This Iconic Star of ‘The Graduate’ Is 83—Her Transformation Will Shock You

Katharine Juliet Ross went from being an unknown actress to a famous star overnight. She is best known for playing Elaine in *The Graduate* alongside Dustin Hoffman. Over the years, many people called her a Hollywood bombshell.

Ross has had a long and successful career in acting. However, her personal life has been quite different. She has been married five times. Luckily, her fifth marriage to the beloved actor Sam Elliott has turned out to be a happy one.

It’s been a while since Katharine Ross appeared on screen, but her life is about more than just acting. Even at 83, she is still a true beauty. Here’s everything you need to know about Katharine Ross and what she looks like today.

Katharine Ross took part in her school’s production of *The King and I* and decided she wanted to pursue acting seriously. However, after just one year, she dropped out of school. Instead, she applied to The Actors Workshop in San Francisco and moved into a small apartment above a grocery store.

### Katharine Ross – Early Life & Career

For three years, Ross worked hard to improve her acting skills. She eventually landed some small roles in television shows. Not only was she talented, but she also knew how to audition well.

“I was queen of the screen tests,” Ross told *Life Magazine* in 1968. “I made daily trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back in time for the Workshop’s curtain call. I played many different types of hit-and-run drivers: an innocent driver, a tough driver, and a wealthy, snobby teenage driver. On *Gunsmoke*, I played a sympathetic character with a clubfoot.”

While in college, Ross met her first husband, Joel Fabiani, and they married in 1960. He was the first of her five husbands, but more on that later.

The years after her marriage to Fabiani were important for Ross. She became known for her many roles in television Westerns, which suited her beauty perfectly.

However, even though it might sound like a dream to be cast in many shows, it wasn’t always easy for Katharine Ross. Like many young stars in the business, she faced exploitation and challenges. Simply put, it wasn’t all fun and games for young TV actors in the 1960s.

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Katharine Ross shared a memory about auditioning for a film directed by Samuel Goldwyn Jr. called *The Young Lovers*. She was supposed to screen test with Peter Fonda, but he wasn’t available, so they brought in Chad Everett instead. He didn’t know the role was already filled, and he was giving it his all. Katharine didn’t have the heart to tell him. After several sessions with a hairdresser to get her look right, they ended up cutting all her hair off, and in the end, they cast someone else.

### Katharine Ross – Cast as Elaine in *The Graduate*

Ross reflected on the time, saying it was great because the old studio system was ending, and new styles of filmmaking were starting. Films with small budgets, like the one she auditioned for, were becoming popular. This shift eventually led to the indie film movement.

Katharine made her TV debut in an episode of *Sam Benedict* in 1962. Her first movie role was in *Shenandoah*, a Civil War film starring James Stewart, in 1965. The following year, she signed a deal with Universal Studios. While working on her first starring role in the film *Games*, director Mike Nichols noticed her talent.

He cast her in her most famous role: Elaine in *The Graduate*, alongside Dustin Hoffman.

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“Dustin Hoffman was a New York stage actor. He looked like he had just rolled out from under a rock; he was so pale. He just wanted to get back to his off-Broadway play. Even though we eventually became friends, my first thought was, ‘Oh my God — this guy is dressed in black and looks like a ghost,’” Ross remembered in an interview with the *Houston Chronicle*.

She also mentioned that Gene Hackman, who was Dustin’s roommate at the time, was supposed to play her father but dropped out for some reason.

*The Graduate* became a classic, and Katharine became a star overnight. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year.

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In 2017, Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott starred together in a movie called *The Hero*. In this film, Elliott played an aging Western film star, and Ross played his ex-wife. While the movie doesn’t reflect their real lives, it allows the couple to try new things together.

“I think we just like making movies, and having that creative experience together is the best,” Elliott told the *Los Angeles Times* in 2016.

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“It’s just fun. It’s a whole different kind of energy to go home with someone you’re working with rather than go home to someone who isn’t working. It’s a totally positive experience,” he added.

Ross and Elliott split their time between their homes in California and Oregon. Earlier this year, they attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards together. Katharine has not acted in any films or television shows for several years.

However, she has become a successful author and has published several children’s novels.

WIFE’S BOLD MOVE AFTER HUSBAND DEMANDS SIXTH CHILD MAKES HIM BEG FOR FORGIVENESS ON HIS KNEES!

When my husband gave me an ultimatum that scared me, he didn’t expect me to stand up for myself and our children. I taught him a big lesson about how unreasonable he was being, especially since we already had so much to be grateful for. In the end, he ended up begging me for mercy!

I never imagined I’d find myself in this situation, but here I am, at a turning point. I had to take strong action when my husband made a demand that pushed me to my limits. This demand was enough to make me take a stand.

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My husband, Danny, has always been a dedicated father and a successful businessman. He works hard and provides well for our family, allowing me to be a stay-at-home mom to our five wonderful daughters.

But recently, his desire for a son to “carry on the family name” has turned into demands and even threats!

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“Lisa, we NEED to have a sixth child,” he said one evening after dinner. His tone was serious and almost cold.

“Danny, we already have FIVE daughters. Are you saying you want me to keep having babies until we have a son?” I asked, feeling the tension build.

“But aren’t children a blessing? Is it really that hard?” His words stung. We’ve had this argument many times before, but this time felt different—it felt like an ultimatum. We kept going in circles, with neither of us willing to back down.

