Elvis Co-Star And TV Western Actor Passed Away

CBS TV, Wikipedia

Jan Shepard, known for her roles on classic TV Westerns as well as for starring alongside Elvis Presley in films,has passed away at the age of 96. Shepard died on January 17 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank due to pneumonia caused by respiratory failure, her son, Hollywood prop master Brandon Boyle, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

She was born on March 19, 1928, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Shepard built a career spanning more than three decades, making her mark in both television and film. During her time at Quakertown High School, Shepard was actively involved in theater, performing in school plays while also serving as a cheerleader and drum majorette. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.

In 1949, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, joining the Ben Bard Players theater group and honing her craft at the renowned Pasadena Playhouse.

 

Shepard became a familiar face on the small screen during the 1950s and ‘60s, appearing in popular Western series such as Rawhide, The Virginian, Gunsmoke, Laramie, and Bonanza. Her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her roles made her a sought-after guest star in the genre. Beyond Westerns, she appeared in a wide range of TV shows, including The Twilight Zone, Dr. Kildare, and Perry Mason.

 

On the big screen, Shepard is perhaps best remembered for her roles opposite Elvis Presley. She played his sister-in-law in King Creole (1958), one of his most critically acclaimed films, and later appeared in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966). Her film career also included roles in The Monolith Monsters (1957) and Sabre Jet (1953).

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shepard was married to actor Dirk London (born Ray Boyle), best known for portraying Wyatt Earp. The couple first met in 1951 while studying at Ben Bard’s acting school and tied the knot in 1954. That same year, they collaborated on an episode of Death Valley Days. Their marriage lasted nearly seven decades until London’s passing at the age of 98 in January 2022.

Rest In Peace.