Whatever Happened to Hollywood Charmer Elliott Gould?

Elliott Gould, 1968 custom graphic — Everett Collection

Elliott Gould turns 87 on August 29, 2025, and his life in Hollywood has been as fascinating as the roles he’s played. Born Elliott Goldstein in Brooklyn in 1938, he grew up the son of a flower seller and a garment buyer, and by the time he graduated from the Professional Children’s School, the stage was already calling. His Broadway debut came in the late ’50s, but it was his starring role in I Can Get It for You Wholesale in 1962 that not only made him a name in theater but also introduced him to his future wife, Barbra Streisand. Their marriage made headlines, and together they had one son, Jason, before divorcing in 1971.

By the late ’60s, Gould was being hailed as one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. His breakout role in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice earned him an Oscar nomination, and the following year, he was immortalized as “Trapper” John McIntyre in Robert Altman‘s M*A*S*H. Suddenly, Gould was everywhere, from the cover of Time magazine to cult classics like The Long Goodbye and California Split.

American actress and singer Barbra Streisand receives a kiss from her husband, actor Elliott Gould, on her opening night in 'Funny Girl' at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, 13th April 1966

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The ’70s were Gould’s golden era, but his career took a more uneven turn in the ’80s. While he worked steadily in both film and television, the big leading roles became less frequent. Still, he carved out memorable moments, whether on stage, in Disney movies like The Last Flight of Noah’s Ark, or through his frequent hosting of Saturday Night Live where he became part of the fabled Five-Timers Club. He married actress Jennifer Bogart twice, first from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1978 to 1989, and together they had two children, Molly and Samuel.

OCEAN'S ELEVEN, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Don Cheadle, 2001.

Everett Collection

By the ’90s, Gould was redefining himself for a new generation, popping up in everything from Warren Beatty‘s Bugsy to the sitcom Friends, where he became beloved as Monica and Ross’s father, Jack Geller. Then came another wave of fame in the 2000s, when he joined George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Steven Soderbergh‘s Ocean’s Eleven as casino owner Reuben Tishkoff. The franchise brought Gould back to blockbuster success, and he reprised the role across all of the films. He continued taking on a range of projects, from the gritty American History X to the pandemic thriller Contagion and even voice work in animated shows like Kim Possible.

Elliott Gould attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Only Murders In The Building" Season 2 at DGA Theater Complex on June 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

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More recently, Gould has remained a familiar face on television, appearing in Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer, Ray Donovan, Grace and Frankie, and even Friends: The Reunion. When not working in front of the camera, he has been an active supporter of SAG-AFTRA and causes like Save Ellis Island, reflecting his deep commitment to both his heritage and Hollywood.