Jan Shepard dies at 96 after pneumonia battle, remembered for roles with Elvis Presley

Golden age Hollywood star Jan Shepard, known for films with Elvis Presley and TV roles, dies at 96.

Hollywood actress Jan Shepard, celebrated for her roles alongside Elvis Presley, passed away at the age of 96. Shepard died on January 17, 2025, in a California hospital due to pneumonia caused by respiratory failure.

Best known for her work during Hollywood's golden age, Shepard starred in King Creole (1958) and Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) with Elvis Presley. Reflecting on her first encounter with the rock ‘n’ roll icon, Shepard once shared a humorous anecdote: their outfits matched, leading Elvis to joke, "Honey, I’m either going to have to give you my jacket or you’re going to have to give me your pants." Shepard described her role in King Creole as "the break of her life," where she played Mimi Fisher, Elvis’ on-screen sister. Her other notable film credits include Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959).

Outside of her film career, Shepard was a prominent presence on television, appearing in westerns like Rawhide, The Virginian, and Gunsmoke. Her small-screen career began in 1952 with Fireside Theatre, one of the earliest successful TV series.

Away from the spotlight, Shepard was born in Pennsylvania in 1928 and married actor Dirk London (Ray Boyle) in 1954. Together, they had a son, Brandon Boyle. London passed away in 2022 at the age of 98. Brandon paid tribute to his mother, saying, "She was a good one and will be dearly missed."

Shepard remained connected to her Hollywood legacy, attending events such as the 2012 "Elvis at the Movies" program at the Grammy Museum. Her remarkable contributions to film and television, especially her iconic collaborations with Elvis Presley, cement her status as a cherished figure in Hollywood’s golden age.