Legendary actress Cybill Shepherd recently captivated fans with a two-night show, offering a remarkably candid retrospective on her life and loves in Hollywood. From intimate details about her romance with Elvis Presley to humorous anecdotes with Christine Baranski and reflections on mending ties with Bruce Willis, Shepherd’s openness provides a rich, fan-centric look into the personal side of a star who defined an era.
At 75, Cybill Shepherd remains as captivating and forthright as ever, a quality that endeared her to audiences during her breakthrough roles in the 1970s films The Last Picture Show and The Heartbreak Kid. Her recent “An Evening with Cybill Shepherd: Music, Conversation & Stories” at the Catalina Jazz Club on October 17 and 18, 2025, proved to be an unforgettable journey through her illustrious career and personal life, revealing previously unheard insights into her relationships with some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
The King’s Chemistry: Cybill Shepherd on Elvis Presley
One of the most anticipated revelations centered around her whirlwind romance with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Shepherd, who was just 22 when she met the 42-year-old music icon, spoke openly about their undeniable chemistry.
She recalled her initial hesitation when Elvis first sought to meet her, insisting he call her personally. Once they connected, she admitted, “at the time I thought he was too old for me – the Beatles were my music – but there was this chemistry between us.” Her vivid memory included his unique scent: “he smelled soapy, and sweet, like sugar and sweat. I felt a lot for him.”
During her recent show, Shepherd introduced a song she co-wrote titled “Graceland (Revisited),” further demonstrating Elvis’s lasting impact on her. She described him as a “great guy” but also noted he was “just a little bit too close to God or somebody,” ultimately concluding, “Elvis was really cool though,” as reported by People.
Perhaps the most candid detail about their relationship came from her autobiography, Cybill Disobedience. In a chapter controversially titled “White boys don’t eat . . .”, Shepherd revealed she had to teach Elvis “one thing” in the bedroom—how to perform oral sex. She stated, “There are worse things to teach a man to do!” Their romance was short-lived, with Shepherd citing Presley’s prescription drug dependency as the reason for their split, a detail first brought to wider attention in a Daily Express article.
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Cybill Shepherd in 1973; Elvis Presley in 1972
Mending Fences: Bruce Willis and Christine Baranski
Shepherd also spoke about reconciling with her former co-stars, a topic that has long fascinated fans. She expressed gratitude for having mended her relationship with Moonlighting co-star Bruce Willis, 70, before his public aphasia diagnosis. “Yes, I’m very grateful for that,” she told People, acknowledging, “it was time.” Their professional partnership on the popular 80s series was iconic, and knowing they resolved past issues adds a touching layer to their shared history.
Similarly, Shepherd confirmed that she and Christine Baranski, 73, her co-star from the 1990s sitcom Cybill, have also “mended fences.” She recounted a memorable night where they bonded over sake at a Japanese restaurant. “I was dancing on the bar because in a Japanese restaurant I climbed on top of the bar singing ‘That’s Life’ with some sake in my hand. Christine yelled out ‘sake, sake, sake’ to remind me not to drop it,” Shepherd reminisced. “She was great. We were great together.” This anecdote highlights the deep, if sometimes tumultuous, bonds forged during their time together on screen.
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Cybill Shepherd and Christine Baranski for ‘Cybill’ (1995)
Behind the Camera with Don Johnson
Shepherd also offered a playful glimpse into her romance with Don Johnson, 75, on the set of their 1985 film, The Long Hot Summer. While they didn’t share many on-screen scenes, she confessed, “No, we didn’t do scenes in front of the camera, we messed around behind the camera.” Her candor about these off-screen dynamics paints a richer picture of the bustling, often romantic, atmosphere of a film set.
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Don Johnson, Jason Robards and Cybill Shepherd in ‘The Long Hot Summer’ (1985)
Orson Welles: A Lasting Mentor
Beyond her romantic entanglements, Shepherd paid tribute to her “mentor,” the legendary actor, writer, director, and producer Orson Welles. She revealed a unique living arrangement, sharing, “He came to live with [director] Peter Bogdanovich and I.” She credits Welles for helping her stay grounded and focused: “Orson and I got very close and he was a great influence in my life and helped me stay focused on what was important. Keep my focus on that and just keep moving. So that was good.” His guidance clearly had a profound and lasting impact on her career and personal philosophy.
A Legacy of Unapologetic Candor
Cybill Shepherd’s “An Evening with Cybill Shepherd” was more than just a performance; it was a testament to her enduring spirit and a reminder of her unapologetic candor. For fans of classic films and Hollywood history, her willingness to share such personal stories offers invaluable insight into the lives of the stars who shaped cinema. Her reflections provide a bridge between the glittering public persona and the deeply human experiences behind the scenes, solidifying her place not just as an icon, but as a relatable voice in an ever-changing industry.
