1987 - Jack Elam

Late Night with David Letterman... Wait till you hear about the movie he turned down...ooops:)

[@robharding1957]

If ever there was an actor who really earned his money, and the respect of all the western watchers like myself, then its this man Jack Elam.a real legend.

[@bobby33x97]

Best "Bad Guys" ever: Jack Elam, Lee Van Cleef, Robert Wilkey

[@paulpeterson4216]

He could be funny too. I loved him in Support your Local Sheriff

[@iganatiousjr]

@@bobby33x97 You missed Slim Pickens.

[@bobby33x97]

@@iganatiousjr How often did 'Slim' Pickens play the heavy? Not very!

[@iganatiousjr]

@@bobby33x97 Regularly. He played the mean mountain man or gang member - especially early.

[@ComputerLearning0]

Jack Elam always made every movie he was in better. Just yesterday I watched "Support Your Local Sheriff" with James Garner, and Elam was his deputy and he really helped make the movie as good as it was and still is to this day :)

[@kayaktulsa7170]

Hysterically funny!

[@692ALBANNACH]

The town character !

[@rickved]

I loved that movie. How about the love interest trying to hide in the tree?

[@ballsyrocker]

Love that movie and I remember him best in that one. He did appear in many ,many Westerns as a b actor.

[@ronl514]

Jack, Bruce Dern and Walter Brennan were great in that movie!

[@spagoz2136]

To see him in endless roles as a villain and then see him play a comedy role in Support Your Local Sheriff was a real eye opener and thoroughly entertaining. What a versatile actor he was.

[@waynej2608]

He did really well in that one. He and James Garner made for an amusing team. It was one of Jack's best roles. Imho. Also, it was one of his biggest parts. A wonderful, cantankerous character.

[@paulsarnik8506]

Which eye 👁️?🤓😎✌🏻

[@captainmac9929]

I met Jack in McKinney, Texas back around 1985 or so while they were filming there and I was on the Police Department. During a break in filming I was directing traffic at a very busy intersection in downtown. The movie company had hired us to work traffic during their production. So Jack is standing on the corner watching me working all this traffic and I shouted over to him, “Why don’t you come out here and do this and I’ll stand over there?” He got one of those signature grins on his face and just shook his head back and forth very emphatically! We both laughed and I continued to work. Later on I was able to let traffic run and go over to talk to him and he was the nicest guy. When he had to take off he shook my hand and thanked me for helping out. I’d always been a fan so this was quite special for me.

[@saiyongdawn7756]

Wow,.what a beautiful story. Wish I could have met Mr Elam. One of my fav bad guys. Lol. Loved his Christmas character in Gunsmoke with Jody Foster Thanks for sharing. 🧚‍♂️

[@kazfleszar5899]

would loved to have met him.

[@cowboywoodard2569]

I was there too bud lol

[@Ladybhive71]

@@kazfleszar5899 me too.

[@markphillips1824]

My childhood wouldn't be the same without Jack Elam

[@charlesglaser4868]

What a classic actor, Everybody loves you Jack!! You are sorely missed! R.I.P. Jack

[@anitathompson7023]

He was an amazing actor! I loved Jack Elam!

[@catonahi]

Once upon a time in the West..opening scene with the fly and that lazy eye..brilliant

[@clouddweller1195]

A class act Mr.Elam was.

[@TheStuport]

What a TRUE Blessing it was for me to have lived while Mr. Elam acted....What A Legend!! Cheers All

[@susanspencer9538]

I remember meeting Jack in Oaklahoma, he drove me to a relatives home. He wanted me to live in the home, & take care of an elderly relative. He was very much a gentleman.

[@davidcaddick5270]

He had such a great sense of humor,not to mention a great actor

[@morriganravenchild6613]

Elam was a great actor beyond doubt.

[@robertbishop5357]

He was a great villain and incredibly funny. I'll never forget his character on cannonball 1&2.

[@williambarringer9377]

Yeah, waving that finger around….

[@jenniferr9624]

The organ music intro is so funny. 😂

[@TanDawg58]

And drinking from the needle

[@richardstuckmeyer8070]

My favorite Jack Elam film was "Support Your Local Sheriff". He was hilarious.

[@PorkChopJones]

What an outstanding actor if you see him in a movie he adds credibility to any movie. Depending on his character role he could either have you fall down laughing, or have you wondering what evil thing this bad guy will do next. This guy is one of a kind self made original actor. I have enjoyed many of his movies.

[@robpelarde4734]

So true!

[@mayormc]

Elam was a classic.

[@tonys2705]

He was a one of the true greats. A legend. And he has such a great personality. He was most definitely one of the greatest screen heavyweights..

