Sam Elliott and wife Katharine Ross: From Reel to Real

Sam Elliott and wife Katharine Ross have been around as a couple for over three decades now. And they are one of the few who have luckily made it that long in the movie industry. The two first officially met on the set of a movie, and from there, their relationship grew from reel to real, and they had been in love ever since. 

So, let’s take a ride down memory lane back to 1978 when they first met, and maybe along the way, we’ll discover the secret to a long-lasting, growing, and empowering love like theirs. 

First Chapter: 1978 The Legacy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @la_ventana_indiscreta

Although Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross worked in the same industry as actors, the two didn’t officially meet until 1978. At the time Sam Elliott’s wife Katharine Ross was at the peak of her career, playing iconic roles such as Elaine Robinson in The Graduate (1967) and Etta Place in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). 

On the other hand, Katharine Ross’ spouse Sam Elliott was just starting out on his career. In fact, he was an extra in a bar scene in Ross’ Butch Cassidy, but he didn’t dare to try and talk to her then. And they never actually met each other during filming. 

And then they landed the main roles for the 1978 horror film The Legacy. The two played the American couple in England, and it all started there. Although at the time of filming, Ross was still married to his then-fourth husband, Gaetano Lisi. They divorced a year later, and then in 1984, she married Elliott. She was his first and only wife. 

Second Chapter: Marriage, Family, and the Elliot’s Breakout Role 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sam Elliott (@officialsamelliott)

RELATED: 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Sam Elliott

As they say, behind a successful man is a woman with great gut feeling. 

At the time, the couple was enjoying themselves in Hawaii when Elliott’s agent called him for an audition. He declined to return early to test for the role as he was still on his honeymoon. But Sam Elliott’s wife had a different feeling about it, so she called back his agent and said that she’ll get her husband back in time for the audition. 

And sure enough, she was right. The opportunity turned out to be Elliott’s breakout role (1985 film Mask), garnering him critical acclaim for his performance. According to Los Angeles Times, his portrayal of Cher’s biker boyfriend Gar definitely received just as much critical attention as the top-billing stars of the film, Eric Stoltz and Cher. 

But aside from a blossoming career, he and his wife also welcomed their daughter Cleo Rose on September 17, 1984. Needless to say, they were having the best time of their lives. 

Meet Sam Elliott’s daughter, Cleo Rose

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sam Elliott (@officialsamelliott)

Born in Malibu, California, Cleo Rose grew up in a life filled with music. At a young age, she was already learning to play the flute and the guitar and also singing. She attended Malibu High School then Colin McEwen High School, where she graduated. After that, she received classical opera vocal training from Charity Chapman, focusing on Italian opera and the musical tradition of Bel Canto. Then at the age of 18, she attended the Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Acting Studio in Santa Monica, where she studied music until 2006. 

She trained with several other musicians until she became a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), where she was introduced to music producer Bobby Harby. With his help, Cleo launched his debut solo CD No More Lies, in 2008. 

Aside from being a musician, she also tried modeling, and she had been featured in various fashion magazines. Now, she is currently engaged to musician Randy Christopher Bates, and she has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million dollars. 

Third Chapter: The Controversy

Back in 2011, actress Katharine Ross filed a restraining order against her own daughter after Cleo allegedly repeatedly stabbed her in the arm with scissors. According to Ross, Cleo, who was 26 at the time, had been verbally and emotionally abusing her and had become increasingly violent at the age of 12 or 13. 

After a hearing, Cleo was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from her mother, whether it was her home, her car, or her workplace. But it seems like the mother and daughter had worked things out and are now doing okay. 

As for Sam Elliott and wife Katharine Ross, the two are currently enjoying a quiet life in Malibu, away from all the limelight.