Ted Shackelford entertained soap opera audiences for several decades with spellbinding performances. Although he began his career with NBC, most of Shackelford’s soap opera credits were on CBS. For over three decades, Shackelford appeared as a series regular and/or recurring in different shows.
Yet, with his decades-long success in soap opera, Ted Shackelford hasn’t had any starring role since 2017. Ted Shackelford, who turned 78 on June 23, 2024, seemed to have disappeared from television without formally retiring as an actor. Here’s everything to know about Ted Shackelford and his whereabouts.
Ted Shackelford’s Career From the 1970s to 1990s
Ted Shackelford’s acting credits started in 1975, when he was cast as Raymond Gordon on NBC’s soap opera Another World. Shackelford originated the character, making his first appearance on November 14, 1975. He portrayed and appeared in 110 episodes of Another World. After his exit in 1976, Gary Carpenter was recast and portrayed the character for about a year.
Three years later, Ted Shackelford joined the cast of CBS primetime soap opera Dallas in 1979. Shackelford replaced David Ackroyd to portray Gary Ewing, oil baron Jock, and Miss Ellie Ewing’s second son. In Dallas, Gary was often considered the black sheep of the Ewing family. His marriage to Valene Ewing (Joan Van Ark) produced a daughter, Lucy. Gary Ewing’s storyline revolved around his addiction to alcohol and marriage.
Ted Shackelford also portrayed the character in the Dallas spin-off soap opera Knots Landing. Unlike Dallas, the spin-off was set in the fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles. While appearing in Knots Landing, Shackelford also appeared in several episodes of Dallas. Besides Michele Lee, Ted Shackelford appeared in more episodes of Knots Landing than any other cast member. Shackelford also reprised the character in the 2012 second season of Dallas. In the British science fiction police procedural Space Precinct, Ted Shackelford led the cast as Lieutenant Patrick Brogan, appearing in all aired 24 episodes.
Ted Shackelford on The Young and the Restless
After Knots Landing and its continuation miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac (1997) ended, Ted Shackelford continued appearing in other TV shows. He starred in several movies as well as guest roles on television. In 2006, Shackelford joined The Young and the Restless cast as William Bardwell. Kay Alden and John F. Smith created the character. Shackelford made his debut on the show on February 2, 2006.
Although William Bardwell was killed off after dying from complications from a stroke, Ted Shackelford returned a month later to portray William’s twin brother, Jeffery. Shackelford last appeared as William Bardwell on July 18, 2007, and first portrayed Jeffrey Bardwell on August 8, 2007. Shackelford briefly exited the role in 2011 and was replaced by Kin Shriner. However, Shackelford returned and portrayed the character until his exit in 2015. Ted Shackelford’s last appearance on The Young and the Restless was on the episode that aired on January 9, 2015.
Where Is Ted Shackelford?
It was easy to see why Ted Shackelford connected with a lot of soap opera fans. The actor had spent decades appearing in several soap operas, and joining Y&R made him popular with the show’s younger audiences at the time. However, Shackelford has been less active in film and television since his exit from The Young and the Restless.
Ted Shackelford’s last acting credit was in 2017, two years after his exit from Y&R. Interestingly, his guest appearance on an NCIS episode went uncredited. Shackelford played a character named Stewart. Since then, Shackelford hasn’t worked on any project on-screen or off-screen. At some point, there were speculations he was battling with a health challenge. Another report claimed he exited the show to focus on “family problems.”
In a Los Angeles Times article dated October 2, 2017, Ted Shackelford reportedly purchased a Toluca Lake home for $1,566,500. This is the last official report about the actor who captured audiences for over three decades. There are also no official confirmations that Shackelford has retired from acting. Just as he made an uncredited appearance on NCIS, maybe (just maybe) fans could see him make a cameo in the near future. As of today, Ted Shackelford is alive but has chosen to lead a private life and probably wants to enjoy a long time off. Besides Ted Shackelford life update, also read about what happened to the iconic actress, Shelley Long.
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