Elliott Gould (born Elliott Goldstein) is an American actor. He began acting in Hollywood films during the 1960s, and has remained prolific ever since. In addition to his performance in the classic comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Gould is perhaps best known for his significant roles in Robert Altman films, starring in M*A*S*H (1970), The Long Goodbye (1973), and California Split (1974). In recent years, he has starred in a recurring role as Jack Geller on Friends (1994–2003) and as Reuben Tishkoff in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007).
Gould received critical praise for his performances as an aging mobster in Warren Beatty‘s 1991 film Bugsy and as the boyfriend of the protagonist’s mother in American History X (1998). Other recent films roles include supporting turns in Contagion (2011) and Ruby Sparks (2012).
Gould became one of the many celebrity producers of The 1 Second Film collaboration in June 2009 and is known for his association to charitable causes such as Save Ellis Island.