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Jack Elam

Jack Elam

Known For Acting
Birthday Nov 13, 1920
Died Oct 20, 2003 (82)
Birthplace Miami, Gila, Arizona, USA
Popularity 1 (history)
Updated Aug 01, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
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 jo ... b 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.

Known For

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Filmography

Bonanza: Under Attack

Bonanza: Under Attack

1995

as Buckshot

Uninvited

Uninvited

1993

as Grady

Bonanza: The Return

Bonanza: The Return

1993

as Buckshot

Shadow Force

Shadow Force

1992

as Tommy

Suburban Commando

Suburban Commando

1991

as Col. Dustin 'Dusty' McHowell

Big Bad John

Big Bad John

1990

as Jake Calhoun

The Giant of Thunder Mountain

The Giant of Thunder Mountain

1990

as Hezekiah Crow

Once Upon a Texas Train

Once Upon a Texas Train

1988

as Jason Fitch

Hawken's Breed

Hawken's Breed

1987

as Tackett

The Aurora Encounter

The Aurora Encounter

1986

as Charlie

Cannonball Run II

Cannonball Run II

1984

as Doc

Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground

1983

as Lum Witcher

Lost

Lost

1983

as Mr. Newsom

Jinxed!

Jinxed!

1982

as Otto

Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.

Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.

1981

as Troscliar Boudreaux

The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite

The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite

1981

as Seth Beaumont

Skyward Christmas

Skyward Christmas

1981

as Clay Haller

The Cannonball Run

The Cannonball Run

1981

as Doctor

The Villain

The Villain

1979

as Avery Simpson

The Norseman

The Norseman

1978

as Death Dreamer

Lacy and the Mississippi Queen

Lacy and the Mississippi Queen

1978

as Willie Red Fire

Hot Lead & Cold Feet

Hot Lead & Cold Feet

1978

as Rattlesnake

Grayeagle

Grayeagle

1977

as Trapper Willis

Creature from Black Lake

Creature from Black Lake

1976

as Joe Canton

The Winds of Autumn

The Winds of Autumn

1976

as J. Pete Hankins

Hawmps!

Hawmps!

1976

as Bad Jack Cutter

Pony Express Rider

Pony Express Rider

1976

as Crazy Charlie

Huckleberry Finn

Huckleberry Finn

1975

as King

A Knife for the Ladies

A Knife for the Ladies

1974

as Jarrod (Sheriff)

Sidekicks

Sidekicks

1974

as Boss

The Red Pony

The Red Pony

1973

as Granddad

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

1973

as Alamosa Bill Kermit

The Last Escape of Billy the Kid

The Last Escape of Billy the Kid

1972

as Pat Garrett

The Daughters of Joshua Cabe

The Daughters of Joshua Cabe

1972

as Bitterroot

The Last Rebel

The Last Rebel

1971

as Matt

Cat Ballou

Cat Ballou

1971

as Kid Sheleen

Hannie Caulder

Hannie Caulder

1971

as Frank Clemens

Rio Lobo

Rio Lobo

1970

as Phillips

Dirty Dingus Magee

Dirty Dingus Magee

1970

as John Wesley Hardin

The Wild Country

The Wild Country

1970

as Thompson

The Over the Hill Gang

The Over the Hill Gang

1969

as Sheriff Clyde Barnes

Ride a Northbound Horse

Ride a Northbound Horse

1969

as Sheriff

Never a Dull Moment

Never a Dull Moment

1968

as Ace Williams

Once Upon a Time in the West

Once Upon a Time in the West

1968

as Frank's Gunman

Firecreek

Firecreek

1968

as Norman

The Last Challenge

The Last Challenge

1967

as Ernest Scarnes

The Way West

The Way West

1967

as Preacher Weatherby

The Rare Breed

The Rare Breed

1966

as Deke Simons

4 for Texas

4 for Texas

1963

as Dobie

The Comancheros

The Comancheros

1961

as Horseface (Comanchero)

