21 Then And Now Photos Of Sam Elliott And Katharine Ross That Portray A True Hollywood Love Story
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend both examples of relationship goals but they are honeymooners compared to Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross – a Hollywood love story that has lasted for 40-years. In an industry that sees many loves come and go, the married couple’s 34-year-lasting union is a triumph, and the story of how it all happened is so sweet it belongs on the silver screen.
Elliott, 74, and Ross, 79, both made a name for themselves as Hollywood stars independently before they first met in 1978 on the set of the horror movie The Legacy, which was shot in London.
Image credits: cleoroseelliott
1978 Pete (Sam Elliott) and Maggie (Katherine Ross) are lovers to whom strange things begin to happen, in Universal’s horror thriller ‘The Legacy’
Image credits: historicimages
While this was the first time they officially met, Elliott admits he had encountered the lovely Ross before then, when he had a small role in Butch Cassidy almost a decade before. The actor was too shy to approach her, however, he told AARP The Magazine: “I didn’t dare try to talk to her then. She was the leading lady. I was a shadow on the wall, a glorified extra in a bar scene.”
Image credits: imdb
Image credits: imdb
Five years older than Elliott, Ross was married to her fourth husband at the time, while he had never been married before. In 1979 she divorced her then spouse and married Elliott in 1984. That same year the two had their daughter, Cleo Rose.
Image credits: COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION
Image credits: cleoroseelliott
Finding time between projects is tough for all actors but Elliott proved early on it was a priority. He nearly passed up his breakout role as Cher’s boyfriend in the 1985 movie Mask because he was on a honeymoon with his true love in Hawaii.
Image credits: cleoroseelliott
Image credits: The LIFE Picture Collection
Elliott told his agent that he wouldn’t leave his vacation with Ross early to test for the role, but his wife and ever supportive partner had his back. She called his agent the same night and said she would get Elliott back in time for the screen test.
Image credits: The Hero
Daughter Cleo Rose with her parents at age 6, the now singer posted the photo to her Instagram “My mom and I have a joke that we’re always talking when pictures are taken”
Image credits: Ron Galella
The loving couple is still going strong after all these years and teamed up again onscreen in 2017 for the film The Hero, about an aging Western film icon. Ross plays his ex-wife and was thrilled to work on what she called “a really moving story.”
Image credits: The Hero
Image credits: The Hero
Joint projects like these, Ross believes in some ways nurture the real love and relationship: “Sometimes that’s easier than real life,” Katharine said. “You’re [sic] got a script. You’ve got a part. You’ve got your creative juices flowing together. It’s not about the dirty dishes in the sink or whether you’ve picked something up at the laundry. …”
Image credits: Frederick M. Brown
Image credits: Jeff Vespa
Withstanding the entertainment business is difficult for even the strongest couples but Elliott says: “We have a common sensibility, but we also work at being together. You work past the s–t; you don’t walk away from it. That’s how relationships last.”
Image credits: Ron Galella
Eliott, Ross and their daughter Cleo Rose in Malibu, California
Image credits: cleoroseelliott
Image credits: Joe Scarnici
“What makes a marriage work is a mutual love and a mutual respect. There are peaks and valleys like everything else, but you have to push on,” Elliott told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Image credits: The Hero
Image credits: The Hero
Elliott and Ross at the 91st Acadamy Awards, Elliott was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for A Star Is Born
Image credits: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Sorry, I'm not sorry but Sam Elliot gets better with age. He seems like a genuine person.
Man, he is one fine example of the male specimen. Not to mention that voice.
These 40+ relationships- just melt my heart. So many years of love, maybe some argument, support, caring, problems and friendship... We need more couples like this, they are such an inspiration to believe love is still alive out there :)
My Mom's parents had been married for 71 years when her dad passed away. Her mom passed away 6 months later. My parents are 73 and have been married for 53 years. They are truly in love with each other and still hold hands even while grocery shopping. True love is definitely out there, it's just very rarely seen amongst Hollywood couples
Load More Replies...
In the second to the last photo, in black and white, with no moustache and his hair cut short, Sam bears a fleeting resemblance to Mark Harmon. Both men have aged gracefully, that's for sure!
God...I didn't know that was his wife! I recognizer from Butch and Sundance. #RelationshipGoals
I hope more than anything I get to be with my husband this long.. and that science finds a way for dogs to live 80 years.
1st: I've never heard of a woman named Shane. Since your name is Shane, you must've meant to say wife instead of husband. 2nd: I absolutely LOVE dogs, but dogs should not live 80 years!!
Load More Replies...
He is one of the best, loved him in every movie, very easy on the eyes💕💕
I love photo albums of couples that grow old together. They are a beautiful duet.
Sam Elliott and Katherine Ross make me believe in marriage again. Such a beautiful couple and so supportive of each other. This is what marriage should be.
