Imagine going from being virtually unknown to an Academy Award-nominated star overnight. That’s exactly what happened to Katharine Juliet Ross. Her portrayal of Elaine in ‘The Graduate’ alongside Dustin Hoffman turned her into what was often described as a Hollywood sensation.

Katharine Ross’s career spans many years and boasts much success. However, while her professional life soared, her personal life was a bit more turbulent. She’s been married five times, but her fifth marriage to famed actor Sam Elliott has turned out to be the ultimate journey of love and companionship.

Though Katharine hasn’t graced the screen in recent years, there’s so much more to her story than just acting. Her beauty and grace endure even today at 85 years old, and here’s all you need to know about the intriguing life of Katharine Ross.

Born in the heart of Hollywood, California on January 29, 1940, Katharine was not immediately surrounded by the glamour of showbiz. Her father, Dudley, had a career as a reporter for the Associated Press and also served as a U.S. Navy commander, leading the family to often relocate. They lived in Virginia, moved to Palo Alto, California, and finally settled in Walnut Creek, near San Francisco, where Katharine spent her formative years and graduated from Las Lomas High School in 1957.

College life at Santa Rosa Junior College marked a turning point for Katharine. It was here she discovered her passion for acting, participating in theatrical productions that reshaped her future. Inspired by her performance in ‘The King and I,’ she made the bold decision to pursue acting seriously, leading to her studying at The Actors Workshop in San Francisco. Her dedication was such that she even moved into a modest apartment above a grocery store to be closer to the workshop.

Over three years, Katharine honed her craft and managed to land minor roles on TV shows, proving she was not only talented but also adept at auditions.

“I was queen of the screen tests,” she recalled to Life Magazine in 1968, sharing how she constantly traveled between San Francisco and Los Angeles, balancing screen tests and stage performances. Her TV roles may have been varied—played hit-and-run drivers, was on ‘Gunsmoke’ as a sympathetic character—but they were vital to building her career.

During college, she met her first husband, Joel Fabiani, her college sweetheart. Their marriage in 1960 was the first of five, as we shall discuss ahead.

Early years in her career were pivotal. Known for her appearances in television Westerns, Katharine naturally fit into that realm with her beauty.

However, the journey wasn’t free of challenges. Like many young actresses at the time, Katharine faced exploitation and the difficulties of the industry.

“I remember doing a screen test for Samuel Goldwyn Jr.’s ‘The Young Lovers.’ Though pepped up for the role, it didn’t go as expected,” she told Variety. After enduring hair styling sessions, the role was eventually given to someone else.

Katharine Ross – Starring as Elaine in ‘The Graduate’

“Cinematic changes were brewing,” Katharine continued, “with smaller budget films paving new roads.” Her big break came under the direction of Mike Nichols when he cast her in ‘The Graduate’—a milestone role alongside Dustin Hoffman.

Reflecting on Hoffman, she remarked, “He seemed like a New York stage actor down on his luck; our first impression was striking.”

‘The Graduate’ was a masterpiece, catapulting Katharine to star status overnight, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

The film’s ending remains enigmatic—capturing Benjamin and Elaine’s uncertain future together, as they sat in silence on a city bus.

Finding Love on the ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ Set

Despite the film’s hopeful tale of love rejoined, the ending left viewers pondering the reality. Katharine herself thought Elaine disembarked at the next stop, revealing how it was all unscripted magic.

In 1969, she portrayed a significant role in ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,’ forever enshrined in film history alongside Paul Newman. By wrapping up the project, she had unknowingly worked alongside her future husband, Sam Elliott.

Her personal life was a sequence of marriages; she married John Marion in 1964 and Conrad Hall, ‘Butch Cassidy’s cinematographer, in 1969. Conrad and she divorced in 1973, and a year later, she married Gaetano “Tom” Lisi, a union that lasted only until 1979, the year she met Sam Elliott.

Sam Elliott had admired her since ‘Butch Cassidy,’ but only felt confident pursuing her a decade later on the set of ‘The Legacy,’ where they first interacted.

Sam wasn’t impressed with the film but was captivated by Katharine’s presence, which led him to attend the London premiere despite reservations.

“His unique voice and rugged charm drew me in,” Katharine shared with The Mercury News.

Katharine and Sam welcomed their daughter, Cleo Rose Elliott, in 1984, and she later followed her creative dreams as a musician. Katharine and Sam’s decision to support Cleo’s musical talents over acting underscores their understanding of life’s varied paths.

Katharine Ross Now

They embraced collaborative opportunities, starring in several television films together, such as ‘Conagher,’ which Sam describes as a highlight of his career.

In 2017, they shared the screen in ‘The Hero,’ showcasing their chemistry. “It’s enjoyable sharing both work and home life with someone,” Elliott said to the Los Angeles Times.

Today, they divide their days between California and Oregon, and though Katharine has not acted recently, she has found a new passion as an author of several children’s books.

Their secret to a lasting marriage is founded on mutual love and effort. In Sam’s words, it’s about wanting both a career and a family, feeling blessed to have both.

Share Katharine Ross’s inspiring story, celebrating her legacy and her enduring partnership with Sam Elliott!