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| If you look closely at Jack Elam's junior photo in
the 1936 Phoenician, year book of Phoenix Union High School, you may
be able to spot his trademark wandering eye. 10-02. |
Elam, Jack
(1916.12.13-2003.10.20)
Actor.
 Born in Miami
 Lived in Phoenix
 Graduated from Phoenix
Union High School
Even if you don't recognize the name, you would probably
recognize the face. Elam is the character actor distinguished by a
grizzled appearance and a wandering eye. His left eye was left
sightless from a childhood fight.
 Elam was born in Miami and
graduated from Phoenix Union High School. He became an accountant
after attending Santa Monica Junior College in California, and was once
the manager of the Bel Air Hotel. He traded his accounting services
to get his first movie role.
He has appeared in more than 130 films, and made over 88
television appearances. At the start of his career, he played
thugs--his first credited role was as a killer (Trailin' West,
1949). By the 1970's, his parts had morphed in often humorous
western heavies, and he was headed toward the lovable old coot stage.
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