Jack Elam was an American actor and television persona who is highly known for his villain role in Western Films. He accumulated a net worth of $2 million.
Within his 46 years acting career, Elam appeared in 73 movies and 41 television series. His popular films include “High Noon”, “Once Upon a Time in the West”, “Support Your Local Sheriff!”, and so on.
Besides, Elam’s “The Twilight Zone”, & “Gunsmoke” television series were highly admired.
Jack worked for the U.S. Navy for two years during World War II. Besides, he took a finance job before entering the film industry. Jack’s villainous role in the Western Film caught the eyes of action movie lovers.
However, Jack had a distinguishing physical quality of a misaligned eye. He died on October 20, 2003, due to congestive heart failure.
Jack Elam: At a Glance
| Full Name | William Scoot Elam |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | November 13, 1920 |
| Birth Place | Miami, Arizona, U.S. |
| Died | October 20, 2003 |
| Height | 6ft 1in (1.83m) |
| Spouse | Jean L Hodgert (1937-1961), & Margaret Jennison (1961-2003) |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Actor |
| Net Worth | $2 Million |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life
On November 13, 1920, Jack was born in Miami, Gia County, south-central Arizona, the U.S. His father was Millard Elam.
His mother Alice Amelia Kirby died when he was only two. He grew up with his father, sister, and stepmother.
At an early age, Elam lost his left eyesight as he was stabbed with a pencil. He studied at Miami High School and graduated from Santa Monica Junior College in California.
Career
Before starting his acting career, Elam worked as a bookkeeper at the bank of America, served two years for U.S. Navy, manager of Hotel Bel-Air, and as an accountant in Hollywood.
In 1949, Elam started his acting journey through the exploitation film “She Shoulda Said No!”. In most of the films, Jack appeared as a gangster.
In the 1950s decade, Elam played numerous popular western series including “The Rifleman”, “Gunsmoke”, “Lawman”, and so on.
Besides, Elam portrayed comedic roles. In 1969, Jack appeared in his maiden comedy film “Support Your Local Sherrif!”. Later on, he played another western comedy film “Support Your Local Gunfighter”. These two films made his later acting career as a comedian.
Within his 46 years of an acting career, he had credited over 200 acting roles. This talented actor presented 73 movies and 41 TV series.
In 1994, Jack Elam was introduced to the “Hall Of Great Western Performers” of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
FAQs
Jack Elam died due to heart failure. This talented actor from Miami died on October 20, 2003, at his home in Ashland, Ore. Within his 46 years acting career, he had gifted 73 movies for the action movie lover.
Elam’s popular western comedy film “Support Your Local Sheriff” was filmed in Iverson. The movie was released in 1969 and became a super hit. Later he performed “Support Your Local Gunfighter”.
Jack married Jean L Hodgert and Margaret Jennison. His three children are Scoot Elam, Jeri Elam, & Jacqueline Elam. Among them, Scoot and Jeri are sons and Jacqueline is his daughter.
