Actor Jack Elam dies

[2dogs]

Most probably never heard of him- just a bit character actor really.

I liked his attitude though:

"But he complained about the modern villains that evolved in the 1970s, who had shades of psychological problems behind their bad behavior. "The heavy today is usually not my kind of guy," he said in the Los Angeles Times in 1977.

"In the old days, Rory Calhoun was the hero because he was the hero and I was the heavy because I was the heavy — and nobody cared what my problem was. And I didn't either," he added. "I robbed the bank because I wanted the money ... I've played all kinds of weirdos but I've never done the quiet, sick type. I never had a problem — other than the fact I was just bad."


another old timer bites the dust.

 

[DorGunR]

Actor Jack Elam dies
Most probably never heard of him

Maybe so, but I've been a fan of Jack Elam for many years, I thought he was the "perfect" bad guy.

RIP......Jack.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Now,
Will somebody please tie firearms and Jack Elam together ?

Sam

 

[DorGunR]

Awww, CR Sam.....you know Jack always carried a colt single action pistol in those western movies.

 

[BigG]

He was the guy with each eye looking in a different direction in about a thousand or so cowboy movies, much like Lee Van Cleef, he was everywhere. Came along way before Marty Feldman (another goggle eye) who made Young Frankenstein. Played Eye-gor.

 

[critter]

I liked him when he played with John Wayne and carried a sawed-off shotgun and a bag of buckshot shells on a strap around his neck.

JW told him he was 'out of range', but he 'was going to shoot anyway. Just made him feel better!'

Good actor. I miss the old ones!

 

[HogRider]

The perfect "bad guy". Anybody remember the opening scenes of "Once upon a time in the West", where he caught that fly in the barrel of his Colt and played with it while waiting at the train station? I always loved that scene.

 

[DF357]

James Garner and...

he starred in a cuppla films. Support Your Local Sherrif and Support Your Local gunfighter, I think were the names of them. Jack Elam was a funny guy. Will miss him.

 

[FPrice]

Jack Elam was...

one of the many outstanding supporting actors who helped make good movies better. Sometimes the star has to carry the show but more often than not it's the supporting actors who can really flesh out the whole story.

Sam,

He played in numerous westerns and he was well-liked and respected by many of us who like and respect firearms. Close enough for me to allow that his passing rates a thread on THR.

 

[Atticus]

http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=15282&c=c&search=17582&cat=101

Jack Elam with the fly trap.

 

[JJohnston015]

"If you hear a loud noise, it'll be Mr. Ketchum dying." -- From "Rio Lobo", where he had the triggers of his coach gun wired back.

Internet Movie Databse entry for Jack Elam

 

[STW]

How can you not like a forum where a bunch of Jack Elam fans hang out?

He said that there was a time in his career that people would see him walking down the street and cross to the other side to avoid him. They don't make a badder bad guy then that.

Sorry he's gone. Glad his movies aren't.

 

[stephen_g22]

Didn't he play the doctor in Cannonball Run?

 

[FPrice]

DJJ...

Thanks for that reference. Some interesting reading, did not realize that he was in 130 movies. Quite a bit.

Jack Elam - "Colorful American character actor equally adept at vicious killers or grizzled sidekicks."

May he rest in peace.

 

[dinosaur]

A moment of silence for an old friend.

 

[jhisaac1]

Support Your Local Sherrif and Support Your Local gunfighter

"Me and the Sherrif takes a dim view of thems that play with guns." (or something like that.)

On a trivial note, I worked with his great-niece-twice-removed or some such relation a few years ago. She was close enough to have the last name, but wasn't granddaughter close.

Jason

 

[bdhawk]

R.I.P. JACK ELAM

he was in a TV western series. in the opening credits he would see his pardner across the street. he pulled out a cigar and match. his pardner shoots from across the street and strikes the match. elam pulls his sixgun and shoots, spinning the rowel on his pardners spur. without damaging the spur. now that's shootin'.

 

[jsalcedo]

Didn't he play the doctor in Cannonball Run?

Yep

 

[RocketMan]

What fun guy to watch in his various roles. Always enjoyed seeing him.
Gonna miss him.
R.I.P.

 

[AUTIGER04]

I didnt know the name until I saw his pic. RIP Jack.

 

[Moparmike]

James Garner and...
he starred in a cuppla films. Support Your Local Sherrif and Support Your Local gunfighter, I think were the names of them. Jack Elam was a funny guy. Will miss him.

Oh man. Now I know who you are talking about. That really stinks.

 

[ARperson]

Will somebody please tie firearms and Jack Elam together ?

Criminitly.

Does every last little thing we talk about on this board have to be related to firearms?

You want a tie: he played in lots of movies where he handled firearms.

Viola! Jack Elam and firearms, neatly tied together.

 

[jsalcedo]

Does every last little thing we talk about on this board have to be related to firearms?

Yes, unless you are in the Legal and Political forum then you can talk about politics and laws.

 

[FTG-05]

Harley,

Are you sure that's the name of the movie where he caught the fly? I know he did it, but IMDB doesn't list that movie name with him. Great movie, I want it on DVD.

Thanks,

Albin

 

[Quartus]

I liked him when he played with John Wayne and carried a sawed-off shotgun and a bag of buckshot shells on a strap around his neck.

The ORIGINAL uber-tactical!


Best scene was when he capped one round in the air to show the BGs he was serious - or crazy - and then shoved the shotgun in the head BG's neck and said, "I got one barrel left!"


I liked him better as a sidekick. He shorrrr didn't have the looks for a leading man!