On January 17, 2025, Jan Shepard, known for her prolific television and film career, passed away at the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. Shepard’s son, Brandon Boyle, a Hollywood prop master, confirmed her death was due to pneumonia further complicated by respiratory failure. She was 96.
Shepard, born Josephine Angela Sorbello on March 19, 1928, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1949 with the aim to pursue acting. Her early acting career took root at the Pasadena Playhouse before she made her television debut in 1952 on “Fireside Theater.” Despite her initial doubts about Elvis Presley’s potential in show business, she eventually became one of his confidants in Hollywood.
In 1958, Shepard attained her breakthrough role as Mimi Fisher, the sister of Elvis Presley’s character, in “King Creole.” Shepard referred to this role as “the break of her life.” The film held a special place for both actors, with Presley considering it his favorite among his films. Shepard worked with Presley again in 1966, in “Paradise, Hawaiian Style,” where she played Betty Kohana, a business partner’s wife. “Once I met him, I just adored him,” Shepard said of Presley. Their professional association evolved into a close friendship, with Presley often treating her as a sister figure.
Shepard’s TV career spanned over two decades and included notable appearances in over 30 Western television series. She starred in shows such as “I Married Joan,” “The Loretta Young Show,” “The Lone Ranger,” “Gunsmoke,” “Rawhide,” “The Virginian,” “Perry Mason,” “Bat Masterson,” “Dr. Christian,” “Waterfront,” and “Tales of the Texas Rangers.” In the interim of her collaborations with Presley, she starred as Betty Howard in the daytime drama “The Clear Horizon,” which ran for two seasons.
In 1959, Shepard featured in the cult classic “Attack of the Giant Leeches,” further diversifying her filmography that eventually comprised 89 acting credits. Her last screen appearance was in 1973 on the ABC police series “The Rookies,” marking the end of her illustrious career that spanned more than two decades during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
At the onset of her career in Los Angeles in 1951, Shepard met actor Ray Boyle, famously known for his role as Wyatt Earp. The couple married in 1954 and enjoyed a 67-year-long marriage in the entertainment industry until Boyle’s death in 2022 at age 98. Shepard managed a successful career in both television and film while maintaining her ties to the entertainment industry.
Shepard, of Sicilian descent, brought depth and authenticity to her roles, especially in the numerous Western series that were a significant part of her television career. Her son, Brandon Boyle, who also joined the entertainment industry, paid tribute to his mother, calling her “a good one” who will be “dearly missed.”
Shepard is survived by her son Brandon, his wife Jenn, and their children Riley and Hayley.