The Military Guy
Sam was somewhat typecast from the beginning. He was mostly cast as tough, strong, and almost always outdoors. Throughout his career, Sam had some roles where he played the military man, partly due to his tall frame and commanding presence. He seemed like the natural choice for a soldier role in his younger years and then as an army officer in his later years.
Photo by Peter Sorel / Universal / Marvel / Kobal / Shutterstock.com
It looks as though there was more than just a bit of reality in Sam’s acting. He spent some time with the California Air National Guard around the time he was in college, working construction jobs, and going on auditions. Sam considers his short time in the military as a major factor in developing his skills and discipline in his acting career.