W. Morgan Sheppard

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W. Morgan Sheppard
Sheppard in 2015
Born
William Morgan Sheppard

(1932-08-24)24 August 1932
London, England
Died6 January 2019(2019-01-06) (aged 86)
Other namesMorgan Sheppard
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Years active1961–2017
SpouseRegina Lisa Scherer (m. 1963)
ChildrenMark Sheppard

William Morgan Sheppard (24 August 1932 – 6 January 2019)[1][2] was an English actor who appeared in over 100 films and television programmes, in a career that spanned over 50 years.

Early life and stage career[edit]

Sheppard served in the British Merchant Navy during the Korean War.[3] He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1958,[4] before spending 12 years as an associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He appeared on Broadway in Marat/Sade (1966) and in Sherlock Holmes (1975).[5] He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for The Homecoming in 1995.

Film career[edit]

Sheppard appeared in several episodes of different series of Star Trek, notably The Next Generation's "The Schizoid Man" and Voyager's "Bliss". In the feature film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, his role was the warden of a Klingon gulag and in the 2009 reboot Star Trek, he played a member of the Vulcan High Council, but was uncredited.[6] Outside of Star Trek, he is best known for his role as Blank Reg on Max Headroom and his role as the Confederate general Isaac R. Trimble in the films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

Sheppard appeared in two roles on the science-fiction series Babylon 5, in the episode titled "Soul Hunter", playing the eponymous character and also played Narn war leader G'Sten, an uncle of main character G'Kar, in "The Long Twilight Struggle". He was also a runner-up for the role of Ambassador G'Kar on the series, though the role eventually went to Andreas Katsulas.

Sheppard was one of several Star Trek actors who voiced characters on the animated series Gargoyles, wherein he played the father of Jonathan Frakes' character David Xanatos and the Norse god Odin.

Sheppard and his son, Mark Sheppard, acted together in a few productions. Sheppard appeared in the television series NCIS, in the season six episode "Broken Bird", where he played the older version of a man named Marcin Jerek, while his son played the younger version.[4] He appeared in the opening episode of series six of Doctor Who, "The Impossible Astronaut", playing the character Canton Everett Delaware III. He portrayed an older version of Delaware, while his son portrayed the younger version in the same episode. He and his son are among the few actors who have appeared in both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises.[4]

In December 2009, Sheppard voiced the part of Santa in Disney's Christmas special Prep & Landing. Following that, he returned as the voice of Santa in the sequels, Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa and Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice. On 4 December 2010, Sheppard appeared on Hallmark Channel Original Films Farewell Mr. Kringle as Kris Kringle.

Video game career[edit]

Sheppard voiced several characters in video games. He narrated the introductions and mission briefings for the first four installments of the Medal of Honor video-game series. He was cast in the 1996 adventure game Zork Nemesis, playing the live-action role of Bishop Francois Malveaux, one of the four alchemists central to the plot of the game. In 2000, he voiced the character Ignatius Cheese in the game Escape from Monkey Island. Sheppard voiced over for the character John Adams in the Wii game The Conduit. He provided the voice for the character Lucky in the 2002 Xbox (console) game Whacked!. On 4 August 2010, Sheppard was announced as the voice actor for the video game Civilization V.[7] and provided the voice overs for loading screens, victory screens, built wonders, and newly researched technologies.

Personal life and death[edit]

