This '70s Star Survived a Rare Form of Cancer & Left the Glamour of Hollywood — What Her Life Looks Like Now

She was once a sought-after model and actress, turning heads both on and off the screen. But after facing harsh industry backlash, a devastating health battle, and a major shift in her personal life, she quit acting. Now, far from Hollywood, her life looks nothing like it once did in the '70s.

Her face was once everywhere — on magazine covers, billboards, and movie screens — making her one of the most recognizable stars of the '70s. With a Golden Globe-winning career and a string of high-profile roles, she seemed destined for lasting fame.

But behind the glamour, she endured personal and professional struggles. After years of soaring highs and painful lows, she was forced to confront a reality she never expected. Once at the center of Hollywood's biggest productions, she eventually chose to leave it all behind.

A Small-Town Girl Becomes a Hollywood Star

Born on February 18, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, she grew up in a modest household with her homemaker mother and small business owner father. From an early age, she stood out — not just for her striking beauty, but for a confidence that set her apart.

As a teenager, she entered the world of modeling, winning the Miss Teenage Memphis contest in 1966 and Model of the Year in 1968. Her success quickly led to national recognition, landing her on magazine covers and in high-profile ad campaigns, including as a spokesperson for L'Oréal.

It wasn't long before Hollywood took notice. In 1971, acclaimed director Peter Bogdanovich spotted her on the cover of Glamour magazine and saw something beyond just a pretty face. Intrigued, he invited her to audition for his upcoming film, "The Last Picture Show."

Despite having no acting experience, she landed the role, and the movie became a critical and commercial success. Praised for its raw storytelling, the film won two Academy Awards and launched her into the spotlight as one of Hollywood's most promising new actresses.

Scandal and Career Setbacks

Her rise to fame wasn't without controversy. While filming "The Last Picture Show," she became romantically involved with director Bogdanovich, who was married at the time. Their highly publicized relationship quickly made headlines, and she was labeled a homewrecker by the press.

The scrutiny only intensified when Bogdanovich cast her in two follow-up films, "Daisy Miller" (1974) and "At Long Last Love" (1975). Both movies flopped at the box office, and critics were especially harsh toward her performances.

One review mocked that she had "all the charm of a hamster," and another film critic held up a sign that simply read "Bomb." "One critic said, 'Cybill Shepherd can't walk or talk, much less sing,'" she later recalled of the harsh reception she received from some in the industry.

While their relationship lasted for eight years, they eventually split up over different life goals. "He already had two kids with Polly Platt and didn't want any more. I really wanted to have children," she later explained. Following the breakup, she moved on, marrying and starting a family of her own.

With her reputation in decline, Hollywood largely turned its back on her. Leading roles became scarce, and she was forced to take whatever jobs she could find. At one point, after stepping away from acting to have her first child, she attempted a comeback but was met with skepticism.

When she called her former agent, she was bluntly told, "You might as well be dead." Determined to prove herself, she took guest roles, including a part on "Fantasy Island," but the road back to success would not be easy.

A Hollywood Comeback: 'Moonlighting' and 'Cybill'

Just when it seemed like her Hollywood career was fading, she made an unexpected comeback. In 1985, she landed the role of Maddie Hayes in the hit TV series "Moonlighting," opposite a then-unknown Bruce Willis.

The show, a mix of comedy, romance, and detective drama, became a cultural phenomenon, and audiences loved the electric chemistry between its two leads. The role earned her two Golden Globe Awards and reestablished her as a major star.

However, tensions behind the scenes were just as intense as they were on screen. She and Willis reportedly clashed, and as the show progressed, production issues and off-screen drama led to its cancellation in 1989.

Determined to keep her momentum going, she took on another leading role in "Cybill" (1995), a sitcom loosely based on her own life as an actress navigating Hollywood. The show was a success, earning her a third Golden Globe and critical acclaim for its sharp humor and feminist themes.

But once again, her time at the top didn't last. "Cybill" was unexpectedly canceled in 1998, and while she continued to work in television and film, she never regained the same level of fame.

"One of the things that really changed for me in my life is that I've learned how to be a guest star," she later reflected on her evolving career. As the industry evolved, she found herself taking on more supporting roles and guest appearances rather than leading parts.

A Life-Changing Health Battle

Just as she was adjusting to life beyond leading roles, she faced an even greater challenge — one that had nothing to do with Hollywood. She was diagnosed with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, a rare form of skin cancer that she had unknowingly been living with since birth.