[@MrBoywonder1985]

Such a fiend in the movies/TV Westerns but a true gentleman in real life. RIP sir

[@LinkRocks]

Jack was an incredible actor. He made you hate the bad characters he played, which is a sign of a great actor.

[@therussiandragon616]

That made him credible.

[@superbanaan9]

ffun fact he never whas an actor he litterly bought his way in to some films or covered the production cost or even while shooting films he trew money and asked in return to be in it what a guy and i will never forget his face in all those beaufil movies

[@johnstucko2740]

“Once Upon a Time in the West”, opening scene!! ‘nuff said!! Also, he was in a After School special called “Ransom of Red Chief “, with Strother Martin. I have it on VHS....friggin hilarious!! Maybe KZbin has it?

[@kayaktulsa7170]

Wow, Jack Elam and Strother Martin--two of the best character actors that ever stepped in front of a camera!

[@KutWrite]

@@kayaktulsa7170: Yup, neither one ever had a "failure to communicate!"

[@denmerc3505]

Could you imagine listening to this wonderful guys stories after a few drinks ? R.I.P.

[@jolenaagapisou3803]

Denmerc350 - I bet his stories would have been so funny!!❤️❤️❤️😂😂😂😂

[@denmerc3505]

​@@jolenaagapisou3803Nice to see someone else is a fan of this fine actor , love your picture. regards Dennis from Aus.

[@delona6485]

How nice to see Elam!

[@robertmclean9737]

Both me and my Mother loved Jack. Always said he holds the record for most Movies played in. Cheers

[@stephengies5035]

Walter Brennan was in over 200 movies.

[@davidbarnett9312]

He was one scary bad guy in those early westerns and gangsters films, but his performance in "Support Your Local Sheriff" is classic comedy.

[@createone100]

One of my dear late husband’s very favourite actors! What a career. I could listen to his stories forever. He deserved a better interviewer.

[@davidbarnett9312]

As a 'bad guy', he was hilarious in Support Your Local Sheriff and Gunfighter.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

David Barnett yeah, I just love the ending where he runs down how everything turns out for the characters. he's the sheriff now. anyway he was so funney

[@sideswiped6874]

"Jug" who would name their kid Jug LOL

[@jjc7582]

Hilarious!! If people don't know that one they need to find it ASAP. They don't know what they're missing.

[@bobbyyoung4243]

David Barnett i remember him in an episode of the twilight zone, he was hilarious.

[@AhPhoey]

He never played a bad guy in either of those movies.

[@dorothycoker8830]

He could be a sweetheart. He was a good guy in Rio Lobo with John Wayne.

[@johnminehan1148]

Also, Tyrone Powers buddy in Mississippi Gambler. A nice performance . . . .

[@robbyarcher670]

I worked on Easy Street in the Lighting Dept. Jack was a gem of a person. Great to the crew, and a wonderful actor. He and I had many wonderful conversations. Rest his soul.

[@AtSafeDistance]

would love to hear some of them. :)

[@MaturePatriot]

Jack, was a great actor who was a character. One of my favorite actors.

[@willajenkins5427]

Who would EVER forget Jack Elam? Wonderful, funny, very skilled, and acting everywhere. I love and respect his memory.

[@tedpuckett8066]

He wore striped britches in "The Dakotas"! They fit his persona.

[@tedpuckett8066]

...oddball! Lol!

[@wovfm]

What a find, Jack Elam humanized after watching about a hundred of his villainous roles. Terrific.

[@Charlotte-wp9rf]

My favorite real bad guy. Loved him!

[@johnmclean1046]

A true star in every sense of the word.

[@SDW90808]

OMG! Love this guy. My fave is Support Your Local Sheriff, but now I have to go back and watch his others. Especially the one with Marlene Dietrich.

[@schallrd1]

Jack was such a good actor he could play a great villian or a likeable sidekick character.

[@jaywilliams8386]

Jack was one of my favorite actors. I first noticed him in "Creature from Black Lake" in which he played a drunken swamper who gave me a hangover just watching him. I also noticed him in "Night of the Grizzly" with Clint Walker and in both a Twilight Zone and Rifleman episodes. We'll miss that crazy eye.

[@brazkdidiyabrak1785]

i love this actor,he was so inspiring he made all the movies beautifull he played in.not so many like him nowadays.

[@Paul-lm5gv]

We can thank his eye problems for giving the world one of the greatest western character actors of all time!

[@manuelguillermocalzadodomi9503]

I can not imagine a real good western without his acting

[@brooklynbummer]

I met Jack once and he was a very nice guy to talk to.

