If there is one name that commands immediate respect in Hollywood, especially within the Western genre, it’s Sam Elliott. With his iconic mustache, gravelly baritone voice, and a screen presence that feels carved out of granite, Elliott is nothing short of a living legend. But according to his latest co-star, Kayla Wallace, the man behind the legend is even more impressive when the cameras stop rolling.

Elliott has officially joined the cast of Taylor Sheridan’s intense oil drama Land Man for its second season, playing TL, the complicated father of Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris. This casting coup reunites Elliott with the Sheridan universe after his heart-wrenching role as Sha Brennan in 1883. Yet, what’s really getting people talking isn’t just his performance—it’s his behavior off set.

In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Kayla Wallace, who plays the sharp-witted attorney Rebecca Falcone, pulled back the curtain on what it’s actually like to work alongside Elliott. And frankly, it’s the kind of old-school class act story we don’t hear enough of these days.

Wallace revealed a surprising habit of Elliott’s: he simply never leaves the set. Most actors, especially those of Elliott’s stature, have a routine. They do their scene, the director yells “Cut,” and they retreat to their luxurious trailers to wait for the next setup. It’s standard practice—but not for Sam Elliott.

Wallace explained that even after he’s wrapped for the day or waiting between long setups, Elliott refuses to hide away. “He’ll find a place to sit—a bench, an apple box, whatever. He’s not fussy,” Wallace said. He just plants himself right in the middle of the action, happy to soak up the atmosphere and watch his younger co-stars perform.

For a rising star like Wallace, having a legend like Elliott sitting on an apple box watching you work could be terrifying. But she describes it as the exact opposite. She called his presence supportive and grounding, noting that he just genuinely loves being part of the filmmaking process. He isn’t there to critique or demand attention; he’s there because he loves the craft.

This level of humility stands in stark contrast to the ego-driven stories we often hear from major sets. It fits perfectly with how Elliott landed the role in the first place. He told Entertainment Tonight that he hadn’t been working much since 1883 because life took him in another direction. Then he got a call from Taylor Sheridan, who bluntly told him, “I’m about to put your ass back to work.” Elliott didn’t need a pitch or negotiation—he just said, “Okay, send me something.” And he was all in.

His character TL arrives at a pivotal moment in the show. Season 2 sees Tommy Norris dealing with the death of billionaire owner Monty Miller, played by John Hamm, and the passing of his own mother. TL enters as an arranged father figure with a fractured relationship to Tommy, bringing a darker, more complex dynamic to the family drama.

Billy Bob Thornton has admitted that his first scene with Elliott was deeply emotional, likely fueled by the raw history these two veteran actors bring to the table.

It’s also worth noting the physical toll of this production. Land Man films in and around Fort Worth, Texas, often in grueling outdoor conditions to capture authentic sun-scorched oil country grit. For an 81-year-old actor to choose to sit on a hard apple box in the Texas heat just to support his castmates speaks volumes about his character. He isn’t just a star—he’s a trooper.

Wallace’s anecdotes paint a picture of a set that, despite the high stakes and intense drama of the show, feels remarkably communal—largely thanks to leaders like Elliott. It’s a reminder that the best actors aren’t just great at delivering lines; they set the tone for the entire production.

As Land Man season 2 unfolds on Paramount Plus, watching Elliott’s performance will hit a little differently, knowing that the grumpy old cowboy he often plays is actually the most supportive guy on the lot.

We want to hear from you. Does hearing this about Sam Elliott change how you see him? And are you excited to see him go toe-to-toe with Billy Bob Thornton this season? Let us know in the comments below.

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