Sam Shepard

Date of Birth: November 5, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 27, 2017

Biography

Sam Shepard, born Samuel Shepard Rogers III, was an influential American playwright, actor, author, screenwriter, and director. Shepard was born on November 5, 1943, in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and he grew up in Duarte, California. He began his career in the 1960s as part of the off-off-Broadway scene in New York City, quickly gaining recognition for his unique and innovative approach to drama. Over his career, he wrote 44 plays, earning him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979 for his play “Buried Child.” Shepard’s works often explore themes of family dysfunction, the myth of the American West, and the search for identity. In addition to his success as a playwright, Shepard was an accomplished actor, appearing in numerous films including “Days of Heaven,” “The Right Stuff,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination, and “Paris, Texas.” He also collaborated with musicians and filmmakers, contributing to the cultural landscape of his time. Shepard’s distinctive voice and contributions to American theater and film have left a lasting legacy. Shepard passed away on July 27, 2017, in Midway, Kentucky, due to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His work continues to be celebrated and studied for its profound impact on American culture.

5 Interesting Facts about Sam Shepard

1. Sam Shepard won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979 for his play “Buried Child.”

2. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Right Stuff” (1983).

3. Shepard was also a talented musician and played drums for the rock band The Holy Modal Rounders.

4. He collaborated with musician Patti Smith, and their relationship is documented in her memoir “Just Kids.”

5. Shepard was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1986.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sam Shepard

1. “The funny thing about having all this so-called success is that behind it is a certain horrible emptiness.”

2. “I hate endings. Just detest them.”

3. “Democracy’s a very fragile thing. You have to take care of democracy.”

4. “I feel like I’m working in a tradition that’s grounded in the 20th century.”

5. “I’m an optimist in the sense that I believe humans are noble and honorable, and some of them are really smart. I have a very optimistic view of individuals.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Sam Shepard’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Sam Shepard had three children: Jesse Mojo Shepard with actress O-Lan Jones, and Hannah Jane Shepard and Samuel Walker Shepard with actress Jessica Lange.