Few actors can claim a career trajectory that includes a Best Supporting Actor nomination, a beloved sitcom dad, and a casino mogul in a major film franchise. Elliott Gould has done all that and more, with a career spanning over six decades and a high-profile marriage to Barbra Streisand. This guide covers his net worth, his most famous roles, and the story behind his departure from Lincoln Lawyer.
Age: 86 (as of 2024) ·
Net worth: Estimated $10 million ·
Academy Award nominations: 1 (Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice) ·
Years active: 1960s–present ·
Known for: M*A*S*H, Ocean’s trilogy, Friends
Quick snapshot
- Exact reason for leaving Lincoln Lawyer after season 1
- Current relationship details (private)
- 1969: Oscar nomination and divorce from Streisand
- 1970: Stars in M*A*S*H
- 2001: Joins Ocean’s Eleven franchise
- Continues to act in his 80s
- No announced projects as of late 2024
Seven key facts about Elliott Gould, one pattern: a career that has moved from leading man to beloved character actor without losing cultural relevance.
The pattern: Gould’s career is defined not by a single iconic role but by his ability to reappear in different eras with fresh relevance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Elliott Gould (born Elliott Goldstein) |
| Date of birth | August 29, 1938 |
| Place of birth | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Spouse(s) | Barbra Streisand (1963–1969), Jennifer Bogart (1973–1975, 1977–1978) |
| Children | 1 son (Jason Gould) |
Why Did Barbra Streisand Leave Elliott Gould?
Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould married in 1963, when both were rising stars. By 1969, the marriage had ended in divorce. Streisand later reflected that they “grew apart” as their careers pulled them in different directions, according to a 2011 interview with The Guardian (UK newspaper).
Multiple factors contributed to the split. Both were under immense career pressure — Streisand was becoming a global superstar, while Gould was breaking out with Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice and M*A*S*H. The couple had one son, Jason Gould, born in 1966.
Are Elliott Gould and Barbra Streisand still friends?
Yes. Despite the divorce, the two have maintained a cordial relationship. Gould told The Guardian (UK newspaper) in 2020 that he and Streisand remain friends and that he has “nothing but respect” for her. They share a son, Jason Gould, who is a singer and actor.
The Gould-Streisand divorce is often framed as a Hollywood casualty, but the lasting friendship suggests something rarer: two people who recognized that their marriage had run its course without letting it destroy their mutual respect.
The implication: The Gould-Streisand split is less a story of acrimony and more one of two ambitious people who chose their careers without sacrificing their bond.
What Ethnicity Is Elliott Gould?
Elliott Gould was born Elliott Goldstein on August 29, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, to Lucille Raver and Bernard Goldstein, according to IMDb (film database). He is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
How old is Elliott Gould?
He is 86 as of 2024, having been born on August 29, 1938.
What is Elliott Gould’s birth name?
His birth name is Elliott Goldstein. He adopted the stage name “Elliott Gould” early in his career.
The pattern: Gould’s Jewish heritage and Brooklyn upbringing are consistent touchpoints in interviews, but he has never made ethnicity a central part of his public identity — his work has always spoken louder.
What Are Elliott Gould’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
Gould’s filmography spans more than 100 credits. His most culturally significant roles cluster around three distinct eras.
What was Elliott Gould’s role on Friends?
He played Jack Geller, the father of Ross and Monica Geller, appearing in multiple episodes across the series’ run, as documented by JewAge (biographical database).
What was Elliott Gould’s role in the Ocean’s franchise?
He played Reuben Tishkoff, a retired casino mogul and one of Danny Ocean’s financiers, in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007), per IMDb (film database). He also made a cameo in Ocean’s 8 (2018).
What was Elliott Gould’s Academy Award nomination for?
He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), according to JewAge (biographical database).
Gould’s 1970s output — including The Long Goodbye (1973), California Split (1974), and Capricorn One (1978) — cemented his reputation as a versatile leading man, as noted by Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator). The pattern: Gould’s career is defined not by a single iconic role but by his ability to reappear in different eras with fresh relevance.
Why Was Elliott Gould Dropped from Lincoln Lawyer?
Gould played Legal Siegal, a seasoned defense attorney, in the first season of Netflix’s Lincoln Lawyer in 2022. When the series returned for a second season, his character was absent. Netflix and the show’s producers have not issued an official explanation for the departure.
Speculation among fans and entertainment outlets has centered on creative direction changes, but no confirmed reason exists. Gould himself has not publicly addressed the exit.
The lack of an official statement means the Lincoln Lawyer departure remains an open question — one that may never get a public answer, given how quietly recastings often happen in streaming series.
The catch: Without confirmation from Netflix or Gould, any explanation is speculation. This is a rare gap in an otherwise well-documented career.
What Is Elliott Gould’s Net Worth?
Elliott Gould’s net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million, according to a social-media summary from Facebook (user-generated content). A higher estimate of $20 million was reported by Nicki Swift (entertainment news site).
His wealth comes from decades of steady work in film, television, and stage. Unlike many peers who peaked in the 1970s, Gould maintained visibility through recurring roles in major franchises (Ocean’s, Friends) and streaming series (Lincoln Lawyer).
The trade-off: Net worth estimates for actors of Gould’s generation are inherently imprecise. The $10 million to $20 million range reflects the gap between conservative estimates and more optimistic celebrity-wealth trackers.
Related reading: **James Cromwell** · **Kurt Russell & Goldie Hawn**
en.wikipedia.org, filmibeat.com, facebook.com, aish.com, remindmagazine.com, linkedin.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Elliott Gould still acting?
Yes. He continues to take roles, most recently appearing in the first season of Lincoln Lawyer (2022).
How many times has Elliott Gould been married?
He has been married three times: to Barbra Streisand (1963–1969) and twice to Jennifer Bogart (1973–1975, 1977–1978), according to IMDb (film database).
Does Elliott Gould have any children?
Yes, he has one son, Jason Gould, with Barbra Streisand.
What is Elliott Gould’s height?
He is approximately 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall.
What is Elliott Gould’s religion?
He was born into a Jewish family and has spoken about his Jewish heritage in interviews.
Did Elliott Gould win an Oscar?
No. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) but did not win.
For fans of classic Hollywood and streaming-era revivals alike, the takeaway is clear: Elliott Gould’s career is a masterclass in longevity. He never needed a single defining role — he built a body of work that keeps pulling new audiences in.
Gould chose reinvention — and it paid off.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.