Jack Elam was an American film actor who had a net worth of about 2 million dollars by the time of his death. The late actor made most of his fortune through his acting career, but he had other businesses that contributed to his overall fortune. Jack Elam, who was born in 1920, died in October 2003 due to congestive heart failure.
Jack Elam appeared in over 100 films and television shows, and he mostly played the role of villains. His misaligned left eye was a perfect physical quality for his various roles as a villain.
Jack Elam Did Several Jobs Before Becoming an Actor
Before venturing into the acting industry, Jack Elam worked several jobs so that he could make ends meet. He had a wife and kids, and as such, he had to work to ensure they had everything they needed. After college, the late actor worked as a salesman for a housing agency before moving to an oil company where he worked as an accountant.
After that, Jack got a job as a bookkeeper at the Bank of America. He worked there for a while before moving to Hotel Bel Air, where he was a manager. Despite being partially blind, Jack Elam joined the U.S. Navy and served for a while before he was honorably discharged.
After his discharge, Jack Elam took a job as an accountant at a production company. He also worked as an auditor for film producer Samuel Goldwyn. This work demanded him to work long hours going through several records. Given the amount of work he had to go through, Jack often strained his right eye, and as such, he had to through several operations. His doctor advised him that if he did not want to lose his sight, then he had to let go of the job and look for something else.
Acting Career
After leaving his work as an auditor and accountant, Jack Elam ventured into the acting career, making his debut in She Shoulda Said No! The late actor went on to appear in several shows and films. Additionally, his misaligned left eye played a crucial role in ensuring his success. He was often cast as a villain, and his misaligned eye came in handy.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Jack Elam became a household name, appearing in several films and television shows, including The Lone Ranger, Tales of Wells Fargo, Rawhide, Lawman, Gunsmoke, and The Rifleman. In the 1970s and 1980s, Jack Elam continued appearing in several shows, mainly playing the villain. However, he had a role as a good guy when he portrayed U.S. Marshal J.D Smith in The Dakotas.
Net Worth and Wrap-Up
Jack Elam was a great actor who mainly played villains. However, despite playing the villains, he was one of the most loved actors in the 1960s and 1970s. Additionally, his misaligned left eye not only helped him land roles but also played a crucial role in his journey toward realizing financial success. He died with a net worth of 2 million dollars, and his family was charged with managing his finances.
