Andy Garcia recalls his ‘beautiful’ first meeting with Sam Elliott before ‘Landman’
The ‘Landman’ star remembers finding Sam Elliott alone at a hotel restaurant before they became co-stars
Andy Garcia is sharing the memorable first impression Sam Elliott made on him before the two actors became costars on Landman.
During a cast panel at the Newport Beach TV Festival in California on June 6, Garcia, 70, recalled the first time he met Elliott, 81, describing the moment as something he would never forget.
“The first time I saw Sam at the hotel, he was sitting alone in the restaurant nursing a martini,” Garcia said.
“Totally at peace,” he added. “I walked over, introduced myself, and invited him to join us for dinner. That was my introduction to Sam. It was a beautiful sight.”
The Ocean’s Eleven actor shared the story while discussing the Landman cast’s dynamic and who tends to break character the most during filming.
Billy Bob Thornton, who stars as oil industry fixer Tommy Norris in the Taylor Sheridan-created drama, praised Elliott for keeping his composure on set.
“Sam doesn’t get the giggles,” Thornton said, explaining that Elliott instead makes him laugh by quietly muttering unexpected comments under his breath.
Michelle Randolph, however, admitted that she and Thornton are often the ones struggling to stay serious during scenes.
“Definitely us,” she said. “There are so many dinner scenes where we all break at the exact same time.”
Thornton added that some of the show’s unusual moments make it difficult for the cast to stay focused, joking about scenes involving chaotic situations and absurd scenarios.
Garcia joined Landman during the season 1 finale, playing Gallino, a powerful cartel boss who spares Tommy’s life.
The actor previously revealed that Sheridan created the role with him in mind, saying the filmmaker approached him about developing the character after being familiar with his earlier work.
“He was a fan of a movie I did many years ago called Eight Million Ways to Die,” Garcia shared, explaining that Sheridan understood his acting style and screen presence.
Garcia also praised the series’ creative team and cast, calling the experience of working on the Paramount+ drama a privilege.
“It was a sublime group of people,” he said. “We're really privileged to be a part of it.”
Landman seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Paramount+, with season 3 set to arrive in November.