[@Giggidygiggidy12]

I love Elam response to Letterman's "did you shoot guys in the back", he says it's the only place.

[@KutWrite]

I'm gonna go watch "Rawhide" right now!

[@savannahdockins6361]

Mr. Elam was one of the greatest supporting actors ever.

[@danielbenedict8818]

It was when I was watching Rifleman episodes that I became acquainted with Jack Elam; there was one episode where Jack had a real wild eyed look (much more than his usual); I saw him in other episodes of The Rifleman and some in Gunsmoke - one where he acts the role of a seasoned but stable grisled old trail boss - then I saw he definitely was a versatile actor - bad guys and others as well!

[@mkw3980]

Rifleman and Gunsmoke were the two shows I came to know Mr. Elam in, myself. His appearance caught me off-guard. My dad is a huge Western fan- I once asked him who that man is and he said "That's Jack Elam- one of the best Western actors EVER." My dad respects him, so I naturally respect the hell out of him, too. He passed when I was 10 years old, so he was way before my time; nonetheless, his performances are timeless.

[@swskitso]

Just watched little joe shoot him this morning. Wish people would have just asked him about his eye and how it changed over the years cause i almost didnt recognize him with both looking in the same direction.

[@pipdatip]

jack elam was in the best western of all time in my opinion once upon a time in the west.

[@lenny38138]

But he was one horse short. Or did he bring two to many?

[@jimstepan3038]

I would have bet the farm that Snaky (Elam) was gonna blow that fly away with his pistol the first time I saw OUATITW!! Jack's short opening piece in that greatest of all westerns was PRICELESS!! The "short one horse", "two too many" exchange with Harmonica (Bronson) was an ingenious, humorous setup to a number of close-up shots of Charles Bronson's feature laden face throughout the movie!! Jack Elam's presence in any movie was always a diamond in the rough!

[@gerrydooley951]

an Italian western , the best western of all time? I don't think so. Have you seen every western?

[@wassupdoc2780]

My daughter learned his wondering eye and had it dialed in. He was a great bad guy, so many parts. You could tell he was a great person.

[@georgebuller1914]

My late father used to call this superb actor "One-eye" No insult intended - my late father wasn't like that - it was just the way he seemed so often to close down the eye that was out of sync that made my father call him that. RIP Jack Elam - gone but NEVER forgotten! xxx

[@gmbenz2482]

That's funny because he once played a 3-eyed Martian in a 1961 episode of the Twilight Zone.

[@magoo9767]

One of the best old time characters Hollywood ever produced.

[@mikesaunders4775]

One of my favourite actors,and a witty and engaging raconteur.

[@davidmandziuk8493]

Remember him in Rio Bravo. His part as The Doctor in Cannonball Run is priceless !!! Hey JJ, this is the only tool I need !!

[@anthonygarland2413]

“Want me to exam him?” 😂😂😂

[@captjim007]

JJ, "I just gave her a little prick"

[@ulrichrohde4071]

"Once upon a time in the west" he didn't even survive the opening scene. But here his acting was more impressive than ever. He hardly had any lines to speak, and that fly scene was hilarious! Strangely enough they hardly mention this here.

[@ronfrey5327]

They fly wrangler used bacon grease on his face to make them land to get the take.

[@maydom04]

I love that scene, didn’t realize how much sympathy I developed for the fly. Also loved his over-the-top performance in aTwilight Zone episode: “Will the Real Martian....

[@deadbang241]

What a great actor and man !

[@rerite2]

How he got into acting is hilarious. So many go to acting school, summer stock theatre...etc. He bartered his accounting skills for roles to get started. Brilliant.

[@harryviking6347]

How can I forget this man! Been watching his movies growing up in the 50s and 60s!!

[@mikeyh1111]

I loved that guy,my favorite ever supporting actor!

[@childoftruth1738]

I have loved every performance this great man has played. Idk them all and look always for this true man's, man work!

[@marlintester5486]

my all time favorite character actor

[@jeffsweazea4809]

I liked Elam in Support Your Local Sheriff with James Garner.

[@jimmygarlon750]

I think him and Jim were at there best in these films, don't forget Walter and Bruce.

[@joannsmith1029]

To me Jack Elam never got enough credit for his acting. If it wasn't for Jack the top actor wouldn't have been as good as they were

[@t_k_blitz4837]

He sure knew a lot about shoveling horse-... uh, working in the stables.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

t-k-blitz He was also a whore cough horse holder at Madam Or,s whore house.

