Sam Elliot Is a Smarm Meister

I don't agree, 'smarm' would imply that he's ingratiating to a fault so as to gain acceptance, which is a trait that shows weakness.
He comes off as more of a tough guy rogue with a good heart in many of his projects, the sort of cool guy you wouldn't want to pick a fight with but hardly gives you any reason to. Elliot has an acting style and attitude that's perfect for the sort of character that's smart enough to avoid trouble but plenty handy if the shit goes down.

He's been working since the late 60s, has over a hundred projects under his belt and that mustache rivals Magnum P.I. in the hall of mustache fame:)

He's great in my book.

1: revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness
2: of low sleazy taste or quality

Not that actor I am aware of. I know him best as a Civil War cavalry general in Gettysburg (1994) who was anything but smarmy.

I expect this is a minority opinion. But it is mine. Call it smugness, call it smarm, the man grates on me. But then, so did Jimmy Stewart. And John Wayne. But for some strange reason, Owen Wilson does not. We like what we like, don't like what we don't, for all kinds of odd personal reasons/responses.

You could definitely call Bill Pullman smarmy, or something akin, but I've always liked him. Its weird how various people bounce off us.