Richard Shepard was born, raised and lives in New York City. He attended NYU’s film school but did not graduate because he failed his required science class. He is still awaiting his honorary degree.
In the course of his career, Mr. Shepard has written, directed and produced six independent features, written numerous screenplays for the studios, directed Emmy-winning television and once fired Shelley Winters.
Mr. Shepard latest film, TBD starring Richard Gere and Terrance Howard is based on a true story. It’s a darkly comic adventure about three journalists hunting the most wanted war criminal in Bosnia.
Shepard was nominated for the 2007 Emmy award and won the 2006 Director’s Guild of America award for directing the pilot of the hit ABC show UGLY BETTY. Shepard’s previous directorial effort for television was the pilot for CRIMINAL MINDS starring Mandy Patinkin, that is now in it’s second season on CBS.
Richard Shepard’s previous feature film, THE MATADOR, which he wrote and directed, starred Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear and Hope Davis, and opened in December of 2005. Brosnan received a Golden Globe nomination for his work in the film.
Prior to that, Shepard wrote, produced and directed indie thriller OXYGEN, starring Adrien Brody and Maura Tierney. He also produced the 2001 Sundance Dramatic Competition entry SCOTLAND, PA., directed by Billy Morrissette. The film starred James LeGros, Maura Tierney, Christopher Walken, Amy Smart and Andy Dick. Along with producing, Shepard also appears nude in the film as a streaker. This fact should not stop you from renting it at your local Blockbuster.
When he was 24 Shepard co-wrote and directed the romantic comedy THE LINGUINI INCIDENT starring David Bowie and Rosanna Arquette. Unfortunately for Shepard, and the movie going public, the 1991 romantic comedy was neither romantic nor very funny. Thankfully the film is currently unavailable on DVD.
IM Filmproduktions GmbH