[@tadimaggio]

To Jeff -- I agree with you. One of my all-time favorite comic moments is in "Support Your Local Gunfighter", when Jim Garner accepts a challenge from a gunfighter, motions to him to precede him out to the street, and then cracks him over the head with a whiskey bottle the moment his back is turned.. Elam sputters "But -- but -- you hit that guy from behind!" Garner turns to him, as proud as a peacock, and says "JUST AS HARD AS I.COULD!"

[@crashcorrigan9733]

This guy was a great actor. My Dad used to laugh watching his westerns. Always knew he'd be dead before the show was over. Made Dad chuckle, in a good way. Good memories.

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

He rode away on the back of the train at the end of "Support Your Local Gunfighter," telling the audience how things turned out in Purgatory, Colorado. He "went on to star in Italian Westerns."

[@williambilyeu9801]

Jack Elam a great actor and a great comedian. He was about the best thing in "Support Your Local Sheriff."

[@michaleenyproductions3442]

Great segment. Jack Elam was one of the first character actors who I remembered his name when I was growing up. And try to remember all good character actors after him. 9:52

[@rafaelramirez1507]

For a villian in so many films I love this guy 👌🏻 ... R.I.P. Jack Elam 🌟

[@patrickfennell6372]

Jack was one of the best. Great at what he did.

[@strattuner]

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY WOULDN'T MAKE A WESTERN WITHOUT HIM,GOOD DECISION RIP JACK

[@rogerwilco4397]

Letterman had NO CLUE. Elam was a LEGEND.

[@blacquesjacques7239]

Roger Wilco He thought he knew everything he needed to know and soif he didn't know something it couldn't deserve any respect .

[@johneasler9967]

Johnny Carson was the only late night host with class. These guys now, especially kimmel and Colbert, are rude, limp dicks

[@petermaxwell2965]

+John Easler I hate Colbert, all he does is go on and on about Trump..give it a rest !

[@user2144]

Jim Stark That's strange, considering Letterman's favourite ever film is Once Upon A Time In The West.

[@randygates1619]

@@johneasler9967 don't forget jimmy Fallon, he is terrible.

[@LindaLClark-mi8px]

Love ❤️ Jack Elam he was a great person and actor 🙏🙌💯🥰

[@robertszvetics210]

jack was the man a great actor

[@lckgilmo43]

He was actually a damned good comedian. He'd have you crying laughing. I wish that I could've met him in person, hung out and drank with him.

[@carlaaustin6054]

Loved him in Night of the Grizzly. Hilarious 😆😆😆! He played bad guys so convincingly. He also played a good sidekick and so humorously.

[@danielsayers5285]

My man was in Cannon Ball Run. Played the Doctor that shot up lol. Great actor

[@markadkins4680]

Ha! 30 years later, Dave looks just like Jack, beard and all (less the lazy eye).

[@susanspencer9538]

Lol... ya. Actually Jack got stabbed in the eye with a pencil, when a young boy.

[@williambarringer9377]

Jack pulled off the look with class; Letterman just looks like a bum.

[@martitinkovich4489]

That was the hardest working "lazy eye" in show business.

[@eileenmacdougall8945]

He was a terrific actor. I always thought personally, he was a good guy, and he certainly comes across that way.

[@ericteneyck8691]

Jack Elam, one of the best character actors ever. Dave made the same mistake he always made by talking to much. Elam worked with all the best and Dave should have shut up and let him tell stories. First interview I ever saw with Jack Elam, I wonder if there are others?

[@Hambone571]

Eric TenEyck Agreed. He talks so much, sometimes why even have a guest on when you won’t let them talk.

[@pauljewel6988]

Jonny Carson seemed to listen, Dave and Conan made it about them they think that self-loathing is funny

[@seltaeb3302]

Only Carson & some of the earlier & polite hosts when it was rude to interrupt someone talking. Here in 1970s UK we had Parkinson. He wasn't a good chat host, but an excellent listener who gently guided his guests & boy what guests, Cagney, Peck, Wayne, Bette D, Connery, Lennon, James Stewart, Astaire, Sammy D, Orson W, Rooney, Niven, Mitchum, Gene K, & the list went on & they barely plugged anything & just gave us their memories & oh boy Bette Davis had plenty memories! Hosts should be a good listener. That's all.

[@wb7370]

Dave talk wayyyy to much

[@bobjohnson1587]

@@wb7370 Probably why I chose to never watch him. He was always trying to 'up' his guest!

[@theswagler5648]

An intelligent man, good interview.

[@bh5606]

..loved Jack Elam..

[@bikersoncall]

9:30 David: '' I don't understand the game'' Jack: ''That's why I wanna play with you...'' Jack Elam was the best ever.

