Katharine Juliet Ross first gained widespread attention with her role in *The Graduate,* starring alongside Dustin Hoffman. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year.
The film, a massive success, grossed $104.9 million in the U.S. and Canada, making it the highest-grossing film of 1967. Its enigmatic ending, featuring Hoffman’s Benjamin and Ross’s Elaine on a city bus, remains iconic.
Ross revealed in an interview that the scene’s prolonged filming left her imagining Elaine stepping off at the next stop.
Reflecting on her co-star, Ross described Hoffman as a serious New York stage actor and recalled their initial meeting with humor, noting his pale appearance and all-black attire. She also shared that Gene Hackman, once cast as her on-screen father, withdrew from the role.
Ross’s acting career began in 1962 with *Sam Benedict* and her film debut in *Shenandoah* alongside James Stewart. Over the years, she appeared in notable films like *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,* where she starred in an unforgettable scene with Paul Newman.
For over four decades, Ross has been happily married to actor Sam Elliott. Despite meeting on *Butch Cassidy,* Elliott, then a background extra, admired her from afar.
Years later, they reunited on *The Legacy,* sparking one of Hollywood’s enduring love stories. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Cleo Rose Elliott, and collaborated on multiple projects, including *The Hero.*
Elliott attributes their lasting bond to shared values and perseverance, emphasizing the importance of working through challenges rather than walking away.
