Jack Shepherd (actor)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jack Shepherd (born October 29, 1940, Leeds, Yorkshire) is a British actor, well-known for playing avuncular policemen, army personnel, and clergy. He made his film debut in 1968 in All Neat in Black Stockings, but is best known for his television roles, most notably as the titular role of Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe in Wycliffe.
Shepherd studied fine art at Kings College, Newcastle, gaining a BA before going on to study acting at the Central School and then at the Drama Centre London. He worked at the Royal Court Theatre from 1965 to 1969.
During the 1970s, he appeared in many television dramas, notably with an occasional role in the series Budgie. He also spent the decade running a drama studio in north London with fellow actor Richard Wilson, and during that time became interested in playwriting. He has written several plays including The Sleep of Reasons, Real Time, Clapperclaw and Half Moon. Jack Shepherd was also in Count Dracula (1976), giving a remarkable performance as Renfield. Louis Jourdan played the title role. He also took the title role in Trevor Griffiths' Bill Brand (1976) as a radical Labour MP.
His work in television increased during the 1980s and 1990s, culminating as the eponymous Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe. His stage acting also continued, and Shepherd was the first actor to take the stage role of Richard Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross, for which he was awarded a Laurence Olivier Award. He has also worked as a theatrical director, and is an accomplished saxophonist. His daughter, Catherine Shepherd is also an actress.