[@babygretz5]

quite a guy he worked with everyone

[@randallfrank5682]

What a Great actor!!! Check those eyebrows. Love the guy.

[@delstanley1349]

Several months ago I was driving from Houston to Phoenix Az. I've made the trip several times before and this time I wanted to avoid going through Tucson. So in Lordsburg, NM I turned on to US 70 and continued to US 60 and turned west Phoenix bound. I hadn't gone too far when I came upon the town of Miami, AZ. So THIS is where Jack Elam if from, huh? It was exactly like the places he was in, in those rough and tumble cowboy roles. He couldn't have been from any place else. He was already in character from the day he was born!

[@delstanley1349]

+Faronthefiddler> Yes indeed, it is shorter, but in the past I hated all the stops so I stayed on I-10 in Lordsburg. Then a couple of years ago there was so much construction on I-10 east of Tucson that it got down to one lane and there was no time saving taking the interstate. Some years ago I stopped at one of those roadside rest stops in that area. I think it was not too far from a prison facility. I was sitting on a concrete table near a saguaro tree when I noticed a marker. It said "Tom Mix died on the spot." Tom Mix was kind of one of the original cowboy stars, back-way--way--way back in the day.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Del Stanley wow

[@marlenalinne6100]

Jack was, quite possibly, one of the best character actors ever.

[@seaburg38]

There were precious few actors that I had a desire to meet, and Jack was one of them.

[@41magfan]

So under rated.

[@pretorious700]

A true gentleman and incredible natural actor.

[@willj17speaks]

Mr. Jack Elam was hands-down the very best bad guy in Westerns a true legend,🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@marcdewey3848]

Always liked this guy.

[@tyronedoberson3054]

One Of Hollywood's Tough, Bad Ass Guys Who Brought Out The Best Of Other Actors ! R.I.P. Jack Elam

[@นีรนุชคิง-ฬ1ถ]

Toothy Thompson, always brought a smile to our faces in Britain in the 60s and THAT took some doing. Still does. Thanks Jack.

[@thetruth3768]

Westerns would not have been the same without him. Sounds like he is a fun person. He was a great actor, worked with so many big stars. Letterman is pitiful by comparison.

[@eugenebell3166]

Love Jack Elam, amazing eyes and eyebrows, great expression in the characters he has played. He's a one off.

[@junebugandjoy]

r

[@jimechols4347]

I liked him as the spooky doctor in cannonball run.

[@HoosierRooster]

What a gentleman great character actor and obviously a real fun guy and a great human being they don't make them like this anymore

[@billhaleyrock2471]

Einer der besten Schauspieler aller Zeiten.Solche Leute wie Jack Elam ersetzt keiner mehr.

[@graemew7001]

Ich habe mir die Zeit genommen, Ihren Kommentar bei Google ins Englische zu übersetzen, und ich bin froh, dass ich das getan habe, weil ich es selbst nicht besser hätte sagen können

[@billhaleyrock2471]

@@graemew7001 Thank you.

[@aaronstielstra6055]

Jack is the best. Letterman conducts this interview like he's bored and unprepared.

[@elainehinton6876]

I knew Jack. Him and I were smoking buddies. We would have coffee and smoke cigarrettes at the Coffee Bean in Santa Monica. Very nice man. Very humble and down to earth

[@rollotomasi8116]

Jack was great.......a true actor.....

[@csi2448]

Letterman obviously had no clue who Mr. Elam was. Kind of sad. But overall, Jack seemed like he took it in stride and came off like the great guy he was. And very very hilarious! Anything I saw him in, no matter the role, he was great. Just watched a Gunsmoke episode "My Father, My Son" earlier for about the fifth time, and he was absolutely brilliant!

[@williambarringer9377]

Elam not only played a great character, but HAD character. Letterman, not so much.

[@leodwinak]

Saying Letterman had no clue is accurate on so many levels.

[@SR-iy4gg]

Why do you think he didn't know who Jack Elam was? How could he not know who Jack was? Jack is 32 years older than me. I'm sure he had to have know who Jack Elam was!

[@hutchmusician]

This is how interviews work. You ask questions like you don’t know the answers.

[@patrickmuhwheeney6518]

Just superb... Thanks for the upload!

[@rogerkilby4303]

Jack you were the coolest !!! You made many a bad movie a good movie !!! Thanks for the memories !!! :)

[@lhs66]

I remember his humor in cannonball run. This villain was a treasure

[@davidmorin6667]

Enjoyed Jack in "once apone a time in the west", support your local sheriff, and gunfighter

[@TheShizue777]

Love him always!