5 Years Later, Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone Line About Sam Elliott Has A Whole New Meaning

MovieStillsDB Published Aug 7, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT Liz Hersey is an Editor and Critic for ScreenRant's TV team, editing, reviewing, writing, and creating content about the iconic shows you love to watch. She began her editing career at ScreenRant in 2019, shortly after joining the site as a Writer that same year. With a passion for all things books, Liz frequently attends Toronto literary events and conferences, and loves interacting with her book lover community. In addition to being an avid reader of the romance and thriller genres, Liz is a writer of several short stories, and is currently at work on a young adult witch novel. When she's not working, reading, or writing, Liz can be found seeing movies at her local cinema, attending live jazz events, or curling up on the couch to binge her favorite TV shows. You can reach her at liz.h@screenrant.com. Sign in to your ScreenRant account With hits like Yellowstone and its many spinoffs, Taylor Sheridan has made himself into an icon of Western television, but he still has great respect for the genre's veterans, especially Sam Elliott. In fact, Sheridan holds the legendary actor in such esteem that he gave him a special shoutout in Yellowstone via his character, horse trader Travis Wheatley. In season 4, episode 4, "Winning or Learning," Travis is transporting not only Jimmy but $1 million worth of horses from Montana to the 6666 ranch in Texas. Late at night, Jimmy offers to take over driving duties for Travis, who hasn't gotten any sleep on their journey. Travis replies by quoting Road House, saying, "Buddy, I'll get all the sleep I need when I'm dead." Travis then asserts that the 1989 classic action film is the "best movie ever made," and references two of its stars, telling Jimmy, "When I grow up, I wanna be Sam Elliott. With Patrick Swayze's hair." The fact that the supremely arrogant Travis Wheatley would show anybody that level of admiration speaks volumes. The Yellowstone quote is also a fun meta reference to the fact that Elliott would be starring in the cast of 1883, the first Yellowstone prequel that premiered about a month after this season 4 episode. However, in the years since, Travis's statement about Elliott has taken on an even deeper meaning. Taylor Sheridan's Quote About Sam Elliott In Yellowstone Season 4 Is Even Better Today "When I grow up, I wanna be Sam Elliott" became quite an ironic quote in 2022 when, the day after the 1883 finale, Elliott had some harsh words for Yellowstone when he appeared on Marc Maron's WTF podcast. Despite having starred in the first Yellowstone prequel, the Western actor dismissed Sheridan's flagship series, comparing it to the famous 1980s nighttime soap opera, Dallas: I’m not a Yellowstone fan. I don’t watch Yellowstone. I love Costner. There’s a lot of good people on the cast, a few of them I’ve worked with before — nothing against any of them — but it’s just too much like f---ing Dallas or something for me. Given that Sheridan is such an Elliott fan, this could have been hard to hear, but the Yellowstone creator wasn't fazed. In fact, he wanted to work with Elliott again and wrote him into the cast of Landman season 2 as T.L. Norris, the father of Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy. Appearing on The Howard Stern Show, Sheridan revealed that he won Elliott over by agreeing with him about Yellowstone (via Collider). Sheridan said, "Sam, which I used him in 1883, it’s funny ’cause I called him, and we talked, and he’s like, ‘I don’t like that Yellowstone. That’s a cowboy soap opera.' I said, ‘You’re right. I’m not asking you to be on that. That’s the punk rock me throwing middle fingers at the industry and a lot of other sh*t. [Landman] is going to be the grown-up me. I have a story I want to tell. Here’s the story, and here’s the arc of your character.’ And I pitched it to him, and he said, ‘That’s beautiful. I’d love to do that.’ I said, ‘Great. I’m going to write it for you." It's a full-circle moment for Sheridan, going from expressing his love for Elliott through his Yellowstone character to bringing the star himself into his actors' repertory. Sam Elliott Is Underrated As A Western Icon (But There's A Catch) Any Western fan worth their salt is not only aware of Elliott, but likely holds him in as high regard as Sheridan. However, despite starring in Western classics, from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to Tombstone, for over 50 years, Elliott is still underrated compared to Western icons like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or even the former Yellowstone lead actor himself, Kevin Costner. With his gravelly voice and signature mustache, Elliott is a definitive representation of the genre. Interestingly, Sheridan's Yellowstone quote about him isn't regarding Elliott's Western filmography, as Road House is a pure action film. The Sheridan-verse · Ranch Assessment Taylor Sheridan Trivia Challenge 🏠 Yellowstone Protect the ranch 🐴 1883 The Oregon Trail 🌾 1923 Drought & dust 🔒 Kingstown Prison politics 🎼 Tulsa King Made man, new town SADDLE UP → 01 The Dutton family has controlled the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States for over a century. In which state is the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch located? A Wyoming B Montana C Idaho D Colorado ✓ Correct! The Yellowstone Dutton Ranch sits near the border of Yellowstone National Park in Montana. The show is filmed primarily in Montana, with the real-life Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby serving as the Dutton homestead. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Montana. The Dutton Ranch borders Yellowstone National Park in Big Sky Country. While the rugged landscape could pass for Wyoming or Idaho, the show is set — and largely filmed — in Montana. NEXT → 02 John Dutton is the iron-willed patriarch who will stop at nothing to protect his family’s land. Which Oscar-winning actor portrayed him for the first four seasons of Yellowstone? A Sam Elliott B Josh Brolin C Kevin Costner D Kurt Russell ✓ Correct! Kevin Costner brought gravitas and quiet intensity to John Dutton, anchoring Yellowstone as one of the most-watched shows on cable television. His departure ahead of Season 5B became one of the biggest stories in TV. