Sam Shepard Arrested for DUI in Illinois

Shepard was leaving a local drinking establishment in Normal, IL and was headed home to his hotel when he was pulled over by Illinois police for driving 46 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. Shepard eventually consented to a blood-alcohol test and registered at .175, which is nearly twice the legal limit in Illinois. He was arrested and later released after posting $300 bond at the local jail.

It is believed that Shepard then continued home to Kentucky, to the house he shares with Jessica Lange. Shepard and Lange have been a happy couple since meeting on the set of a movie in 1983. They have two children together.

Shepard is probably best known for his portrayal of aviation legend Chuck Yeager in the 1983 film, The Right Stuff. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for his play, Buried Child, in 1979. Shepard is notorious for his fear of flying -and swore off the practice after a very bumpy ride in the late 1960s. He eventually let Chuck Yeager fly him in his jet as he prepared to play him in The Right Stuff.

Part of the Shepard legend is his stint as a drummer for the 1960s rock band, the Holy Modal Rounders, which appeared in the cult classic, Easy Rider.