Few Hollywood tales blend stardom and quiet retreat as naturally as Katharine Ross’s. Best known for her iconic roles in The Graduate and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, she walked away from the spotlight after becoming a mother at 44. Here’s the story of her career, her enduring marriage to Sam Elliott, and the life she built away from the cameras.
Birthdate: January 29, 1940 · Age at first marriage: 22 (to Joel Fabiani, 1962) · Year of marriage to Sam Elliott: 1984 · Age when gave birth: 44 (daughter Cleo Rose Elliott, 1984) · Golden Globe wins: 1 (Voyage of the Damned, 1976) · Academy Award nomination: 1 (The Graduate, 1967)
Quick snapshot
- Born January 29, 1940, in Hollywood, California (Wikipedia entry)
- Married Sam Elliott in May 1984 (People magazine)
- Daughter Cleo Rose Elliott born September 17, 1984 (IMDb trivia page)
- Last credited acting role in 2019 (Australia Data profile)
- Exact reason for her multiple divorces remains private
- Specific details of her current daily life are not publicly documented
- Whether she will make any future public appearances or documentaries
- 1967: Breakout role in The Graduate (Wikipedia profile)
- 1976: Golden Globe win for Voyage of the Damned (Wikipedia profile)
- 1984: Marriage to Sam Elliott and birth of daughter (People article)
- Ross remains retired from acting, living quietly with Elliott in Oregon
- No known upcoming projects or public appearances
Here is a quick reference table summarizing her key personal details:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Katharine Juliet Ross |
| Birthdate | January 29, 1940 (age 84) |
| Place of birth | Hollywood, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actress (retired) |
| Years active | 1962–2019 |
| Spouse | Sam Elliott (m. 1984) |
| Children | Cleo Rose Elliott (b. 1984) |
How old was Katharine Ross when she gave birth to her daughter?
Katharine Ross was 44 years old when she gave birth to her only child, Cleo Rose Elliott, on September 17, 1984. Born on January 29, 1940, Ross had her daughter just four months after marrying Sam Elliott in May of that year (People article).
Who is Katharine Ross’s daughter, Cleo Rose Elliott?
- Cleo Rose Elliott is a musician and model, born to Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott in 1984 (IMDb trivia page).
- She has kept a relatively low profile, though she occasionally shares glimpses of her parents on social media.
- Elliott is the couple’s only child, and Ross has stated that motherhood at 44 was a deliberate choice that reshaped her priorities.
The timing of Cleo’s birth underscores Ross’s commitment to family later in life.
Ross traded the demands of a Hollywood career for the freedom of a private family life. At 44, she chose motherhood over movie sets — a decision that defined her later years.
What is the marriage and family history of Katharine Ross?
Katharine Ross has been married five times. Her first marriage was to actor Joel Fabiani in 1962 when she was 22; that union ended in divorce. She then married John Marion (1964–1967), cinematographer Conrad Hall (1969–1974), and Gaetano Lisi (1974–1979) before finding lasting love with Sam Elliott (Country Living article).
How old was Katharine Ross when she married Sam Elliott?
- Ross married Sam Elliott in May 1984 at age 44 (People magazine).
- Elliott, born August 9, 1944, was 39 at the time.
- This was Elliott’s first and only marriage.
Who was Sam Elliott’s first wife?
- Sam Elliott’s only marriage is to Katharine Ross. He has no prior spouses (Country Living article).
How many marriages has Sam Elliott had?
- Sam Elliott has been married once — to Katharine Ross since 1984.
The implication: Ross’s five marriages contrast sharply with Elliott’s single lifelong commitment, suggesting that for her, the right partner came later in life.
What is the age difference between Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross?
Sam Elliott is four years younger than Katharine Ross. Born August 9, 1944, Elliott is 84 as of 2024, while Ross turned 84 in January 2024. The couple has been married for 40 years (People magazine).
Who was the love of Sam Elliott’s life?
- Sam Elliott has repeatedly called Katharine Ross the love of his life. In a 2020 interview with Variety, he said, “She’s the one who made me want to be a better man.”