Sam is a good example of why masculinity is a good thing. Protecting and nurturing a family is masculine. Toxic masculinity is a nasty term that should be reserved for bad people. This country needs a lot more men than honor their commitments. Having a loving father is important to your mental health.
I first saw Sam in roadhouse and have followed his rough, handsome figure since, loved him in mask and a start is born <3 xx
Tonight I saw The Graduate again for the first time in 40 years. Though Anne Bancroft stole the show, Katherine Ross was wonderful and so exquisitely beautiful. Sad to hear she suffered through four failed marriages before finding her true love. I had no idea that she and Sam were married ... and for 42 years now ... amazing! That 2nd to last photo (black & white), with both of them smiling lovingly is a classic. So happy for them both.
Such an awesome couple truly admire them !!!javascript:void(0);
I watched the Legacy, very good movie, but more of a thriller. I so envie them but such long lasting love is also hard work. I am glad somebody made it!
You gotta love Sam Elliot. From around the first time I saw him in "Roadhouse" with Patrick Swayze and up to these days I have always liked his southern drawl.
I loved him in Mask, Roadhouse, Tombstone etc. He is The Ranch !. But I desperately want him and Bradley to do a prequel to a Star is Born....not so early that those two don't play the roles, but there was just so much to them as Brothers that had me wanting to watch another ten hours plus of that dynamic.
Just a reminder that sunblock is important and you should wear it every day.
Almost everyone seems to be talking about his mustache but I'm more interested in his hair
These two have been one of my favourite couples for years. They're adorable together.
I think Sam will always be a stud, no matter his age. His wife is a lucky lady.
Well, I guess she finally got it right. Sam is her 5th marriage. Hmmm...
Sorry, I'm not sorry but Sam Elliot gets better with age. He seems like a genuine person.
Man, he is one fine example of the male specimen. Not to mention that voice.
These 40+ relationships- just melt my heart. So many years of love, maybe some argument, support, caring, problems and friendship... We need more couples like this, they are such an inspiration to believe love is still alive out there :)
My Mom's parents had been married for 71 years when her dad passed away. Her mom passed away 6 months later. My parents are 73 and have been married for 53 years. They are truly in love with each other and still hold hands even while grocery shopping. True love is definitely out there, it's just very rarely seen amongst Hollywood couples
Load More Replies... In the second to the last photo, in black and white, with no moustache and his hair cut short, Sam bears a fleeting resemblance to Mark Harmon. Both men have aged gracefully, that's for sure!
God...I didn't know that was his wife! I recognizer from Butch and Sundance. #RelationshipGoals
I hope more than anything I get to be with my husband this long.. and that science finds a way for dogs to live 80 years.
1st: I've never heard of a woman named Shane. Since your name is Shane, you must've meant to say wife instead of husband. 2nd: I absolutely LOVE dogs, but dogs should not live 80 years!!
Load More Replies... He is one of the best, loved him in every movie, very easy on the eyes💕💕
I love photo albums of couples that grow old together. They are a beautiful duet.
Sam Elliott and Katherine Ross make me believe in marriage again. Such a beautiful couple and so supportive of each other. This is what marriage should be.
Sam is a good example of why masculinity is a good thing. Protecting and nurturing a family is masculine. Toxic masculinity is a nasty term that should be reserved for bad people. This country needs a lot more men than honor their commitments. Having a loving father is important to your mental health.
I first saw Sam in roadhouse and have followed his rough, handsome figure since, loved him in mask and a start is born <3 xx
Tonight I saw The Graduate again for the first time in 40 years. Though Anne Bancroft stole the show, Katherine Ross was wonderful and so exquisitely beautiful. Sad to hear she suffered through four failed marriages before finding her true love. I had no idea that she and Sam were married ... and for 42 years now ... amazing! That 2nd to last photo (black & white), with both of them smiling lovingly is a classic. So happy for them both.
Such an awesome couple truly admire them !!!javascript:void(0);
I watched the Legacy, very good movie, but more of a thriller. I so envie them but such long lasting love is also hard work. I am glad somebody made it!
You gotta love Sam Elliot. From around the first time I saw him in "Roadhouse" with Patrick Swayze and up to these days I have always liked his southern drawl.
I loved him in Mask, Roadhouse, Tombstone etc. He is The Ranch !. But I desperately want him and Bradley to do a prequel to a Star is Born....not so early that those two don't play the roles, but there was just so much to them as Brothers that had me wanting to watch another ten hours plus of that dynamic.
Just a reminder that sunblock is important and you should wear it every day.
Almost everyone seems to be talking about his mustache but I'm more interested in his hair
These two have been one of my favourite couples for years. They're adorable together.
I think Sam will always be a stud, no matter his age. His wife is a lucky lady.
Well, I guess she finally got it right. Sam is her 5th marriage. Hmmm...
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