A Dream Come True: Meeting the King of Rock and Roll
In the enchanting 1970s, Elliott Gould, renowned for his role in “MAS*H,” had a surreal encounter with none other than the “King of Rock and Roll” himself, Elvis Presley. It was a magical moment that Gould had always yearned for, a meeting with music royalty that transcended time.
“I had always wanted to meet Elvis,” the 85-year-old star confessed. “I was deeply involved in musical comedy, a chorus boy on Broadway, raised and trained in that world. So, I asked if we could arrange for me to come and meet Elvis… and I got it.”
Conversations with Elvis: A Personal Connection
Elliott Gould will be gracing the TCM Classic Cruise, setting sail from November 6th to 11th, where he’ll introduce two of his iconic films: “The Long Goodbye” (1973) and “California Split” (1974). But it’s his unforgettable rendezvous with Elvis that still echoes with emotion.
In the presence of Elvis, a gold-gilded .45 pistol tucked into his belt, the air was electric. Vernon, his father, and Colonel Tom Parker, his manager, were watchful guardians. Yet, Presley’s curiosity transcended music. “Why did you and Barbra break up?” he asked, referring to Gould’s split with Barbra Streisand, their shared connection. Gould’s response was simple but filled with emotion: “Shut up, Elvis.”
Love, Loss, and Family: The Gould-Streisand Story
The ’60s recognized them as Hollywood’s “It” couple, Elliott Gould and Barbra Streisand. They met on Broadway, where Gould was leading a play and Streisand, a talented 19-year-old, was auditioning. Their union was sealed in 1963, welcoming son Jason in 1966, but eventually parting ways in 1971.
Gould reflects on their separation with a depth of feeling: “It’s all been written and everything has been said, but… fame and fortune are not the answer. If there wasn’t peace and harmony, I was going to have a lot of problems… But the real question is not why we grew apart, but how could we have grown apart?”
A Passion for Filmmaking: From “California Split” to Alfred Hitchcock
Gould’s passion for making films burns as brightly today as it did in his earlier years. “California Split” was a semi-autobiographical journey, a film that touched upon his own struggles with gambling. Born into a family with limited means, Gould’s life took him down a different path.
Reflecting on the making of “California Split,” Gould shared the serendipitous moment when he was offered the role initially intended for Steve McQueen. “The picture was hanging in the balance, so Altman called me,” he recounted. It was a unique opportunity to express a life he had been part of but wasn’t entirely him.
A Lifetime of Learning and Evolution
In a career that has spanned decades, Elliott Gould has encountered numerous captivating characters along the way. Among them, Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary “Master of Suspense,” who shared a moment of intimacy with Gould.
Gould’s love for film endures, and he reflects on the two things that saved his life: a movie camera and philosophy. He believes in taking chances, embracing the boundless opportunities to learn, as long as one’s mind is alive.
In his own words, “I’m still learning.” And that enduring thirst for knowledge and growth remains at the heart of Elliott Gould’s remarkable journey through life and film.