Sam Shepard, an Oscar-nominated actor and Pulitzer-winning playwright, has passed away at the age of 73.
Authorities say Sam died on July 27, 2017, in his private Kentucky residence. The cause of death has been reported as complications resulting from ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, according to The New York Times.
Sam was born in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, on November 5, 1943.
He nurtured his passion for storytelling through his writing, which eventually led to a career as a playwright. He was a big figure in the Off Broadway scene with a unique voice all his own. He often took bits and pieces from his own experiences and things he had seen, and then wrote them into his works, like Buried Child, which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1979. Some of his plays made their way to Broadway as well.
Although he did not originally direct his plays, he began doing so in the 1970s, taking on another significant role in the industry.
Eventually, his skills as a playwright led to new opportunities. In 1978, he landed the lead role in Days of Heaven, which kickstarted a 30-year career in acting.
Fans of Steel Magnolias will remember him as Spud Jones, husband to Dolly Parton’s character Truvy. He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as test pilot Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff, and most recently played Robert Rayburn in Netflix’s Bloodline.
Sam is survived by his three children and two sisters. May he rest in peace.
Please Liked Video this story to honor the memory of Sam Shepard, a beloved playwright, actor, and director!