The Last Sunset

The Last Sunset

1961

as Ed Hobbs

Pocketful of Miracles

Pocketful of Miracles

1961

as Cheesecake

The Girl in Lovers Lane

The Girl in Lovers Lane

1960

as Jesse

The Slowest Gun in the West

The Slowest Gun in the West

1960

as Ike Dalton

Edge of Eternity

Edge of Eternity

1959

as Bill Ward

The Gun Runners

The Gun Runners

1958

as Arnold

Lure of the Swamp

Lure of the Swamp

1957

as Henry Bliss

Baby Face Nelson

Baby Face Nelson

1957

as Fatso Nagel

Dragoon Wells Massacre

Dragoon Wells Massacre

1957

as Tioga

Night Passage

Night Passage

1957

as Shotgun

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

1957

as Tom McLowery

Thunder Over Arizona

Thunder Over Arizona

1956

as Slats Callahan

Pardners

Pardners

1956

as Pete

Jubal

Jubal

1956

as McCoy

Tarzan's Hidden Jungle

Tarzan's Hidden Jungle

1955

as Burger

The Silent Partner

The Silent Partner

1955

as Shanks

The Man from Laramie

The Man from Laramie

1955

as Chris Boldt

Kismet

Kismet

1955

as Hasan-Ben

Artists and Models

Artists and Models

1955

as Ivan

Moonfleet

Moonfleet

1955

as Damen

Kiss Me Deadly

Kiss Me Deadly

1955

as Charlie Max

Wichita

Wichita

1955

as Al

Man Without a Star

Man Without a Star

1955

as Knife Murderer (uncredited)

Ride Clear of Diablo

Ride Clear of Diablo

1954

as Tim Lowerie

Princess of the Nile

Princess of the Nile

1954

as Basra

Vera Cruz

Vera Cruz

1954

as Tex

Jubilee Trail

Jubilee Trail

1954

as Whitey

The Far Country

The Far Country

1954

as Frank Newberry

Appointment in Honduras

Appointment in Honduras

1953

as Castro

Gun Belt

Gun Belt

1953

as Rusty Kolloway

The Moonlighter

The Moonlighter

1953

as Slim

Count the Hours!

Count the Hours!

1953

as Max Verne

Ride, Vaquero!

Ride, Vaquero!

1953

as Barton

Montana Territory

Montana Territory

1952

as Gimp

Kansas City Confidential

Kansas City Confidential

1952

as Pete Harris

My Man and I

My Man and I

1952

as Celestino Garcia

The Ring

The Ring

1952

as Harry Jackson

Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

1952

as Eddie

Rancho Notorious

Rancho Notorious

1952

as Mort Geary

Lure of the Wilderness

Lure of the Wilderness

1952

as Dave Longden

The Battle at Apache Pass

The Battle at Apache Pass

1952

as Mescal Jack

High Noon

High Noon

1952

as Charlie - Drunk in Jail (uncredited)

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

1951

as The Trader

Rawhide

Rawhide

1951

as Tevis

The Bushwhackers

The Bushwhackers

1951

as Cree

The Sundowners

The Sundowners

1950

as Earl Boyce

High Lonesome

High Lonesome

1950

as Smiling Man

A Ticket to Tomahawk

A Ticket to Tomahawk

1950

as Fargo

One Way Street

One Way Street

1950

as Gangster

Key to the City

Key to the City

1950

as Councilman (uncredited)

Wild Weed

Wild Weed

1949

as Raymond - Henchman

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

Temple Houston

as George Taggart

Episodes: 26

First Aired: Sep 19, 1963

The Dakotas

as Deputy J.D. Smith

Episodes: 19

First Aired: Jan 07, 1963

Struck by Lightning

as Frank

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Sep 19, 1979

Black Beauty

as Jonas McBride

Episodes: 5

First Aired: Jan 31, 1978

Zorro

as Gomez (uncredited)

