It’s not every day that fans get to see one of television’s most unforgettable faces out and about, but Los Angeles was treated to just that on Friday.
Cybill Shepherd, the glamorous star who helped define 1980s television, stepped out for a special night — the opening of the stage production Heartbreak Kid.
At 75, the former model and award-winning actress looked relaxed and content, flashing a smile as she arrived.
Her casual yet colorful outfit — a bright floral top paired with easygoing jeans — gave off an approachable charm, worlds away from the chic, tailored looks she was once known for on screen.
From Taxi Driver to Moonlighting Glory
Shepherd’s style evolution is as fascinating as her career.
Back in 1976, she mesmerized audiences as the object of Robert De Niro’s obsession in Taxi Driver, embodying that breezy boho vibe.
Fast-forward to the ’80s, and she was dazzling as Madelyn Hayes in the hit detective-comedy Moonlighting (1985–1989), opposite a then-up-and-coming Bruce Willis.
While the on-screen chemistry between the two was undeniable, Shepherd has admitted that behind the scenes, things could get tense.
In a 2005 interview, she didn’t hold back: “At one point, it had gotten to where we just hated each other.
It was a very volatile show anyway, but that’s also what made it great.”
A Career That Keeps Evolving
Shepherd hasn’t slowed down when it comes to taking on interesting roles.
In 2023, she played real-life author Nancy Crampton-Brophy in the TV movie How to Murder Your Husband, a project written and directed by Stephen Tolkin.
The cast included Steve Guttenberg, Sandy Minh Abley, and Primo Allon.
Her television legacy is stacked with accolades — two Golden Globes for her work on Moonlighting (1986 and 1987), another nomination in 1988, plus an Emmy nod that same year.
Later, she starred in the CBS sitcom Cybill (1995–1998), earning three more Emmy nominations and another Golden Globe win in 1996.
Remembering Her Time With Bruce Willis
While Bruce Willis, now 69, has been in the headlines due to his battle with frontotemporal dementia, Shepherd has spoken with genuine affection about her former co-star.
In 2022, after Willis’s family announced his retirement from acting, she paid tribute to him at the Race to Erase MS benefit gala in Los Angeles.
“I will always love Bruce,” she told Extra, recalling how his magnetic presence won him the Moonlighting role instantly.
“No one else was ever considered for the part when he walked in the room.”
From there, Willis launched into a blockbuster film career with hits like Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, and The Sixth Sense.
And while their working relationship had its share of drama, it’s clear the bond — and respect — between the two has stood the test of time.