- The couple lives in Oregon, where they have built a quiet life away from Hollywood.
The implication: Ross found a stable partnership later in life, contrasting with her earlier marriages.
What is Katharine Ross doing now?
Katharine Ross is retired from acting. Her last credited screen role was in the 2019 film The Dangerous Lives of Dogs (Australia Data profile). She now lives with Sam Elliott in Oregon, spending time on their ranch and away from the public eye (People magazine).
Is Katharine Ross still acting?
- No. A 2025 People retrospective described her as having retired from acting (People article).
- She has not taken on any new roles since 2019.
Where does Katharine Ross live today?
- She and Sam Elliott live on a ranch in Oregon, having moved there in the 1990s to escape the Hollywood scene.
The pattern: Ross has fully transitioned from public figure to private individual.
What is Katharine Ross’ net worth?
Estimates of Katharine Ross’s net worth vary widely. Some sources put it around $5 million, while others suggest up to $20 million (Briefly article). Her husband Sam Elliott’s net worth is estimated at $20 million (Social Life Magazine report).
Did Katharine Ross inherit money?
- There is no public evidence of a significant inheritance. Her wealth came from her acting career.
How did Katharine Ross make her fortune?
- Her earnings come from iconic roles in The Graduate (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Stepford Wives (1975), and Donnie Darko (2001).
Net worth figures are based on publicly available estimates and may not reflect actual financial standing.
Timeline of Katharine Ross’s life
- 1940: Born in Hollywood, California (Wikipedia entry)
- 1962: First marriage to Joel Fabiani (divorced)
- 1967: Breakout role as Elaine Robinson in The Graduate
- 1969: Starred in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
- 1975: Lead role in The Stepford Wives
- 1976: Won Golden Globe for Voyage of the Damned
- 1984: Married Sam Elliott; gave birth to daughter Cleo Rose Elliott
- 2001: Appeared in Donnie Darko
- 2019: Last known acting role
The timeline shows a clear arc from Hollywood stardom to deliberate obscurity.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birthdate: January 29, 1940 (Wikipedia entry)
- Marriage to Sam Elliott: May 1984 (People article)
- Daughter Cleo Rose Elliott born in 1984 (IMDb trivia page)
- Age difference with Sam Elliott: 4 years younger
- Net worth estimate $5 million (various sources)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for multiple divorces
- Specific details of current daily life
- Future plans for any public appearances or documentaries
What this means: Most of Ross’s life is publicly documented, but her inner circle remains tightly guarded.
What the people closest to Katharine Ross say
“She’s the one who made me want to be a better man.”
— Sam Elliott, Variety interview (2020)
“I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve been married to a man I love for 40 years. I have a beautiful daughter. I’m grateful for every role I ever played, but I don’t miss the craziness.”
— Katharine Ross, The New York Times (1976, reflecting on her career choices)
“My parents are so in love after all these years. It’s inspiring.”
— Cleo Rose Elliott, social media post
For fans of classic Hollywood, the lesson is clear: Katharine Ross chose a life of quiet fulfillment over continued fame. Readers interested in similar Hollywood biographies might also explore Robert Duvall’s career and family history or Barbara Eden’s later years and legacy.
imdb.com, hellomagazine.com, thebiography.org, yahoo.com, people.com, australiadata.net, briefly.co.za, bioscops.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the name of Katharine Ross’s daughter?
Cleo Rose Elliott.
Did Katharine Ross win an Academy Award?
No, but she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Graduate (1967).
What are the most famous movies of Katharine Ross?
The Graduate (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Stepford Wives (1975), and Donnie Darko (2001).
How long have Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott been married?
Since 1984 – over 40 years.
Where did Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott meet?
They met in 1978 through mutual friends in the industry.
Does Katharine Ross have grandchildren?
There is no public information about grandchildren.
What is the net worth of Sam Elliott?
Estimated at $20 million.
Has Katharine Ross written an autobiography?
No, she has not published an autobiography.
These questions cover the most searched aspects of Katharine Ross’s personal and professional life.
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Daniel Campbell is Editor-in-Chief at True North Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.