Sam Elliot doesn’t need social media to grab people’s attention. His iconic mustache does that for him…and his acting talents!
In one way, social media has connected us in ways people never dreamed of in generations past. With just one quick search we can see what our high school friend is up to, send event invites to all of our friends, or video chat our family. So, in that way, social media is pretty cool.
However, there are also downsides. In theory, social media connects us all. But, in practice, it sometimes seems to do the opposite for real-life connections. Actor Sam Elliott, who starred on the Netflix hit show The Ranch, said he agreed with the latter during an interview in 2015.
“Everywhere you look, people are looking at their hands,” said Elliot. “In restaurants, it’s like you’re sitting in a patch of jack-o’-lanterns because everyone’s face is lit up by their phone. Nobody’s relating to each other.”
Similarly, Sam Elliot said that he also opted out of the Hollywood lifestyle. During another interview in 2015, Elliot said that he and his wife, actress Katharine Ross, are happy with a quiet life together.
“We stay out of town, and we don’t get in too deep. We don’t believe all the sh*t in the rags. And we work hard. Katharine and I have a lot in common. We’ve got a 30-year-old daughter Cleo that we’re deeply in love with and still incredibly close to,” said Elliot. “Life’s good. We live in Malibu and have horses and dogs and cats and chickens. We shovel sh*t, man. That keeps you humble.”
Sam Elliot Never Needed Social Media To Set Trends
Today we have hashtags and social media influencers who sway the trends of the times. But when Sam Elliot was just starting his career, he didn’t have any of that. Nevertheless, he managed to set a trend for men everywhere. Can you guess what it was? If you guessed a manly mustache, you’re right! During the same interview, Elliot claimed that he was the first to sport the mustache. And superstar Tom Selleck picked up the trend soon after him.
“I was one of the early guys from my generation to have hair on his face,” said Elliot. “Me and Tom Selleck, and I was first. I shaved clean and combed my hair straight back for a show called Justified on FX. It was fun transforming my look, but I did feel naked without the mustache.”
There you have it. Sam Elliot is living proof that, even without social media, you can still connect with people enough to influence their grooming habits. #90strends.