Jean Shepherd

Writing

Jean Shepherd

Born — Died

1921-07-26 — 1999-10-16

Place of birth

South Side, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Known for

Writing

Credits

23 titles

Raised in Hammond, Indiana, Jean Shepherd went on to work in the steel mills and was a veteran of the Army Signal Corps before entering the arts. In the 1950s, he began a long career as a radio personality telling stories of his youth, commenting on current topics and performing silly songs.

Known for

American Playhouse poster
6.6

American Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.

American Playhouse

1982

A Christmas Story poster
7.2

The comic mishaps and adventures of a young boy named Ralph, trying to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for the 1940s.

A Christmas Story

1983

It Runs in the Family poster
5.4

It is now summer in the Parker family; and the usual amount of numerous events are happening in their separate lives. Ralphie is searching for the perfect top to use to beat the school bully with, the Old Man is in battle with their hillbilly neighbors, the Bumpus, while eagerly awaiting the discovery of the perfect fishing spot, and the Mother is attempting to collect all of the pieces of a glass china set at a local movie theater.

It Runs in the Family

1994

Shadows poster
6.9

The relationship between Lelia, a light-skinned black woman, and Tony, a white man is put in jeopardy when Tony meets Lelia’s darker-skinned jazz singer brother, Hugh, and discovers that her racial heritage is not what he thought it was.

Shadows

1960

Babe Ruth poster
6.9

As its title implies, this video attempts to go beyond the public persona of one of major league baseball's greatest stars. Accepting Ruth as a larger-than-life figure, this 59-minute video doesn't attempt to rationalize, apologize, or analyze his behavior. Rather, it endeavors to present an unbiased account of the life of George Herman Ruth, contradictions and all.

Babe Ruth

1998

Jean Shepherd's America poster
9.0

In these humorous and affectionate television poems, humorist Jean Shepherd celebrates America in all its richness and diversity -- from cars to candy, baseball to beer, motels to money. Each week a different aspect of our national psyche is explored as Shepherd travels to the Okefenokee Swamp, Death Valley, Milwaukee, the Old South, and other far-flung locations -- using the PCP-90 portable camera.

Jean Shepherd's America

1971

Film credits

1990s · 2 titles

1980s · 5 titles

1970s · 3 titles

1960s · 3 titles

Series credits

Behind the camera

A Christmas Story poster
7.2

The comic mishaps and adventures of a young boy named Ralph, trying to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for the 1940s.

A Christmas Story

1983

It Runs in the Family poster
5.4

It is now summer in the Parker family; and the usual amount of numerous events are happening in their separate lives. Ralphie is searching for the perfect top to use to beat the school bully with, the Old Man is in battle with their hillbilly neighbors, the Bumpus, while eagerly awaiting the discovery of the perfect fishing spot, and the Mother is attempting to collect all of the pieces of a glass china set at a local movie theater.

It Runs in the Family

1994

The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters poster
6.8

An adult Ralphie Parker narrates several humorous stories about his teen years in an Indiana steel town.

The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters

1982

The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski (a Tale of Gothic Love) poster
7.0

A comedy written and Narrated by Jean Shepherd. The story involves several different events such as Ralph's first serious romance with his new neighbor, Randy playing a turkey in the school Thanksgiving Day play, The Old Man setting his sights on a yellow buick and the High School basketball rival game of the season.

The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski (a Tale of Gothic Love)

1985

Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss poster
7.4

From Jean Shepherd (A Christmas Story) comes the story of 14 year old Ralphie's first job, and the family vacation the family is planning to a rustic fishing cabin on Lake Michigan. Originally made for the Disney Channel, this film is a delightful family comedy.

Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss

1988

The Phantom of the Open Hearth poster
6.8

This comedy/drama was written by Jean Shepherd, who appears at the beginning and the end and narrates it through voiceover. It tells the story of several events as they occur through the eyes of Ralph, a high-school-aged boy. Ralph is anticipating the upcoming prom and is working up the courage to invite Daphne Bigelow, a beautiful and popular student who does not seem aware of his existence.

The Phantom of the Open Hearth

1976