Jan Shepard, an actress who graced TV screens in classic Westerns and worked alongside Elvis Presley in two of his films, has died on January 17th, 2025, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, due to pneumonia caused by respiratory failure, her son Brandon Boyle, a Hollywood prop master, confirmed. She was 96.
Shepard, born Josephine Angela Sorbello on March 19, 1928, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, lived a life marked by her vibrant spirit and passion for acting. From her early days in school plays to her eventual journey to Hollywood, she forged a career that spanned decades and included roles in some of the most memorable TV Westerns of her time. Shepard appeared in episodes of Rawhide, The Virginian, Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, The Lone Ranger, and many more, cementing her legacy as one of the standout actresses of the genre.
In addition to her extensive television work, Shepard shared the screen with Elvis Presley in two of his iconic films, King Creole (1958) and Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966). In King Creole, directed by Michael Curtiz, she played Mimi, the sister of Presley’s character Danny Fisher. Years later, she portrayed the wife of Danny Kohana (played by James Shigeta) in Paradise, Hawaiian Style, in which Presley starred as Rick Richards, a helicopter pilot. Shepard fondly recalled her experiences with the legendary singer, noting the change in his demeanor between their two films. In a 1999 interview for the book Westerns Women, she remembered Presley as a “teddy bear” during their first collaboration but noticed a more guarded version of the singer after his return from military service.
Shepard’s career wasn’t limited to Westerns or Presley films. Her work included roles in films like the cult B-movie Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) and appearances in soap operas like The Clear Horizon and Day in Court. She got her big break in King Creole thanks to her close friend Dolores Hart, who also starred in the film as Presley’s love interest. The bond between Shepard and Hart remained strong, even after Hart left Hollywood to become a nun. Shepard and Gary Cooper’s daughter, Maria Cooper, would later serve as Hart’s godmothers.
Shepard’s legacy will live on through her family, including her son Brandon, daughter-in-law Jenn, grandchildren Riley and Hayley, and nephew Andrew and his family. The memories of her contributions to film and television, especially her roles in beloved Westerns and her collaborations with Elvis Presley, will continue to be cherished by fans and loved ones alike.
“She was a delight,” Shepard once said of her experiences in Hollywood. Her infectious warmth, professionalism, and the joy she brought to her roles ensured that her presence on screen would be missed but never forgotten.