Sam Shepard, star of Bloodline and Black Hawk Down, has died aged 73

Actor, director and playwright Sam Shepard has died, aged 73.

According to Broadway World, Shepard passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones. He has suffered with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but it is unknown if this had any direct role in his death. Shepard had a long, eclectic acting career in Hollywood, staring in classics such as The Right Stuff, Black Hawk Down, Paris Texas, Steel Magnolias and The Notebook. More recently, he had appeared in Netflix's crime show Bloodline, and had become a staple in modern thrillers such as Midnight Special, Cold In July, Killing Them Softly and Out Of The Furnace. Shepard was also considered to be one of the greatest American playwrights  of his generation, having won numerous high-profile awards for his plays through the years.