Lang Elliott, an American film and television producer, financier, director, screenwriter, author, speaker, and former professional baseball player, was born on October 18, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. Elliott's career spans five decades and has had a lasting impact on a variety of disciplines, including professional athletics, the entertainment industry, and literary communities. His diversified trajectory demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and innovative vision.
Elliott's first interest was professional baseball, where he played catcher and third base in the lower leagues. With a .375 batting average, his career appeared to be on track until he was drafted during the Vietnam War. Following his father's recommendation, he joined the United States Air Force, initially trained as a pilot before being reassigned as a door gunner due to a scarcity of helicopter crew members in the United States Army. His service was cut short due to injuries, resulting in a 14-week hospital stay and honorable medical release in the early 1970's.
Years later, Elliott returned to baseball, joining The Hollywood Legends, a barnstorming group of retired professional players that included Jim Bouton, Bill “The Spaceman” Lee, and Darrell Evans. He competed internationally for 18 years and reached notable achievements, including being named runner-up MVP in a European tournament where he batted .760 and had the most RBIs.
After leaving the service, Elliott moved to Las Vegas and was introduced to the film industry by his cousin, Denyse “DeeDee” Turner, Miss Nevada 1965. His first film appearance was as an extra in a Universal Studios movie starring Sammy Davis Jr., Ike & Tina Turner, Redd Foxx, and Dionne Warwick. This event piqued his interest in movies, resulting in a co-starring role in Ride the Hot Wind (1971). He was then considered for an Audie Murphy Western, but the production was abandoned following Murphy's sad death.
After a successful run in front of the camera, Elliott moved into the background and helped establish TIPS in Atlanta, Georgia. His producing and funding efforts helped produce films, including The Magic of Lassie (1978), which received an Academy Award nomination, and Soldier of Orange (1977). He later established TriStar Pictures, which produced The Prize Fighter (1979) and The Private Eyes (1980), both starring Tim Conway and Don Knotts.
His portfolio grew with films like Cage (1989) and Cage II (1994), starring Lou Ferrigno, which popularized cage fighting around the world. The Gracie Martial Arts family prepared warriors for these initiatives, and Dana White expanded on this foundation to create the global phenomenon of mixed martial arts. Elliott also produced the Dorf on Golf video series with Tim Conway and worked as a producer and writer for the Fox sitcom Boys Will Be Boys (1987-1988), starring Matthew Perry. He worked with The Veterans Foundation, Inc. to organize the annual televised American Veterans Awards Show (AVA), which recognizes service personnel.
In addition to his work in film, Elliott is a prolific author, with notable works such as CUJO, Pinocchio in the Hood, and Grizzly Adams: The New Adventure Begins. His works reflect his broad experiences, ranging from Hollywood to professional baseball, and provide historical insights and entertainment industry knowledge.
Through his firms, Elliott financed, produced, and distributed an additional 175 films and television series. Elliott's real-life experiences are equally captivating as his films. In 1972, while running Saturn III, a motion picture business in Los Angeles, the FBI utilized his offices as a cover for an undercover investigation into those plotting to assassinate President Richard Nixon. Elliott's cooperation helped to stop the plot, resulting in several arrests.
In 1980, while filming The Private Eyes at the Biltmore House, he assisted in the discovery of a multimillion-dollar international theft ring involving stolen collectibles and artwork. The matter was concluded by the FBI and undercover operatives, with Elliott's involvement acknowledged in a formal letter of gratitude.
Elliott plans to continue financing Sunn's films through Limited Partnerships, with the plan to possibly become a public company in the future in order to finance groups of films at one time. Please be advised that this is not a solicitation for financing in Sunn Classic Pictures, Inc. and there are not any plans to do this at this time
Lang Elliott's career is a unique combination of sports, military duty, entertainment, and literature. His legacy includes contributions to Hollywood, professional baseball, and even crime investigations. Elliott remains a dynamic character whose effect spans numerous industries, thanks to Academy Award-nominated films, a successful book career, and involvement in groundbreaking film endeavors.
