Sam Elliott Rushed to Save His Burning Rustic Ranch Where He Raised Only Child with Wife of 38 Years

Many years after he first saw his wife Katharine Ross and couldn’t approach her, Sam Elliott finally had the opportunity to meet the actress. Now, the pair have been married for 38 years and share one daughter. Their marriage seems like a fairy tale but hasn’t been without its challenges, including a fire disaster. Here are the details.

Hollywood icons Sam Elliott and his wife, Katharine Ross, have a remarkable love story that has lasted for nearly forty years. The lovebirds first saw each other physically on the set of the 1969 Western drama, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids.”

However, during a 2015 chat with AARP The Magazine, Elliott revealed that he did not attempt to talk to Ross at that point.

Sam Elliott and actress Katharine Ross attend the Party to Celebrate the Signing of the California Bilateral Nuclear Weapons Freeze Initiative on January 10, 1982, at Peg & Bud Yorkin’s home in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

According to the actor, his future wife was the “leading lady” while he was a “glorified extra in a bar scene.” Nevertheless, Elliott was intrigued by Ross and spent time on the set watching the actress and her co-stars perform. Many years later, in 1978, the Hollywood stars finally had their first interaction in London when they worked together again on the horror film “The Legacy.”

After their first meeting, Elliott and Ross saw more of each other while shooting. It was only a matter of time before the duo started dating. Later, Ross would confess that she was attracted to Elliott because of his baritone voice, mustache, and good looks.

Katharine Ross and actor Sam Elliott attend the Second Annual Benefit Concert for the Malibu Emergency Room on March 18, 1984, at the Firestone Fieldhouse, Pepperdine Univesity in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images

The lovebirds dated for a while before eventually exchanging wedding vows in 1984, and while it was the actress’s fifth marriage, it was her husband’s first. After they tied the knot, the couple flew to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

It was an amazing experience for the duo, especially Elliott, who almost turned down a role because he wanted to enjoy his honeymoon. The actor was in Hawaii when the casting of 1985’s “Mask” began.

Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott, and daughter Cleo Elliott attend the “Moscow Circus Opening” on March 14, 1990, at Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. | Source: Getty Images

He was to feature as Cher’s lover in the movie but told his agent that he was unavailable. However, at night, Ross came to the rescue, calling the agent back and letting him know Elliott would be available. Thankfully, everything worked out, and when the movie came out, it was a hit.

The Couple Lived Happily on Their Ranch for Many Years

Elliott and Ross welcomed their only daughter, Cleo, in the same year they tied the knot. Following the arrival of their only child, the family settled in their rural ranch in Malibu.

It was a terrible experience for the actor, who recalled watching the house behind his property and the guy next door burn to the ground.

Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott, and daughter Cleo during Jurassic Park III Premiere – July 16, 2001, at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

The beautiful property was built with wood in 1983 and is over 3000 square feet, while the interior features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large stone fireplace, dark wooden accents, an open kitchen, and vaulted wooden beams.

The rural ranch also holds some of Elliott and Ross’s beautiful memories. There, they devoted time to their only daughter and raised her in the best way possible. The actor once noted that fatherhood was one of the best things he had experienced. According to him (via Parade):

“It completes me. I’ve been married once, and I have one daughter, whom I love more than anyone in the world. And that’s where my world is.”

Besides being available for Cleo, Elliott and his wife also cheered their daughter on when she decided to pursue a career in singing.

Cleo had always known how to play musical instruments from a young age, but when she grew older, she was convinced singing was what she wanted to do.

Cleo Rose Elliott, Sam Elliot, and Katherine Ross during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival – New Line 40th Anniversary “Golden Compass” Party in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images

With the support and encouragement from Elliott and Ross, who were thrilled that their daughter chose not to pursue acting, Cleo succeeded in her musical career.

In 2009, she released an album titled “No More Lies.” The album features pop-rock sounds, and Cleo wrote all but one of its songs. Overall, Elliott found happiness with a successful musician as a daughter and a long-lasting union.

Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott, and daughter Cleo Elliott attend the Premiere Of The Orchard’s “The Hero” at the Egyptian Theatre on June 5, 2017, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

He and his family enjoyed their lives at the cozy ranch for years. But unfortunately, they didn’t expect the tragedy that was to befall them.

Sam’s Family House Was Engulfed in Flames, Yet He Saved it Along with Firefighters

2018 will always be a year to remember for Elliott. It started well with the actor starring in a new film, “A Star Is Born.” However, toward the end of the year, Elliott experienced a tragic event.

In November 2018, while promoting his role in the movie, the movie star’s ranch was engulfed in the forest wildfire that ravaged Malibu. During a chat with EW, Elliott noted that he assisted the firefighters in trying to quench the flames.

It was a terrible experience for the actor, who recalled watching the house behind his property and the guy next door burn to the ground.

An image of Sam Elliott’s family house being burnt down. | Source: YouTube/CBS Sunday Morning

But fortunately, Elliott’s house was not destroyed. Although the tragic occurrence remained vivid in his memory, the Hollywood star was grateful for the little that remained of his property. In the February 2019 chat with EW, he confessed that the area was bouncing back. In the words of the actor:

“A lot of it is very green now, it’s coming back, and eventually, it will all come back, but it’s going to be a long time. A lot of people lost everything. We know people who lost everything. You know, a thousand homes burned or whatever. It’s a horrific thing.”

An image of Sam Elliott’s family house being burnt down. | Source: YouTube/CBS Sunday Morning

Four years after the wildfire, the greenery around the rural ranch has renewed, and the actor, his wife, and daughter live a calm family life. Elliott and Ross are enjoying their 38-year marriage, which the former gushes about occasionally.

During a 2017 interview, the actor spoke candidly about the secret to his long-lasting union. In his words (via NPR):

“I think it really boils down to our love, and we work at it. And I think more importantly than anything, it takes wanting to be married.”

Sam Elliott, wife Katharine Ross, and daughter Cleo Rose Elliott attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘A Star Is Born’ at The Shrine Auditorium on September 24, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

According to Elliott, he had always wanted to have a movie career and be married. Thankfully, he got his wishes, and decades later, his career and marriage are thriving. Hopefully, Elliott and Ross’s love will continue for a lifetime.