Category: Finance | Title: Sam Shepard Age at Death: Key Facts and Timeline | Tag: Sam Shepard | Meta Description: How old was Sam Shepard when he died, with key dates and career milestones...
Sam Shepard Age at Death
Sam Shepard was 73 years old when he died on July 27, 2017, in Kentucky, according to public records and reports from major outlets including Forbes. His birth date was November 5, 1943, making his final age 73 years, 8 months, and 22 days.
The question "how old was Sam Shepard when he died" is a common search query because his career spanned decades across theater, film, and television, and his death was widely covered by outlets such as Biography.com. Public records confirm his age at death as 73, with no ambiguity about the year or circumstances.
Early Life and Career Milestones
Sam Shepard was born Samuel Shepard Rogers III on November 5, 1943, in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and grew up in California and Texas. He began his career as a playwright in the 1960s, earning recognition for raw, experimental works that influenced modern American theater.
By the 1970s, Shepard had won an Obie Award and was considered one of the most important voices in contemporary drama. His transition to film acting in the 1980s and 1990s, including roles in film projects and collaborations with directors like Robert Altman, cemented his reputation as a versatile artist.
Legacy and Public Record
Sam Shepard's death at age 73 was attributed to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. His passing was reported by major news organizations and documented in public records, including statements from his family and representatives.
His body of work continues to be studied in theater and film programs, and his age at death is frequently cited in retrospectives and biographies. The combination of his long career and sudden health decline makes the query about his final age a consistent search topic, with reliable sources such as The New York Times and Biography.com providing verified details.