Jan Shepard, Actress Who Starred In Two Elvis Movies, Dies At Age 96

Jan Shepard Was Elvis’ Co-Star In Two Movies: King Creole And Paradise, Hawaiian Style 

Jan Shepard, the actress beloved for her roles in two Elvis Presley movies, has died.

Shepard was born Josephine Angela Sorbello in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, on March 19, 1928. She started acting in high school plays and moved to Los Angeles in 1949. Upon her move, she joined a theater group called the Ben Bard Players and trained at the Pasadena Playhouse.

She made her acting debut in 1952 when she appeared in an episode of Fireside Theater. She quickly earned roles on other programs, such as I Married Joan, Big Town, Waterfront, and The Loretta Young Show. Shepard also appeared in many popular Westerns, including Rawhide, Gunsmoke, and The Virginian.

But Shepard’s big break came in 1958, when she appeared in the Elvis Presley movie King Creole.

The Hollywood Reporter shares that Shepard once called King Creole “the break of her life.” She credited her friend, Dolores Hart, for helping her land the role. Hart also appeared in the film. Shepard played Mimi Fisher, the sister of Presley’s character Danny Fisher, while Hart played his love interest, Nellie.

After King Creole, Shepard became a regular on the soap operas The Clear Horizon and Day in Court. She also appeared in the critically acclaimed 1962 film Third of a Man.

Shepard got the chance to act alongside Presley in another movie, 1966’s Paradise, Hawaiian Style. She played the character Betty Kohana in the film.

Shepard once recalled how Presley showed up at her birthday party while they were working on King Creole. He gave her a stuffed tiger and a movie camera as presents.

“Dolores [Hart] said the next day she ran into Elvis and she said, ‘I was so surprised that you came,'” Shepard said. “He said [with a laugh], ‘I had to come, she’s my sister. I wouldn’t miss her birthday party.'”

She Passed Away On January 17 At The Age Of 96

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shepard’s last onscreen acting credit was in 1973’s The Rookies.

Shepard married Wyatt Earp director Dirk London in 1954. They were married for nearly 70 years when he passed away in January 2022 at the age of 98.

Sadly, Shepard herself passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 96. The Hollywood Reporter shares that she died at the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, after a case of pneumonia caused respiratory failure.

“She was a good one and will be dearly missed,” her son, Hollywood prop master Brandon Boyle, said in a brief statememt.

Shepard is survived by her son, Brandon Boyle; her daughter-in-law, Jenn; her grandkids, Riley and Hayley; her nephew, Andrew; his wife, Danielle; and her great-niece, Olivia. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

May Jan Shepard rest in peace…