’t until they met again on the set of The Legacy in 1978 (nine years after first working together) that he finally dared initiate any interaction.
The hit it off immediately, and wed six years later in 1984. While it was Sam’s first marriage, Katharine had previously been married four times.
After such a history of failed marriages, chances are that Ross couldn’t have felt so certain about how well her fifth (!) would go — but almost four decades later she can be sure she made the right decision.
The couple are very good at supporting each other’s careers. Elliott nearly passed on his breakout role as Cher’s biker boyfriend in the 1985 film Mask because he and Ross were on their honeymoon in Hawaii, according to the New York Times.
After Elliott told his agent he wouldn’t return early to test for the role, Ross called the agent back that night to say she’d get her husband back in time.
The two have just one child, Cleo, who became fairly famous as a musician after she studied how to sing professionally at Joanne Barron/D.W. Brown Acting Studio.
It’s safe to say that Sam and Katharine have created a beautiful family and life together, and they deserve all the best! Thank goodness rumors of his death were just a cruel hoax…
If you enjoyed this piece, you may be interested in reading about Sam and Katharine’s love story!
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