Hollywood is no stranger to tales of stardom, but Cybill Shepherd’s story is particularly compelling. Born with a natural charisma, her path to fame seemed destined, yet it was fraught with challenges that were both public and deeply personal.
From Memphis Belle to Hollywood Starlet
Cybill Lynn Shepherd, born on February 18, 1950, was a head-turner from a young age. She gained early recognition by winning Miss Teenage Memphis and later Miss Congeniality at the 1996 Miss Teenage America pageant. Her striking looks and natural poise led to a “Model of the Year” win in 1968, landing her on multiple Glamour magazine covers and catching the eye of director Peter Bogdanovich. This chance encounter launched her acting career, with her film debut in Bogdanovich’s The Last Picture Show (1971) earning her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. She continued to build her filmography with roles in The Heartbreak Kid (1972). Beyond acting, Shepherd also explored her musical talents, releasing her debut album “Cybill Does It…To Cole Porter” in 1974.
Career Highs, Critical Blows, and a Pivotal TV Role
While some early films, like Daisy Miller (1974) and At Long Last Love (1975), didn’t achieve commercial success, Shepherd found critical acclaim with Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976). However, it was her role in the 1980s television series Moonlighting, co-starring Bruce Willis, that catapulted her to widespread recognition and earned her multiple awards, including Golden Globes. This success was followed by her own hit sitcom, Cybill (1995-1998), which garnered her another Golden Globe. Despite these triumphs, Shepherd faced harsh criticism for her acting at times.
Personal Struggles and Hard-Won Resilience
Behind the glamour, Shepherd navigated a complex personal life. Her affair with the then-married Peter Bogdanovich led to a period where she felt “virtually blacklisted” from Hollywood, prompting a temporary retreat to Memphis. During Moonlighting, she battled body pains and, while pregnant with twins, faced tension with showrunners and developed gestational diabetes. She also alleged unfair portrayal as a “diva” on set. In a particularly poignant revelation, Shepherd claimed her sitcom Cybill was canceled after she refused advances from CBS CEO Les Moonves, an allegation that predated Moonves’s eventual firing for sexual misconduct.
Health Battles and Finding Faith
Shepherd’s journey also included significant health challenges. In 2002, she was diagnosed with melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer (dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans), requiring surgery. For years, she suffered from undiagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), enduring bloating, discomfort, and chronic constipation before finally receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment. In 2004, she had a near-death experience requiring colon resection surgery. After experiencing emotional hardship from failed relationships, Shepherd found solace and healing in her Christian faith.
Relationships, Activism, and a Lasting Legacy
Shepherd’s personal life included an eight-year relationship with Peter Bogdanovich. She was married twice: to David M. Ford (1978-1982), with whom she had daughter Clementine, and to chiropractor Bruce Oppenheim (1987-1990), with whom she had twins Ariel and Zachariah. She also cherished a relationship with Larry McMurtry, whom she called the “love of her life.”
Beyond her personal and professional life, Shepherd has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights, receiving the National Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign in 2006. She has also supported the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and the Race to Erase MS, particularly after her daughter Clementine’s diagnosis. Her experiences are detailed in her autobiography, Cybill Disobedience: How I Survived Beauty Pageants, Elvis, Sex, Bruce Willis, Lies, Marriage, Motherhood, Hollywood, and the Irrepressible Urge to Say What I Think.
Despite the immense challenges she has faced, Cybill Shepherd remains active in the entertainment industry, a testament to her resilience and enduring talent. Her story highlights the complexities of fame, the personal battles fought behind the scenes, and the strength found in perseverance and faith.