Sheppard and his wife Regina were the parents of actor Mark Sheppard.[8][9] Sheppard died on 6 January 2019, in Los Angeles, California, aged 86.[5][9][4][10]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1962 Strongroom Alec
1967 Marat/Sade A Mad Animal
1968 Tell Me Lies Guest
1973 The Roses of Eyam William Hancock Television film
1974 Antony and Cleopatra Scarus Television film
1977 The Duellists The Fencing Master
Rachel and the Beelzebub Bombardiers Salvationist
1978 The Nativity Flavius Television film
1980 The Sea Wolves 'Patch' Lovecroft
The Elephant Man Man In Pub
Hawk the Slayer Ranulf
1983 Nutcracker George Peacock
The Keep Alexandru
1984 Lassiter Sweeny
Camille Captain Television film
The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood Saxon thief Television film
1985 The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission German General Television film
Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future Blank Reg Television film
AD Gracchus TV Mini-Series
The Doctor and the Devils Landlord
1986 Lady Jane Executioner
1987 Cry Freedom Policeman
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge Digger McCloud Television film
1988 Elvira: Mistress of the Dark Vincent Talbot
Lucky Stiff Pa
1990 Wild at Heart Mr. Reindeer
1991 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Klingon Prison Warden
1992 There Goes the Neighbourhood Trick Bissell
1993 Needful Things Father Meehan
Gettysburg Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble / Narrator
Taking Liberty
1994 Following Her Heart Anders Lundquist Television film
1996 The Lottery Mayor Warner Television film
1997 Nether World Old Timer
1998 Goldrush: A Real Life Alaskan Adventure Whiskers Television film
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Captain Voice, direct-to-video
The Escape Long Television film
Hurricane Festival Charles
1999 Treasure of Pirate's Point Charles Vane / Captain
The Hungry Bachelors Club Mr. Ringold
2001 Room 101 Landers
2003 Gods and Generals Maj. Gen. Isaac Trimble
Atlantis: Milo's Return Erik Hellstrom Voice, direct-to-video[11]
Small Town Conspiracy Taylor
Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle Denny Television film
2005 Love's Long Journey Scottie Television film
2006 Love's Abiding Joy Scottie
The Prestige Merrit
2007 A Stranger's Heart Fred Landreth Television film
Transformers Captain Archibald Witwicky
Along the Way Mr. Hereck
2008 Over Her Dead Body Father Marks
So Long Jimmy Poppy Garfield
Japan Voice
2009 Star Trek Vulcan Science Minister Uncredited
Prep & Landing Santa Claus Voice, television film[11]
2010 Mysterious Island Captain Nemo
For Christ's Sake Father Monahan
Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa Santa Claus Voice, television film[11]
2011 Meeting Spencer Larry Lind Voice, television film[11]
Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice Santa Claus
2012 The Last Mark Uncle Bill
2012 The Guy...Who Was in That Thing Self
2013 The Devil's Dozen
April Apocalypse Pops
Free Birds Voice
2016 Last Man Club Will Hodges Final film role

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1961 Theatre Night Arthur Broadbent Episode: "Celebration"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1962 Z-Cars Ron Probert Episode: "The Five Whistles"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1971 The Expert Landlord Episode: "Smithereens"
1973 The Roses of Eyam William Hancock Television film; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1973 The Up and Down, In and Out, Round About Man Currently Unknown Episode: "The Winner"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1974 Crown Court Dr. Martin Huntersmith Episode: "Nuts"
1974 New Scotland Yard Harry Haines Episode: "All That Glitters"
1974 Dial M for Murder Usher Episode: "The Man in the Middle"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1974 Antony and Cleopatra Scarus Television film; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1974 Marked Personal Hearst 2 episodes
1975 Churchill's People Sabinianus Episode: "The Lost Island"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1975 The Sweeney Det. Chief Insp. Morrison Episode: "Jackpot"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1976 The Life and Death of Penelope Foreman Episode: "The Watcher"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1976 Z-Cars Joe Burnham Episode: "Contact"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1976 The New Avengers Walters Episode: "Gnaws"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1977 Target Barman Episode: "Hunting Parties"
1977 London Belongs to Me Henry Knockell 6 episodes
1977 When the Boat Comes In Dixon 3 episodes
1977 The Onedin Line Ned Harris Episode: "Coffin Ships"
1978 Enemy at the Door Raymond Girard Episode: "By Order of the Fuhrer"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1978 The Cedar Tree Police Constable Episode: "Home & Abroad"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1978 Out Mr. Smith Episode: "The Moment He Opened His Envelope"; credited as Morgan Sheppard
1979 The Onedin Line Sampson Episode: "To Honour and Obey"
1979 Rebecca Ben 2 episodes
1979 The Legend of King Arthur Gorlois Episode 1
1979 Minder John Episode: "Come in T-64, Your Time Is Ticking Away"
1979 Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson Man in the Morgue / Mischkin 2 episodes
1980 Shōgun Specz 5 episodes
1981 Masada Roman Sergeant Episode 1
1981 The Day of the Triffids Bill Masen's father Episode 1
1981 The Flame Trees of Thika Piet Roos 3 episodes
1987–1988 Max Headroom Blank Reg 7 episodes
1987–1989 Crossbow Otto / Parker 2 episodes
1989 Star Trek: The Next Generation Dr. Ira Graves Episode: "The Schizoid Man"
1989–1990 MacGyver Dr. Zito 2 episodes
1991 Designing Women Professor Burton Episode: "Tales Out of School"
1992–1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant Sailor / Douglas / Man Voice, 4 episodes
1993–1996 Biker Mice from Mars Lawrence Lactavius Limburger Voice, 65 episodes[11]
1993 Quantum Leap Gooshie, the Miner Episode: "Mirror Image"
1993–1994 seaQuest DSV The Old Man, Professor Martinson 7 episodes
1994–1995 Babylon 5 Warleader G'Sten / The Soul Hunter 2 episodes
1994–1996 Iron Man Dum Dum Dugan Voice[11]
1995 Frasier Mr. Drake Episode: "The Club"
1995 Murder, She Wrote Dr. Fredrick Grundberg Episode: "Twice Dead"
1995–1996 Gargoyles Petros Xanatos, Odin, King Kenneth, Radar, Security Guard Voice, 7 episodes[11]
1996 American Gothic Mr. Emmett Episode: "To Hell and Back"
1996 Poltergeist: The Legacy Grave Digger Episode: "The Fifth Sepulcher"
1998 JAG Maj. Viktor Lushov Episode: "To Russia with Love"
1999 Star Trek: Voyager Qatai Episode: "Bliss"
2000 Diagnosis: Murder Dr. Tom Arneberg Episode: "The Unluckiest Bachelor in L.A."
2000 The Wild Thornberrys Lead Jackal Voice, episode: "Cheetahs Never Prosper"[11]
2000–2001 Days of Our Lives Charles 3 episodes
2001–2002 Hellsing Peter Fargason Voice, English dub, 10 episodes
2002 Justice League Merlin Voice, episode: "A Knight of Shadows"[11]
2002 Crossing Jordan Clive Alpert Episode: "The Truth Is Out There"
2003 Charmed Merrill Episode: "The Day the Magic Died"
2003 Licensed by Royalty Mister 13 episodes
2004 Kingdom Hospital Narrator 3 episodes
2005 Alias Milo Sabine Episode: "Echoes"
2005 Cold Case Dan O'Brien Episode: "Creatures of the Night"
2005 Gilmore Girls Town Elder Episode: "Blame Booze and Melville"
2006–2007 Biker Mice from Mars Lawrence Limburger Voice, 3 episodes[11]
2007 Criminal Minds John Caulfield Episode: "Birthright"
2009 NCIS Marcin Jerek / Mr. Pain Episode: "Broken Bird"
2010 Legend of the Seeker The Keeper Voice, 3 episodes
2010 Mad Men Robert Pryce Episode: "Hands and Knees"
2011 Doctor Who Old Canton Everett Delaware III Episode: "The Impossible Astronaut"
2011 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Father Cullen Episode: "How Mac Got Fat"
2011 Dexter Father Nicholas Galway Episode: "Sin of Omission"
2012 Young Justice Sardath Voice, episode: "Earthlings"[11]
2016 The Librarians Teddy Chislington Episode: "And the Trial of the Triangle"