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Oct 10, 1957

Gunsmoke

as Dolph Quince

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Sugarfoot

as Toothy Thompson

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 17, 1957

The Sacketts

as Ira Bigelow

Episodes: 2

First Aired: May 15, 1979

Gunsmoke

as Pierre Audubon

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

How the West Was Won

as Cully Madigan

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Feb 06, 1977

The Wonderful World of Disney

as Sheriff

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 27, 1954

Home Improvement

as Hick Peterson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 17, 1991

Tales of Wells Fargo

as Chris

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 18, 1957

The Twilight Zone

as Avery

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1959

Bonanza

as Dodie Hoad

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

Rawhide

as Turkey Creek Jack Johnson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 1959

Daniel Boone

as Petch

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 1964

The High Chaparral

as Macklin

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1967

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Lee Dineen

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Richard Diamond, Private Detective

as Danny Boy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 01, 1957

M Squad

as Luke Morgan

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1957

National Velvet

as Black Barr

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 18, 1960

The Rebel

as Uncle Luce

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1959

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

as Hock Ellis

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1956

The Legend of Jesse James

as Deacon Smith

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 13, 1965

The Restless Gun

as Tony Molinor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 1957

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Halleck

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Nichols

as Marcus A.F. Baxter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 16, 1971

Richard Diamond, Private Detective

as Perk Butler

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 01, 1957

Gunsmoke

as Steed

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Clint Dodie

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Ben

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Hector

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Specter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Del Ordman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Sam Band

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Jim Barrett

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as William Prange

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Lucas Murdoch

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Titus Spangler

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

as Little Jimmy Lehigh

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

as Stage Driver Cass

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1956

Four Star Playhouse

as Vic

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 1952

The Lone Ranger

as Reno Lawrence

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1949

Bonanza

as Honest John

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

The Texan

as Luke Watson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1958

Bonanza

as Buford Buckalew

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

The Untouchables

as Jug Alverson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1959

The Virginian

as Harve Yost

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1962

Paradise

as Skragg

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 27, 1988

Lawman

as Herm Forrest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1958

Kung Fu

as Marcus Taylor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 14, 1972

Lucky Luke

as Axel Ericson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 20, 1992

Screen Director's Playhouse

as Shanks

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1955

Cheyenne

as Calhoun Durango

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1955

The Untouchables

as Nick Bravo

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1959

Have Gun, Will Travel

as Arnold Shaffner

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1957

Mr. Lucky

as Phil Bricker

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 24, 1959

The Guns of Will Sonnett

as Sam - Sheriff

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1967

Lawman

as Paul Henry

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1958

Easy Street

Episodes: 22

First Aired: Sep 13, 1986

Detective in the House

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Mar 15, 1985

The Rifleman

Episodes: 5

First Aired: Sep 30, 1958

Eight Is Enough

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Mar 15, 1977

Lawman

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Oct 05, 1958

Cheyenne

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 20, 1955

Father Murphy

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Nov 03, 1981

Bronco

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 23, 1958

The Texan

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 29, 1958

Frontier

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 25, 1955

F Troop

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1965

Simon & Simon

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 24, 1981

Alias Smith and Jones

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 05, 1971

Target: The Corruptors!

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1961

Outlaws

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 26, 1960

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 06, 1958

Have Gun, Will Travel

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1957

Cimarron Strip

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 07, 1967

The Outcasts

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 1968

Lancer

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 1968

Tarzan

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1966

Hondo

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1967

Ben Casey

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1961

The Brian Keith Show

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1972

Grizzly Adams

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 09, 1977

Tightrope

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1959

Mr. & Mrs. North

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 1952

J.J. Starbuck

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 26, 1987

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 17 32 11
2024 7 28 41 11
2024 8 20 42 11
2024 9 15 24 8
2024 10 12 19 7
2024 11 13 20 6
2024 12 15 23 10
2025 1 20 39 11
2025 2 9 19 2
2025 3 6 15 1
2025 4 1 1 1
2025 5 3 4 1
2025 6 1 2 1
2025 7 1 1 0
2025 8 1 3 0

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2025 8 616 592

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