The cancerous growth was located on the back of her neck, and while it wasn't the most aggressive form of the disease, it required immediate surgery to prevent further complications. The diagnosis was a turning point. "It changes your life totally," she said.

"When Cybill was first told she had melanoma, she was hysterical," a source revealed. "All she could think of was that she was going to suffer a horrible, painful death and her children would lose their mother."

She underwent surgery to remove the growth, which left a noticeable scar, and the experience forced her to rethink her health and lifestyle. Her mother confirmed that skin cancer ran in their family, revealing that her daughter's years of sun exposure had only increased the risk.

From that point on, she became extremely cautious, always covering herself when outside and taking extra precautions to protect her skin. Though she would go on to be declared cancer-free, the battle left a lasting impact, shifting her priorities away from Hollywood and toward a more personal, private life.

But her health struggles didn't end there. In 2004, she suffered another life-threatening medical emergency, one that nearly took her life. "Three years ago, I almost died. It was a 911 situation. I had to have my colon resectioned," she revealed in a 2007 interview.

The pain was so severe that she couldn't stand, forcing her to crawl down the stairs before paramedics arrived. Despite these setbacks, she remained resilient.

When asked how she managed to keep moving forward, she said, "Actually, I never went away. There are people in this business who thought they'd never see me again, but I've been around for a long time."

Stepping Away from Hollywood and Finding Faith Again

By the early 2000s, Cybill Shepherd was no longer the Hollywood A-lister she once had been. While she continued to take on acting roles, including guest appearances on television, she gradually stepped away from the high-profile spotlight.

She had already made the choice to raise her three children in the San Fernando Valley, preferring a more grounded environment away from the industry's pressures. Over time, she downsized from her large estate, opting for a more practical and peaceful lifestyle.

Looking back, she admitted she'd changed. "I stopped saying so much what I think," she once said. "Early on, I was a real—can I say [it]?—smartass." Her rebellious streak had been a defining trait since childhood.

"I had to repeat gym because I was so—I was rebellious," she recalled. "I was a rebel girl. I was a bad girl for a long time. I'm a good girl now, though!" In 2015, Shepherd was cast in the Christian film "Do You Believe?" This role marked a significant turning point in her personal life, as she publicly revealed her return to faith.

At a cast panel for the film, Shepherd opened up about her spiritual journey, explaining how Christianity had been a cornerstone during her childhood. "I was born a Christian, [and] sang in the choir. Then I lost touch with my savior Jesus Christ," she told the audience.

Shepherd mentioned that she had stopped talking to Jesus and praying, but when she began to reconnect with Him, she started to feel "really good." The actress then received the offer to do the film.

Shepherd hinted that her reconnection with faith and the opportunity to star in the movie was more than mere coincidence, suggesting a divine influence on her renewed spiritual path. Shepherd's return to faith also coincided with a period of personal reflection and change.

Shepherd even suggested that the opportunity to star in the film was no coincidence, seeing it as part of her spiritual path.

Her Life Now: Becoming a Grandmother and Enjoying Family Life

Amid her shift away from Hollywood, another life-changing event brought her even more fulfillment — becoming a grandmother. In 2014, her daughter, Clementine Ford, welcomed a baby boy named Elijah, making her a grandmother for the first time at 64.

Over the years, Shepherd has embraced her role as a grandmother, spending time with her growing family and cherishing quieter moments away from the spotlight. Photos shared on social media offer glimpses of her joyful family life, showing her with her grandchildren in everyday, heartwarming settings.

While she once lived for the cameras of Hollywood, Shepherd's greatest joy now comes from the love and connection she shares with those closest to her. Though she no longer actively pursues major Hollywood roles, she hasn't completely stepped away from performing.

In recent years, she has occasionally taken on acting projects, with her most recent screen appearance in the 2023 TV movie "How to Murder Your Husband." While Shepherd no longer seeks the limelight, she has continued to nurture her lifelong passion for music.

She occasionally performs at intimate venues, not for critical acclaim, but as a way to connect with longtime fans and express Shepherd's love for singing — a passion that predates her acting career. These days, she lives a much quieter life, far removed from the fast-paced world of Hollywood.

With her children, Clementine, and twins Ariel and Zach grown and a new generation in her family, she prioritizes personal fulfillment over fame. Reflecting on her decades in the industry, Shepherd has acknowledged both the highs and the struggles, but she no longer needs the validation of Hollywood.

Instead, she has embraced a life of simplicity, faith, and family, proving that reinvention isn’t just for the screen—it’s something she’s mastered in real life, too.