Video games[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Shannara Troll King, Eventine Elessedil [11]
1996 Zork Nemesis Bishop Francois Malveaux
1997 Outlaws Bloodeye Tim [11]
1999 Medal of Honor Colonel Stanley Hargrove
2000 Star Wars: Force Commander Heavy Gun Trooper / Ruulian Strip Miner
2000 Escape from Monkey Island Ignatius Cheese
2000 Medal of Honor: Underground Colonel Stanley Hargrove
2001 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Gurlukovich Soldiers [11]
2002 Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Colonel Stanley Hargrove
2002 Medal of Honor: Frontline Colonel Stanley Hargrove
2002 Whacked! Lucky [11]
2006 Medal of Honor: Heroes Colonel Stanley Hargrove
2009 Afro Samurai Daimyo [11]
2009 The Conduit John Adams [11]
2009 The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena Pavlo, Senate [11]
2009 Wet William Ackers [11]
2010 Civilization V Narrator, Additional voices

References[edit]

  1. ^ "W. Morgan Sheppard 1932 - 2019". Doctor Who News. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  2. ^ William Morgan Sheppard dead: Star Trek actor dies aged 86 Daily Mirror, 7 January 2019
  3. ^ Exclusive Interview With William Morgan Sheppard WhatCulture. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Clarisse Loughrey (7 January 2019). "William Morgan Sheppard death: Star Trek and Doctor Who actor dies aged 86". The Independent. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b Denise Petski (8 January 2019). "William Morgan Sheppard Dies: 'Star Trek' Actor Was 86". Deadline. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Remembering Trek Guest, W. Morgan Sheppard, 1932-2019". Star Trek.com. 2019.
  7. ^ "Voice Actor Revealed". Civilization V — Community. Take-Two Interactive Software. 4 August 2010.
  8. ^ Martin, Dan (23 April 2011). "Doctor Who: The Impossible Astronaut - Series 32, episode 1". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2011. ...the older Canton on the beach is actually Mark Sheppard's dad, William Morgan Sheppard.
  9. ^ a b Peter Sblendorio (8 January 2019). "'Star Trek' actor William Morgan Sheppard dead at 86". Daily News. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  10. ^ Emma Kent (8 January 2019). "Civilization 5 narrator William Morgan Sheppard dies aged 86". Eurogamer. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "William Morgan Sheppard (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 21 October 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.

External links[edit]