Oscar-nominated actor and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard passed away on July 27 after complications of ALS, public relations firm Boneau/Bryan-Brown confirmed today. He was 73.
The multi-talented actor/writer/director/playwright won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama back in 1979 for the play “Buried Child”, and would get nominated for two more Pulitzer’s for “True West” and “Fool for Love.” Some his other acclaimed plays include “Cowboys,” “Operation Sidewinder,” “Made Dog Blues,” “Suicide in B Flat,” “The Rock Garden,” “Curse of the Starving Class,” and “Baby Boom.”
As for movies the actor had a notable screen presence, starring in movies like THE RIGHT STUFF (for which he earned an Oscar nomination), STEEL MAGNOLIAS, THE PELICAN BRIEF, ALL THE PRETTY HORSES, BLACK HAWK DOWN, THE NOTEBOOK, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and, most recently, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. The actor was also nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe for DASH AND LILLY, and was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay for PARIS, TEXAS starring Harry Dean Stanton.
Most of us know Shepard for his movie work, and though most of his roles were in the supporting category, he was a fierce presence on-screen. I just watched BLACK HAWK DOWN recently, and though he’s part of a huge ensemble he stands out with a commanding and subtle performance. He was truly a man of great talent, with a versatile skill set and fantastic body of lauded work to lace his legacy.