i.m. Jack Shepherd 29th October 1940 – 24th November 2025)
Bill Brand has died. I wonder if you remember that series?
It was written by Trevor Griffiths about an aspiring Old Labour MP.
The great Jack Shepherd played Bill just as he wrote his In Lambeth
Play about Blake: soulful, sainted, and always intent on becoming
Whether on stage, screen or page, more than free. Just witness
Jack’s stare in Ready when you are Mr. McGill through to Wycliffe,
Shepherd scoured each moment as all actors must for the truth.
He was gentle and wise, muscular, weather wounded, whether
Caved by clouds or room ruined his actions and act raised the roof.
But now his is another sensibility sewn into the seemingly endless
Fabric of a cosmic costume worn within worlds we can’t see,
But which will adorn the adored; loved because of their made Art
Education. Whether Chasing the Moment in his play about Jazz,
Or Holding Fire’s charged Chartists, or Through a Cloud’s Cromwell
And Milton critiquing a cracked monarchy. Shepherd’s face, his long nose,
His lovers eyes stalk our senses. He was actor as poet, whether or not
He wrote lines. Dignifying all. Daring us to make the intimate epic.
He had a classicist’s skill primed and private, kept within his Leeds
Lent air, hair like wine flowing free from his face, whether as amateur
First or musician, before Central shaped him, and he formed
The Drama Studio in Kentish Town. Shepherd attended fresh flocks
Guiding them to the finding of their own paths to possessing
What he held from birth: talent’s crown. Another actor of old,
With whom the new aren’t familiar. Including those like John Woodvine,
Also recently lost cast ghost air. Television faces who framed
A generation of childhoods. There is of course, always expertise
And yet Shepherd’s was a singular star shining brightly through
His dark black eyes, craft and care. Most actors these days just perform.
What Shepherd did was inhabit. He exposed the soul
Through closed windows and gave wisdom itself attitude.
He was part of a company formed that can never fade
Once we realise that despite trend, time and torments
We owe them more than mere gratitude. Jack Shepherd
The actor showed us how it feels to be human. It is in his plays
And performance and can be tracked across field and fury,
Beatitudes burned before breath. They will miss him, his mates,
His family and the flocks who walked with him. As should we.
Another actor and anchor raised into a near angelic state
after death.
David Erdos 26/11/25
.