Academy Award-nominee Sam Shepard was an American actor, playwright, screenwriter, author, and director who made his breakthrough in the entertainment industry from The Right Stuff as Chuck Yeager.
Shepard began his acting career in the 1978 film Days of Heaven. Since his debut, he appeared in films like Renaldo and Clara, Fool for Love, Bandidas, Mud, Cold in July, Never Here, and many more.
Sadly the Never Here actor passed away on 27th July 2017 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Samuel Shepard Rogers III was born on 5th November 1943 in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, the United States of America. He held American nationality and came from a white ethnic descent.
He grew up alongside his sisters Roxanne Rogers and Sandy Rogers. He went and graduated from Duarte High School in 1961. He then studied animal husbandry at Mt. San Antonio College, however, he dropped out to join a touring repertory group, the Bishop’s Company.
The American actor was estimated at around $10 million at the time of his death in 2017. He amassed his million-dollar fortune from his successful career as an actor, writer, and film director.
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While he was still alive, Sam owned a 5,500 square feet house in 4th Street. N., Stillwater, MN. The house featured 5-bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms and was worth $1,950,000.
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At the initial stage of his career, Shepard worked as a busboy at the Village Gate nightclub. He then became involved in the off-Broadway theater scene through Ralph Cook in 1962.
In 1970, his play Shaves Splits was directed at La MaMa by Bill Hart. Similarly, his other play, The Unseen Hand, was directed by Tony Barsha at La MaMa.
Some of his early performances were Dog and The Rocking Chair, La Turista, and Red Cross during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. He won six Obie Awards for his work from 1966 - 1968.
In the early-70s, Sam emerged as a screenwriter with Me and My Brother in 1968 and Zabriskie Point in 1970. His play entitled Buried Child won the Pulitzer Prize and was also nominated for five Tony Awards.
Some of his best-known works are True West, Fool for Love, and A Lie of the Mind. In 2010, his play A Lie of the Mind was revived in New York at the same time as his new play Ages of the Moon.
Shepard made his film debut with a major role as The Farmer in an American romantic period drama Days of Heaven opposite Brooke Adams and Richard Gere.
He then appeared in films like Resurrection, Fool for Love, Baby Boom, Bright Angel, Voyager, Hamlet, The Notebook, and many more.
Sam made his breakthrough as Chuck Yeager in the 1983 American epic historical drama film The Right Stuff alongside Charles Frank, Ed Harris, and Scott Glenn. He also won an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film.
His later film work credits were August: Osage County, Cold in July, Midnight Special, Ithaca, In Dubious Battle, and few more. His last movie was the 2017 film Never Here, where he played Paul Stark alongside Mireille Enos, Vincent Piazza, and Nina Arianda.
The late writer cum actor was married to actress O-Lan Jones since 9th November 1969. The couple shared a son named Jesse Mojo Shepard, born in 1970.
Unfortunately, the couple separated due to irreconcilable differences and got divorced on 9th November 1984.
Shepard also dated Academy Award-winning actress Jessica Lange whom he met during the set of Frances. The couple began dated shortly and moved in together in 1983.
They shared two children named: Hannah Jane Shepard and Samuel Walker Shepard. According to People, Sam also proposed to Lange, however, never married. The duo was together for about 26 years before separating in 2009.
Sam also dated actress Joyce Aaron and musician Patti Smith.
The Right Stuff actor passed away on 27th July 2017 at the age of 73 at his home in Kentucky. He died due to complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.