Ted Shackelford

ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE

SOAP STAR STATS

Ted Shackelford (Jeffrey, Y&R)

Vital Statistics

The 411

While going to high school in Tulsa, OK, Ted Shackelford had a percolating interest in acting, but it wasn't until he graduated from the University of Denver that he gave community theater a try. Thoroughly infected by the acting bug, Shackelford moved to New York City and worked as the night manager of The Carlyle Hotel while waiting for his big break.

That came in 1975 when he landed the role of Ray on ANOTHER WORLD. The gig lasted almost two years and was followed by myriad guest-starring appearances on prime-time shows.

In 1979, Shackelford replaced another actor to play J.R. Ewing's alcoholic brother, Gary, on DALLAS, which led to the megasuccessful spin-off, KNOTS LANDING. Shackelford played Gary for 14 years until the series was canceled in 1993.

Shackelford stayed busy in episodic guest spots, as well as appearing on stage before returning to daytime to portray Y&R's upright and uptight DA, William Bardwell. Shackelford was let go over a year later when his character died after a debilitating stroke, only to come back a month later to play William's snaky and sneaky twin brother, Jeffrey.

Et Cetera

Five Random Facts
— His full name is Theodore Tillman
— His dad was a naval officer and a doctor
— Before working together on KL, he and his former TV wife Joan Van Ark (ex-Val) co-starred on an episode of WONDER WOMAN in 1978
— His favorite actor is Paul Newman
— During his tenure as Y&R's William, he wore the same three suits, which he owned.

Career Highlights

Soap Roles
ANOTHER WORLD (Ray Gordon, 1975-77)

TV Roles
DIRTY SEXY MONEY (Dr. Delafield, 2007)
OFFICER DOWN (Donald Hallows, 2005)
CROSSING JORDAN (Emmett Parker, 2005)
THE DIVISION (Ted Hillford, 2004)
CAVE IN (Chief Bogen, 2003)
MIRACLE DOGS (Dr. Ben Logan, 2003)
SPIN CITY (Barry, 2001)
THE PRACTICE (Dr. Stiles, 2000)
THE OUTER LIMITS (High Secretary Paul Kohler, 1999)
CYBILL (Bobby Ray Weeks, 1998)
PROMISED LAND (Brad Elias, 1998)
DEAD MAN'S GUN (Edgar Thurlow, 1998)
KNOTS LANDING: BACK TO THE CUL-DE-SAC (Gary Ewing, 1997)
STOLEN WOMEN, CAPTURED HEARTS (Reverend Brewster, 1997)
TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL (Joel Redding, 1996)
SAVANNAH (Charles Alexander, 1996)
SWEET TEMPTATION (Les Larson, 1996)
SPACE PRECINCT (Lieutenant Patrick Brogan, 1994-95)
THE SPIDER AND THE FLY (Michael Moore, 1994)
HARVEST FOR THE HEART (Jacob Hansen, 1994) (TV)
DYING TO REMEMBER (Mark Gage, 1993)
THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW (AA Member, 1993)
THE COMMISH (Steve Ennis, 1993)
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE (John Hix, 1993)
BABY OF THE BRIDE (John Hix, 1991)
THE LOVE BOAT: A VALENTINE VOYAGE (Paul Royce, 1990)
THE YOUNG RIDERS (Lucas Malone, 1989)
PARADISE (Preston McMillian, 1989)
THE TWILIGHT ZONE (Father Mark Cassidy, 1988)
RESCUE ME (Jerry, 1988)
HOTEL (Richard Anderson, 1987 and Tom Webb, 1984)
SWEET REVENGE (Boone, 1987)
ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (Garret, 1987)
FINDER OF LOST LOVES (Mark Stafford, 1985)
SUMMER FANTASY (Carlisle, 1984)
TERROR AMONG US (Delbert Ramsey, 1981)
SOAP (R.C., 1980)
KNOTS LANDING (Gary Ewing, 1979-93)
DALLAS (Gary Ewing, several episodes starting in 1979)
EBONY, IVORY AND JADE (Barnes, 1979)
THE ROCKFORD FILES (Eric Genther, 1979)
THE JORDAN CHANCE (Brian Klosky,1978)
WONDER WOMAN (Adam, 1978 and Pete, 1977)
THE DEFECTION OF SIMAS KUDIRKA (BLAIN, 1978)
BIG HAWAII (Moonstar, 1977)

Film Roles
Jane White Is Sick & Twisted (Eddie, 2002)
Panic (Captain O'Kelly, 2001)
Cruel Intentions 2 (First Chauffeur, 2000)

Memorable Quotes

"We think she made a bargain with the devil and there's an oil painting of her in an attic somewhere. That's the only way I can explain it."
— on the eternal youthfulness of former KL co-star Donna Mills (ex-Abby), Soap Opera Digest, 1/23/07

"Stupid people, who just can't put it together and be present. It makes me nuts."
— on his biggest pet peeve, Digest, 2/12/08

"I really like Jeff. I've been a professional actor for almost 36 years and this is the most fun I've had. Seriously."
— on playing his current Y&R character, Digest, 4/15/08

Ted Shackelford's Actor's Page>>>

RELATED RESOURCES