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Kevin Costner. While Sam Elliott did appear in 1883, Josh Brolin has his own Sheridan series (Outer Range isn’t Sheridan’s), and Kurt Russell hasn’t joined the Sheridan-verse. Costner defined John Dutton. NEXT → 03 In the prequel series 1883, a Civil War veteran leads his family on a brutal wagon-train journey from Texas to Montana to find a new home. What is the name of this original Dutton patriarch? A James Dutton B Jacob Dutton C John Dutton Sr. D Emmett Dutton ✓ Correct! James Dutton, played by Tim McGraw, is the Civil War veteran who leads his wife Margaret and their children on the perilous journey west. His daughter Elsa narrates the series, and the family’s arrival in Montana establishes the Yellowstone Ranch. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is James Dutton. Jacob Dutton is the character Harrison Ford plays in 1923 — James’s brother. John Dutton Sr. doesn’t appear until later generations, and Emmett Dutton doesn’t exist in the Sheridan-verse. NEXT → 04 On the Dutton Ranch, certain cowboys receive a permanent mark of loyalty — a hot-iron brand seared into their skin that signifies a blood oath to the ranch. What symbol is this feared brand? A A “D” inside a circle B A horseshoe C A skull and crossbones D The letter “Y” ✓ Correct! The branded “Y” is the Yellowstone Ranch’s livestock mark, but for ranch hands, wearing it on their chest means a lifelong oath of silence and loyalty. “Taking someone to the train station” is what happens to those who betray it. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is the letter “Y” — for Yellowstone. The brand is both a ranch identifier and a mark of absolute loyalty. Characters like Rip, Kayce, and Jimmy all bear the “Y” brand, signifying they’ve sworn their lives to the ranch. NEXT → 05 In 1923, the Dutton family battles drought, Prohibition, and encroaching modernity during the Great Depression era. Which legendary Hollywood actor plays patriarch Jacob Dutton? A Robert Redford B Harrison Ford C Clint Eastwood D Tommy Lee Jones ✓ Correct! Harrison Ford stars as Jacob Dutton alongside Helen Mirren as his wife Cara. Ford’s casting marked his first major television role and brought massive star power to the expanding Sheridan-verse. The series is set during Prohibition and the early Depression. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Harrison Ford. In his first major TV role, Ford plays Jacob Dutton, brother of James Dutton from 1883. Helen Mirren stars opposite him as Cara Dutton. Their star power helped make 1923 Paramount+’s biggest premiere. NEXT → 06 Beth Dutton’s volatile love story with a tough ranch foreman is one of Yellowstone’s most beloved storylines. The two eventually marry in a surprise ceremony. Who is Beth’s husband? A Lloyd Pierce B Walker C Rip Wheeler D Jimmy Hurdstrom ✓ Correct! Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, is John Dutton’s most loyal enforcer and Beth’s husband. Taken in by John as a teenager after a traumatic past, Rip would do anything for the Dutton family — and his fierce devotion to Beth became a fan-favorite romance. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Rip Wheeler. Lloyd Pierce is the bunkhouse elder, Walker is a ranch hand and musician, and Jimmy Hurdstrom is the hapless cowboy who eventually gets sent to the 6666 Ranch in Texas. Only Rip won Beth’s wild heart. NEXT → 07 In Mayor of Kingstown, a family serves as power brokers in a Michigan town where the prison industry is the only business. Which family navigates this dark world of incarceration and corruption? A The McLusky family B The Reilly family C The Kingsley family D The Dutton family ✓ Correct! The McLusky family, led by Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner), acts as unofficial mediators between prisoners, gangs, police, and politicians in Kingstown, Michigan. The show is one of Sheridan’s grittiest explorations of the American justice system. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is the McLusky family. Jeremy Renner stars as Mike McLusky, who inherits the role of “mayor” — an unofficial power broker between inmates, gangs, and law enforcement. The Duttons are Yellowstone’s dynasty, not Kingstown’s. NEXT → 08 One Dutton sibling is an adopted son and ambitious lawyer who frequently clashes with his family — sometimes even conspiring against them. His complex loyalty drives much of the show’s drama. Who is he? A Kayce Dutton B Lee Dutton C Tate Dutton D Jamie Dutton ✓ Correct! Jamie Dutton, played by Wes Bentley, is the adopted son and Harvard-educated lawyer whose desperate need for his father’s approval and political ambition create some of Yellowstone’s most dramatic betrayals. His rivalry with Beth is legendary. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Jamie Dutton. Kayce is John’s biological youngest son (a former Navy SEAL), Lee is the eldest son who dies in Season 1, and Tate is Kayce’s young son. Only Jamie is the adopted lawyer who conspires against the family. REVEAL MY SCORE → Round-Up Complete Your Ranch Record / 8 Are you a ranch foreman — or headed straight to the train station? ↻ RIDE AGAIN However, with its drifter protagonist, lawless town, and yes, the presence of Sam Elliott, Road House is widely considered to be somewhat of a sneaky Western — and it makes total sense why Yellowstone's Travis Wheatley would pick such a hypermasculine film as his favorite movie of all time. Meanwhile, with Elliott set to star in Landman season 3, there's still time for him to earn the Western icon status he deserves. Release Date 2018 - 2024-00-00 Network Paramount Network Showrunner Taylor Sheridan Directors Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan, Christina Alexandra Voros, Guy Ferland, John Dahl Writers John Coveny, Ian McCulloch Franchise(s) Yellowstone Creator(s) Taylor Sheridan, John Linson