Karen Shepherd is a renowned American actress with a diverse range of credits in film, television, and theatre. Her passion for acting began in high school, where she actively participated in various plays, laying the foundation for her future success.
Notably, Shepherd is a World-Class #1 Champion Martial Artist, inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame alongside esteemed icons such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Chuck Norris.
As a Martial Arts Celebrity, Shepherd retired from competition in early 1981 to accept her first film-acting role in "Shinobi Ninja," becoming the first American female martial artist to star in an action film. This milestone marked the beginning of her transition from martial arts to acting.
Shepherd relocated to Hollywood, where she immersed herself in acting studies, honing her craft alongside luminary award-winners such as Angelina Jolie, Jack Palance, Joan Jett, Madonna, Camilla Sparv, Paul Williams, James Hong, Nancy Kwan, John Hawkes, Pamela Anderson, and many more.
Throughout her acting career, Shepherd has received rave reviews for her lead roles in Hollywood theatre productions, including Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke" and David Rabe's "In The Boom Boom Room."
Inspired by Bruce Lee, Shepherd set out to become the first "female Bruce Lee." Her dedication to martial arts led her to become a legendary figure, breaking barriers and achieving unprecedented success.
Shepherd made history by becoming the first female Champion to be rated #1 in the only ratings system at the time, "Karate Illustrated" magazine (1979 & 1980). In 1980, she made national news by becoming the first woman to win the "Grand Champion" title at the U.S. Open Karate Championships in St. Petersburg, FL, defeating the nation's top male and female competitors.
In 1979, at the request of "Karate Illustrated's" editor, Shepherd embarked on a campaign to establish official ratings for women, which led to a significant increase in the number of women training and competing in martial arts.
Shepherd's expertise as a fight-choreographer has been sought after for various film, television, and stage productions, including live-action projects at Disneyland, CA.
In her personal life, Shepherd has been happily married to the same man since 1993 and is an animal lover, with a history of rescuing cats and dogs. Despite her many accomplishments, Shepherd still pursues her passion for acting.
