Elizabeth Shepherd

**Elizabeth Shepherd** (born 12 August 1936) is an English character actress whose long career has encompassed the stage and both the big and small screens. Her television work has been especially prolific. Shepherd's surname has been variously rendered as **"Shephard"** and **"Sheppard".**

## Career

Shepherd began acting in television series in 1959. In 1960, she appeared in an adaptation of A. J. Cronin's novel, _The Citadel_. She was the original choice to play Emma Peel in the 1960s television series _The Avengers_. However, after filming nearly two episodes, Shepherd left the production and was replaced by Diana Rigg.

In 1970 she appeared on Broadway in Barry England's _Conduct Unbecoming_, a story of the British Army in Kipling's India, as Mrs Hasseltine. She was praised for her performance in _Time_ magazine. Shepherd was pictured in _Time_ along with her co-stars, the pop singers Jeremy Clyde and Paul Jones, who began their roles as British subalterns in London during 1969.

In film she appeared as both Lady Rowena and Ligeia in Roger Corman's _The Tomb of Ligeia_ (1964), as well as in _Damien: Omen II_ as the ill-fated reporter Joan Hart, _The Kidnapping of the President_, _Deadly Companion_ and _Amelia_. Her TV work includes the cult series _The Corridor People_ (1966), the 1978 miniseries _The Bastard_, and _The Cleopatras_, a BBC historical drama.

Elizabeth Shepherd has acted in numerous stage plays in both Shakespearean and contemporary dramas. As well as teaching drama at the Stella Adler school, she starred in "December Fools" in 2006 at the Abingdon Theater in New York. In 2014, she starred in a Canadian production of _Driving Miss Daisy_.

An article in the _Toronto Star_ reported an incident of Shepherd being a victim of identity theft and mortgage fraud in 2006.

In 2019 she released an audiobook of Edgar Allan Poe's _Ligeia_ along with other Poe tales. The CD has been met with critical acclaim.

## Filmography

- _The Queen's Guards_ (1961) - Susan
- _What Every Woman Wants_ (1962) - Sue Goodwin
- _Blind Corner_ (1964) - Joan Marshall
- _The Tomb of Ligeia_ (1964) - The Lady Rowena Trevanion / The Lady Ligeia
- _Hell Boats_ (1970) - Alison
- _The Duchess of Duke Street_ (1976) - Series 1, episode 7 - Diana Strickland
- _Damien: Omen II_ (1978) - Joan Hart
- _Deadly Companion_ (1980) - Frances
- _The Kidnapping of the President_ (1980) - Joan Scott
- _Love_ (1982) - Mrs Wiseman (segment "Julia")
- _Invitation to the Wedding_ (1985) - Lady Caroline
- _Head Office_ (1985) - Mrs Issel
- _Criminal Law_ (1988) - Dr Sybil Thiel
- _Mustard Bath_ (1993) - Matthew's mother
- _Time to Say Goodbye?_ (1997) - Teresa Rodriguez
- _The White Raven_ (1998) - Hannah Rothschild
- _The Spreading Ground_ (2000) - Mayor Hackett
- _Desire_ (2000) - Mrs Waterson
- _Amelia_ (2009) - Frances Putnam

## Other websites

- Official website

## Infobox (person)

- **image**: Elizabeth Shepherd 2019.jpg
- **caption**: Shepherd in 2019
- **birth place**: London, England
- **years active**: 1959–2016
- **spouse**: John Ringham (1959–1962; divorced)
- **website**: http://www.elizabethshepherdactor.com
- **other names**: Elizabeth Shephard, Elizabeth Sheppard