Jack Elam

Person

Jack Elam

Acting November 13, 1920

Miami, Gila, Arizona, USA

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 Cal…

IMDb

Known for

Popular titles

Once Upon a Time in the West

Once Upon a Time in the West

8.3 1968 Movie
High Noon

High Noon

7.7 1952 Movie
The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

8.5 1959 TV Show
Home Improvement

Home Improvement

7.4 1991 TV Show
Bonanza

Bonanza

7.5 1959 TV Show
The Cannonball Run

The Cannonball Run

6.2 1981 Movie
The Rifleman

The Rifleman

7.1 1958 TV Show
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

7.2 1973 Movie
Daniel Boone

Daniel Boone

7.0 1964 TV Show
Have Gun, Will Travel

Have Gun, Will Travel

7.3 1957 TV Show
The Untouchables

The Untouchables

8.0 1959 TV Show
Simon & Simon

Simon & Simon

6.7 1981 TV Show

Photos

More stills of Jack Elam

Biography

A closer look

Read full 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.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 1997
    Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western

    Movie Self

  2. 1995
    Bonanza: Under Attack

    Movie Buckshot

  3. 1993
    Bonanza: The Return

    Movie Buckshot

  4. 1993
    Uninvited

    Movie Grady

  5. 1992
    Shadow Force

    Movie Tommy

  6. 1992
    Lucky Luke

    TV show Axel Ericson

  7. 1991
    Suburban Commando

    Movie Col. Dustin 'Dusty' McHowell

  8. 1991
    Home Improvement

    TV show Hick Peterson

  9. 1990
    The Giant of Thunder Mountain

    Movie Hezekiah Crow

  10. 1990
    Big Bad John

    Movie Jake Calhoun

  11. 1988
    Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?

    Movie Boone

  12. 1988
    Paradise

    TV show Skragg

  13. 1988
    Once Upon a Texas Train

    Movie Jason Fitch

  14. 1987
    I Am Not a Freak

    Movie Self

  15. 1987
    J.J. Starbuck

    TV show

  16. 1987
    Hawken's Breed

    Movie Tackett

More credits
  1. 1986
    Louis L'Amour's Down the Long Hills

    Movie Squires

  2. 1986
    Easy Street

    TV show

  3. 1986
    The Aurora Encounter

    Movie Charlie

  4. 1985
    Detective in the House

    TV show

  5. 1984
    Scrooge's Rock 'N' Roll Christmas

    Movie Scrooge

  6. 1984
    Cannonball Run II

    Movie Doc

  7. 1983
    Lost

    Movie Mr. Newsom

  8. 1983
    Sacred Ground

    Movie Lum Witcher

  9. 1982
    Jinxed!

    Movie Otto

  10. 1981
    Skyward Christmas

    Movie Clay Haller

  11. 1981
    Simon & Simon

    TV show

  12. 1981
    Father Murphy

    TV show

  13. 1981
    Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.

    Movie Troscliar Boudreaux

  14. 1981
    The Cannonball Run

    Movie Doctor

  15. 1981
    The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite

    Movie Seth Beaumont

  16. 1979
    Struck by Lightning

    TV show Frank

  17. 1979
    The Villain

    Movie Avery Simpson

  18. 1979
    The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

    Movie Big Mac

  19. 1979
    The Sacketts

    TV show Ira Bigelow

  20. 1979
    $weepstake$

    TV show

  21. 1978
    The Norseman

    Movie Death Dreamer

  22. 1978
    Hot Lead & Cold Feet

    Movie Rattlesnake

  23. 1978
    Lacy and the Mississippi Queen

    Movie Willie Red Fire

  24. 1978
    Huckleberry Finn

    Movie King