Her breakout role as a young college graduate caught in one of the most iconic love triangles in cinematic history saw her catapulted to stardom in the late 60s – and even earned her an Oscar nomination. 

From there, the Hollywood star went on to gain further recognition for her part in a  critically acclaimed 1969 Western alongside Paul Newman and Robert Redford, followed by stellar performances in a string of thrillers and horror films.

It was on the set of one of those films – in 1978 – that the now retired actress met her famously deep-voiced and mustachioed future fifth husband, to whom she remains married to this day.

Though the silver-screen veteran is no longer acting, she is still turning heads, more recently, while stepping out in Malibu with her fellow actor hubby.

The silver-haired couple were spotted enjoying a meal together with an elderly friend in exclusive DailyMail.com photos.

Can you guess who it is?

This Hollywood legend rose to fame in the late 1960s for her role as a conflicted young graduate caught in one of the most iconic love triangles in film history

The retired actress gracefully left the limelight in 2019 but is still turning heads when she steps out in Malibu with her fellow actor hubby

It’s Katharine Ross!

Now 85, Ross was spotted with husband Sam Elliott, 80, grabbing lunch with a female pal during a rare public outing.

The three dined at Café Habana, a chic Malibu hotspot owned by Cindy Crawford‘s entrepreneur husband, Rande Gerber.

Despite her advanced years, Ross looked sprightly and effortlessly stylish in a sage-colored light jacket (which happened to match her husband’s sweater), blue jeans, sneakers, and a cream-colored scarf.

Elliott was a considerate gentleman and helped the elderly lady to and from the restaurant following the trio’s hour-long lunch.

He was also dressed casually in a green top, black jeans and sneakers.

Hollywood actress Katharine Ross and husband Sam Elliott were spotted grabbing lunch with a friend in Malibu on a recent afternoon

Despite her advanced years, Ross appeared sprightly – and still chic – wearing a sage-colored light jacket – which happened to match her husband’s sweater

Elliott was a considerate gentleman and helped the elderly lady to and from the restaurant following the trio’s hour-long lunch

Ross, a California native, made her TV debut in the early 60s before landing her career-defining role in 1967 film The Graduate, where she played Elaine Robinson, the conflicted daughter of the infamous Mrs. Robinson.

Two years later she cemented het status as a screen icon as schoolteacher Etta Place, the only significant female character in 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

It was in that movie – now regarded as one of the greatest American films – that she and co-star Paul Newman, who played Butch Cassidy, famously rode on a bicycle together in an iconic scene.

Just a few years later, Ross would land a role in supernatural horror film, The Legacy, where Elliott would play her on-screen boyfriend.

The two would tie the knot six years later in 1984, and marked their 40th anniversary in May 2024.

Prior to marrying Elliott, Ross had endured a series of short-lived marriages to four different men.

Elliott and Ross tied the knot in 1984 after falling in love on the set of the 1978 film The Legacy

Ross played Elaine Robinson, the conflicted daughter of the infamous Mrs. Robinson in 1967 romantic comedy-drama The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman

Ross was cast as the only significant female character in 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where she and co-star Paul Newman famously rode on a bicycle together in an iconic scene

But her marriage to her fifth husband remarkably has withstood the test of time – and Hollywood – and appears as strong as ever today.

The couple has been based in LA ever since and have one daughter, Cleo, now 40.

And while his wife gracefully left the limelight about six years ago, Elliott remains active in Hollywood, even earning an Oscar nomination in 2019 for his role in A Star Is Born.

Elliott gained recognition following his breakthrough role in 1976 drama Lifeguard and  then as a character actor, but saw a career resurgence back in 2015 after appearing as a regular in Netflix series The Ranch.

More recently he starred as grizzled cowboy Shea Brennan in 1883, the prequel to hit Paramount+ show Yellowstone.