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Entertainment • Actor

Elliott Gould

Elliott Gould is an American actor and producer known for his work in film and television since the 1960s.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Elliott Gould is an American actor and producer known for his work in film and television since the 1960s. He received an Academy Award nomination for *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice* and later became widely known for roles in *M*A*S*H*, *The Long Goodbye*, *Friends*, and the *Ocean's* films.

Early life

Elliott Gould was born Elliott Goldstein in Brooklyn, New York City, and studied at the Professional Children's School. Sources describe his upbringing as Jewish and note early training in performance.

Film career

Gould became prominent in the early 1970s with acclaimed performances in films directed by Robert Altman and others, especially *M*A*S*H* and *The Long Goodbye*. His career also includes later work in films such as *Ocean's Eleven* and *Contagion*.

Television work

He has had recurring television roles, including Jack Geller on *Friends* and later appearances in series such as *Ray Donovan*, *Grace and Frankie*, and *The Kominsky Method*.

Personal life

Gould was married to Barbra Streisand from 1963 to 1971, and they have a son, actor Jason Gould. Biographical sources also note his long association with entertainment industry organizations such as the Screen Actors Guild.

Key facts

  • Born Elliott Goldstein in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1938.
  • Broke through with *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice* (1969), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
  • Gained wider prominence in New Hollywood films including *M*A*S*H*, *The Long Goodbye*, and *California Split*.
  • Played Jack Geller, Monica and Ross's father, on the television sitcom *Friends*.
  • Appeared as Reuben Tishkoff in the *Ocean's* franchise.
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Canadian context

Elliott Gould is familiar to Canadian audiences through widely distributed films and television series, especially *Friends* and the *Ocean's* films, which have long been broadcast and streamed in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Elliott Gould?
Elliott Gould is an American actor and producer known for films such as *M*A*S*H* and *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice*, and for television roles including Jack Geller on *Friends*.
What is Elliott Gould's birth name?
His birth name is Elliott Goldstein.
What is Elliott Gould best known for?
He is best known for *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice*, *M*A*S*H*, *The Long Goodbye*, *Friends*, and the *Ocean's* film series.
Did Elliott Gould win an Oscar?
No verified source in the provided results says he won an Oscar; they state that he received an Academy Award nomination for *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice*.
Was Elliott Gould married to Barbra Streisand?
Yes. He married Barbra Streisand in 1963 and the marriage ended in 1971.
Does Elliott Gould have children?
Yes. The provided sources identify his son as actor Jason Gould.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_Gould
    Supports: Breakthrough role, Oscar nomination, broad career overview.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/de/name/nm0001285/bio/
    Supports: Birth date and place, occupation, marriage information, notable works.
  3. TV Guidehttps://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/elliott-gould/bio/3000200716/
    Supports: Birth name, marriage to Barbra Streisand, career highlights, board service.
  4. The Movie Databasehttps://www.themoviedb.org/person/827-elliott-gould?language=en-US
    Supports: Birthplace, acting career, notable film roles including the Ocean's series.
  5. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_Gould_filmography
    Supports: Selected filmography and television roles.
  6. Wikipedia (Spanish)https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_Gould
    Supports: Birth details, New Hollywood prominence, Friends role.