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Our argument heated up to the point where Danny hinted he might consider divorcing me if I didn’t agree to have a son. “Are you saying you’d leave me if I don’t give you a son?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“I didn’t say THAT,” he muttered, looking away. But the implication was clear: he was willing to consider divorce if I didn’t follow his wishes. That was the end of our argument as we went our separate ways to get ready for bed.

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That night, I lay awake, thinking about our conversation. How could he be so dismissive of the life we’d built together? Our daughters are amazing—each one unique and full of life. I couldn’t imagine our family any other way.

I needed him to understand what he was asking of me, and of us. So, before closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep, I decided on a plan to show him exactly what it would mean to raise five children alone.

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The very next day, I woke up extra early while everyone was still asleep. I packed a bag and drove to my late mother’s old country house. I turned off my phone’s ringer and ignored all his calls and texts.

After making myself breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, I settled in to watch my favorite show for the day: “The Drama That Unfolds When You Leave Your Husband Alone with Five Children.” I watched everything live through the surveillance cameras we had installed at home.

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Danny was in for a rude awakening! As soon as he woke up, he started getting ready for work but was quickly interrupted by the noise from the kids. “Where’s your mother? Why aren’t you all dressed and ready for breakfast?” he asked, clearly frustrated.

My kids made me proud by ignoring him and continuing to play and jump on the beds. Danny searched for me while calling my name, eventually realizing I wasn’t home. He then started calling me, and I watched the calls come through on my phone.

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“What the hell, Lisa?” Danny said in frustration after missing my sixth call. He realized he couldn’t leave for work because our young daughters were alone and chaotic. The first morning was hilarious and a complete disaster!

Danny tried to make breakfast but ended up burning the toast and spilling orange juice everywhere. The kids were running wild and refusing to get dressed. He was completely overwhelmed, and I was enjoying every moment from afar!

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I could hear him shouting, “Emma, stop running! Jessica, put your shoes on!” His voice was frazzled.

“Daddy, I don’t like this cereal!” Emily whined, pushing her bowl away.

“Then WHAT do you WANT?” he asked, exasperated.

“I want pancakes!” she demanded. Danny sighed and rubbed his temples.

“Fine, I’ll make pancakes.”

Little Jessica, feeling left out, added, “I want scrambled eggs and cake!”

Emma, not wanting to be left out, chimed in, “Waffles and fresh cream, please!”

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If his temples were aching before, I was sure they were now throbbing! The chaos only grew throughout the day. He struggled to help them with their online school, but the kids kept getting distracted and running off.

“Jessica, focus on your math homework,” he pleaded.

“But I don’t understand it, Daddy!” she cried. He sat beside her, staring at the screen.

“Okay, let’s figure it out together.” While he was trying to help the kids, a call from work came through.

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From the conversation and Danny’s profuse apologies, it was clear he’d forgotten to report himself as absent for the day! At lunchtime, he was clueless about what our kids liked to eat, so they ended up having a makeshift picnic of random snacks.

“Can we have peanut butter and jelly?” Emma asked.

“I’m not sure we have any,” he replied, searching the pantry.

“How about just jelly?” she suggested. I have to admit, while it was a bit sad seeing Danny struggle, it was absolutely hilarious and totally worth it!

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The house was a complete disaster, with toys scattered everywhere, and Danny looked like he was about to lose it. “Why is there Play-Doh on the carpet?” he groaned.

“I don’t know, ask Emily,” Jessica replied. When Emily heard her name, she started listing all the reasons why she wasn’t the culprit.

“I only play with purple and blue Play-Doh. I wasn’t sitting on the carpet, I only ran a bit on it in one spot. I…” Danny cut her off, looking exasperated. “Okay, Emily! Enough, I got it! Can you PLEASE just clean it up for Daddy?”

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In the evening, the girls decided to play dress-up, and Danny had no choice but to join in. They dressed him up in a tiara and feather boa, pretending he was a princess.

“Daddy, you look SO pretty!” Emily giggled.

“This is ridiculous,” Danny muttered, but he couldn’t help but smile at their happiness.

I decided it was time to head home. When I walked in, Danny rushed to me, looking more relieved than I had ever seen him!

“I am so sorry,” he said. “I won’t pressure you about having a son anymore.” He held me so tightly I almost couldn’t breathe!

“I realize now how much you do, and I promise to spend more time with the family,” he vowed. I was genuinely touched.

“If you truly promise to spend more time with us and help out more, we can discuss the POSSIBILITY of a sixth child,” I said.

“Daddy, will you come to my dance recital?” Emily asked one day.

“OF COURSE, sweetheart. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he promised. And he kept his promise! He attended every recital, every soccer game, and every school play. Our daughters thrived with his newfound attention and love.

One evening, as we watched our daughters play in the yard, Danny took my hand. “Thank you, Lisa,” he said softly. “For everything.” I squeezed his hand, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

“Thank you for understanding,” I replied.

Our journey wasn’t easy, but it brought us closer together. My husband learned to appreciate the family we have, and I found the strength to stand up for myself and our daughters. We were stronger than ever, ready to face whatever challenges life threw our way.

As we sat there, watching our daughters chase fireflies under the setting sun, I knew we had found our happily ever after.

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