Brian Sheppard's multifaceted talent, nurtured by his innate ability to bring to life the works of Shakespeare and Molière, has catapulted him to the forefront of the acting world, particularly in the realms of true crime and contemporary drama.
His versatility has led to a wide range of roles, showcasing his capacity to embody complex characters. His appearances on AMC's "The Walking Dead" and NBC's longest-running show "Law & Order: SVU" have demonstrated his ability to portray vulnerable or villainous characters, always infusing them with depth and nuance.
One of his most notable performances was as James Dalman on "The Blacklist", where he added layers of complexity to his character by playing a drug-addicted, disturbed, and edgy individual. His portrayal of Gary Evans, a prolific serial killer, on ID Channel's "To Catch a Killer", was equally impressive, as he brought to life a charismatic and deeply disturbed character reminiscent of notorious figures like Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Richard Ramirez.
However, Brian's range extends far beyond the realm of dramatic roles. He has also showcased his comedic chops in the pilot for "Vetted" and the Indy film "Beautiful Something", playing a poet who finds inspiration and love after confronting his former lover. His performance earned him the Best Actor award at the Chicago LGBT Film Fest and the Best Actor Award at the Mumbai LGBT Film Fest.
Prior to his success in contemporary roles, Brian honed his classical acting skills at Tennessee Shakespeare Co. (TSC),where he played a variety of roles including Lavatch in All's Well That Ends Well, Berowne, Richard II, John Ford, Titus Lartius, Dromio of Syracuse, and Don Jon in 400: The Shakespeare Feast.
Early in his career, Brian's intense dramatic range and versatility led to success in a range of roles, including the title role in Hamlet, Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew (TSC),Dorante in The Liar (Centenary Stage Co.),Caliban in The Tempest (PTDT in New York),and Jason in Rabbit Hole (NIU).
Brian's academic background includes a BA in Theatre from Butler University and an MFA in acting from Northern Illinois University (NIU),where he also taught fight choreography and speech/dialect with professors. He has also attended Moscow Theatre School and performed in master classes led by renowned teachers such as Neil Freeman, Anne Bogart, and Kristen Linklater.
In addition to his acting career, Brian is an avid fly fisherman and has been guiding fly fishermen on rivers in New York for 25 years. He also teaches fly tying and has been featured on City Fly.
With a diverse range of projects on the horizon, including roles in sci-fi, true crime, and independent films, Brian Sheppard is sure to continue captivating audiences with his versatility and depth as an actor.
