Let me tell you about Sam Shepard—a man who truly left his mark on Hollywood, even though acting wasn’t his original plan. Tragically, Sam passed away on July 27, 2017, at the age of 73 after a battle with ALS. But here's the twist: this iconic actor never even wanted to act in the first place! In fact, his journey to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in show business is a story worth hearing.
From Playwright to Screen Legend: How It All Began
Back in the 1960s, when Sam arrived in New York City, he wasn’t dreaming of stardom. Nope, Sam was all about writing plays. He had no intention of stepping in front of the camera. That’s right—Sam Shepard, the guy who gave us unforgettable performances in Black Hawk Down, The Right Stuff, and Swordfish, didn’t start out wanting to be an actor. Instead, he was busy crafting powerful stories as a playwright.
In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, legendary actress Sally Kirkland shared her memories of meeting Sam for the first time. She recalled saying to him, "Sam, I know you're an incredible writer, but you should consider acting. You just have so much charisma." To which Sam replied, "No way, I don't want to be an actor." Sally wasn't convinced. She told him, "But Sam, I think you don't have a choice. Your talent shines through whether you like it or not." And boy, was she right.
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Despite his reluctance, Sam went on to become a household name with iconic roles in films like Black Hawk Down, Klondike, Bloodline, The Right Stuff, Swordfish, Mud, The Notebook, Safe House, and many more. His work didn’t just earn him critical acclaim—it earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Dash and Lilly and an Oscar nomination for The Right Stuff. But here’s the kicker: even with all those accolades, acting wasn’t where his heart truly lay.
Writing: The Passion That Defined Him
For Sam, writing was always the love of his life. Author John J. Winters, who penned Sam Shepard: A Life, explained to Closer, "Writing was his main love until the very end." Michael Townsend Smith, who directed one of Sam's early plays, added, "Writing just bubbled up naturally in him—it was something he couldn’t suppress." And suppress it he did not. In 1979, Sam won the Pulitzer Prize for his groundbreaking play Buried Child. That’s the kind of legacy we’re talking about here.
