Cybill Shepherd: Elvis Presley, Moonlighting Feud, and Current Life

Cybill Shepherd’s career has been defined by her relationships as much as her performances, but verified interviews reveal a more nuanced story. From dating Elvis Presley as a teenager to the legendary on-set tension with Bruce Willis on Moonlighting, this article separates fact from rumor.

Born: February 18, 1950 (age 75) ·
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA ·
Breakthrough role: Jacy Farrow in The Last Picture Show (1971) ·
Golden Globe Awards: 2 wins (Moonlighting, Cybill) ·
Net worth (estimated): $10 million ·
Notable film: Taxi Driver (1976)

Seven key facts about Cybill Shepherd's life and career, one pattern: her personal relationships have consistently generated as much public interest as her acting work.

Why didn't Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd get along?

The on-set tension between Shepherd and Bruce Willis during the run of Moonlighting (1985–1989) is one of television's most storied feuds. Us Weekly, a celebrity news outlet, reports that behind-the-scenes conflicts between the two leads were a consistent theme throughout the show's five-season run. The tension reportedly stemmed from creative differences and the high-pressure environment of producing a weekly hour-long drama-comedy hybrid.

Cybill Shepherd Details Ending Feud With 'Moonlighting' Costar Bruce Willis

• Shepherd publicly stated that she and Willis eventually reconciled, though she offered few specifics about the nature of their earlier disagreements.
• Willis became a major star after Moonlighting, which TV Insider (television news outlet) notes transformed him into a bankable film actor.
• Ratings for Moonlighting declined after its initial success, contributing to the show's conclusion in 1989.

The implication: the feud, while real, has been softened by time and mutual professional respect. Shepherd's willingness to revisit the subject suggests the emotional weight has diminished, even if the public remains fascinated by the dynamic.

Did Elvis Presley ever date Cybill Shepherd?

Yes — and Shepherd has been remarkably candid about the relationship. The romance occurred in the early 1970s, when Shepherd was a 19-year-old former model and Memphis native. CBS News (broadcast news division) quoted Shepherd saying Elvis Presley "really looked good" and "smelled good" — and that her response to him was to Elvis as a man, not specifically as Elvis Presley.

Cybill Shepherd Spills Details About Steamy Love Affair With Elvis Presley

• Shepherd has said Elvis Presley asked her out through a mutual acquaintance.
• She and Elvis met at a theater he rented out through midnight, according to Closer Weekly (celebrity magazine).
• In 2025 coverage, Shepherd described Elvis Presley as a "great guy" (Yahoo Entertainment).

Why did Elvis refuse to sleep with Priscilla?

Priscilla Presley discussed Elvis's reluctance to have sex with her in her memoirs, noting that Elvis held traditional views about intimacy. While not directly about Shepherd, Priscilla's account provides context: Elvis's relationship with Shepherd occurred after his marriage to Priscilla ended, and Shepherd's description of him as gentle and respectful aligns with the broader picture of his personal behavior.

Did Robert De Niro ask out Cybill Shepherd?

This claim is less well-sourced than the Elvis and Moonlighting narratives. An Amomama article, a content aggregation site, asserts that Shepherd disclosed in 2023 that Robert De Niro asked her out while they worked on Taxi Driver (1976). However, no widely corroborated source — from Shepherd herself in a major interview, or from De Niro's camp — confirms the incident.

During the peak of his fame, Robert De Niro was someone who reportedly asked Shepherd out

• Shepherd played a role in Taxi Driver, which is the context for the reported connection.
• Shepherd reportedly declined De Niro's advances, according to the same anecdotal claims.
• Major outlets like CBS News have not reported on this claim, signaling its low verification status.

The pattern: this is a classic Hollywood rumor — plausible given the proximity of co-stars on a high-profile film, but lacking the documentary trail that supports the Elvis and Willis stories. Readers should treat it as unconfirmed.

Why did Moonlighting end so abruptly?

Moonlighting ran from 1985 to 1989, ending after five seasons. Behind-the-scenes conflicts between Shepherd and Willis contributed to the show's challenging production environment. Ratings declined after its initial success — the show was a ratings hit in its first two seasons but slipped as viewer interest waned.

Moonlighting (TV series) background and cancellation

• The series was known for its rapid-fire dialogue and meta-humor, but production schedules were notoriously grueling.
• TV Insider, a television news outlet, notes that the show's creator Glenn Gordon Caron clashed with the network over creative direction.
• Shepherd has said she believes the show ended because it "ran its course" creatively.

What this means: the abruptness was less a single event and more a cumulative effect of cast tension, declining ratings, and network fatigue. The show's ending left a core fanbase wanting more, but it also solidified Shepherd and Willis as household names.

Who is Cybill Shepherd with now?

Shepherd has been married and divorced twice. She married David Ford in 1978, and they divorced in 1982. She later married Bruce Oppenheim in 1987, and they divorced in 1990. She has three children — including one with Oppenheim. Her current relationship status is private; she has not publicly disclosed a partner as of early 2026.

Current partner and family life

• Shepherd has spoken openly about focusing on her children and her career in recent years.
• She maintains an active presence on Instagram (her official account), where she shares music performances and personal reflections.

What is Cybill Shepherd doing now?

Shepherd continues to perform music live. In October 2025, she hosted "An Evening with Cybill Shepherd: Music, Conversation & Stories" in Los Angeles, an event covered by People, a celebrity news magazine. During the event, she revisited her relationship history and reflected on her friendships with Hollywood peers. She remains active on social media and periodically grants interviews.

Related reading

• Alain Delon: Biography, Love Life, Movies, and Legacy
• Henry Fonda Biography: Iconic Roles, Oscars, and Family

Timeline

• 1950: Born in Memphis, Tennessee (TV Insider)
• 1971: Film debut in The Last Picture Show (TV Insider)
• 1972–1973: Dated Elvis Presley (People)
• 1976: Starred in Taxi Driver (CBS News)
• 1985–1989: Starred in Moonlighting with Bruce Willis (Us Weekly)
• 1995–1998: Starred in sitcom Cybill (Us Weekly)
• 2025: Performs music; active on Instagram; hosts live event in Los Angeles (People)

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Cybill Shepherd was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 18, 1950.
• She dated Elvis Presley in the early 1970s.
• She starred in Moonlighting (1985–1989).

What's unclear

• Robert De Niro asking Shepherd out — based on anecdotal reports with low corroboration.
• Exact net worth is not publicly documented.
• She has three children (details not all verified).
• She participated in a live event in Los Angeles in October 2025.
• She has won two Golden Globe Awards (details vary by source).

Key quotes

"[Elvis] really looked good. And he smelled good."

— Cybill Shepherd, as quoted by CBS News

"My regret about Elvis is not that I was his lover — it's that I could not be his friend longer, because he died too soon."

— Cybill Shepherd, as quoted by CBS News

Shepherd said her response to Elvis was to him as a man, not specifically as Elvis Presley.

— CBS News reporting on Shepherd's account

Shepherd has been remarkably consistent in her reflections. Her willingness to revisit the past — whether with warmth for Presley or measured diplomacy about Willis — suggests a star who has made peace with her legacy.

Frequently asked questions

For the reader who arrived here wondering whether Cybill Shepherd's relationships are more legend than fact, the answer is layered: the Elvis story is well-documented, the Moonlighting feud is real but softened, and the De Niro rumor remains unverified. She is still performing — and still talking — which means her story continues to unfold.