Los Angeles – Long‑time television star Ted Shackelford, now 80, was seen enjoying a rare public appearance in the city. In a series of photos released to the press, the actor was dressed in a blue collared shirt layered under a matching knit cardigan, paired with black trousers, sunglasses and casual sneakers.
Career highlights
Shackelford first gained national attention as Raymond Gordon on the soap opera Another World, appearing in 110 episodes before moving on to the primetime drama Dallas. He portrayed Gary Ewing, the black‑sheep member of the Ewing family, from 1979 until the series ended in 1993. The role later carried over to the spin‑off Knots Landing, where he remained a fixture for more than a decade.
Despite the longevity of the character, Shackelford told The Dallas Decoder in 2013 that he never felt a strong connection to Gary Ewing. He described the role as “weak” and said, “I thought he never thought anything through. I didn’t see any strength of character. I mean, just once I wanted him to have some courage. And I never saw that.”
Later work
After Knots Landing concluded, Shackelford continued to work steadily in television. He made guest appearances on shows such as Cybill and Spin City, and returned to daytime drama by playing Jeffery and William Bardwell on The Young and the Restless from 2006 to 2015. His most recent credited role was a 2017 appearance on the popular procedural NCIS.
In addition to his on‑screen work, Shackelford participated in the 2005 “Knots Landing” reunion, which brought together cast members Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Donna Mills, William Devane and others to reminisce about the series. He also reprised his role as Gary Ewing in the 2013 reboot of Dallas, introducing the character to a new generation of viewers.
Personal reflections
When Entertainment Tonight interviewed co‑star Donna Mills about their on‑screen chemistry, Mills recalled their scenes as “steamy” and praised Shackelford’s professionalism, saying, “I mean, look at Ted. He’s such a sweetheart. It was fun. I can’t deny it. It was fun.”
While the actor’s public appearances have become increasingly rare, the recent Los Angeles sighting offers fans a glimpse of the veteran performer still enjoying life beyond the studio. As he walks the streets of a city known for its entertainment heritage, Shackelford’s presence serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of classic television dramas that shaped a generation of viewers.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
