About
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 job 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
BonanzaSeries • 1959
Home ImprovementSeries • 1991
The VirginianSeries • 1962
The Twilight ZoneSeries • 1959
Have Gun, Will TravelSeries • 1957
The RiflemanSeries • 1958
Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreSeries • 1956
Four Star PlayhouseSeries • 1952
Simon & SimonSeries • 1981
CheyenneSeries • 1955
The Wild Wild WestSeries • 1965
Daniel BooneSeries • 1964
Ben CaseySeries • 1961
RawhideSeries • 1959
The UntouchablesSeries • 1959
The High ChaparralSeries • 1967
LawmanSeries • 1958
The Lone RangerSeries • 1949
ZorroSeries • 1957
GunsmokeSeries • 1955
LaramieSeries • 1959
Eight Is EnoughSeries • 1977
F TroopSeries • 1965
Alias Smith and JonesSeries • 1971