From 1963 to 1964 Elam starred as George Taggart in the TV series Temple Houston. From 1959 to 1972 he had a recurring role in the series Gunsmoke. Elam starred as Uncle Alvin “Bully” Stevenson on the television series East Street from 1986 to 1987. He starred in several films including Bird of Paradise, Rawhide, High Noon, Princess of the Nile, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, The Rare breed, The Over-the-Hill Gang, The Apple Dumping Gang Rides Again, The Cannonball Run, Suburban Commando, and more. Jack Elam passed away on October 20, 2003 at 82 years old from congestive heart failure.