- Born
- Height5′ 3″ (1.60 m)
- Karen Sheperd is an American actress with numerous credits in film, television and theatre. Her fascination with acting began in high school where she appeared on stage in various plays. Sheperd Is also a World-Class #1 Champion Martial Artist and is in the Black Belt Hall of Fame, alongside icons such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Chuck Norris.
Sheperd's Martial Arts Celebrity status springboard her into Hollywood and acting studies. Throughout her acting career, Karen Sheperd has starred and co-starred with luminary award-winners such as Angelina Jolie, Jack Palance, Juan Jett, Madonna, Camilla Sparv, Paul Williams, James Hong, Nancy Kwan, John Hawkes, Pamela Anderson and more.
Karen received rave reviews for her lead theatre roles in Hollywood theatre productions such as "Summer and Smoke" by Tennessee Williams and "In The Boom Boom Room" by David Rabe.
Inspired by Bruce Lee, Karen Sheperd set out to become the first "female Bruce Lee." Sheperd dove into Martial Arts and ultimately became legendary. A trailblazing pioneer, Karen broke barriers and became the first female Champion to be rated #1 in the only ratings system at the time, "Karate Illustrated" magazine (1979 & 1980.) In 1979, at the request of "Karate Illustrated's" editor (Renardo Barden,) Sheperd embarked on what would be an historical and successful campaign to establish official ratings for women when none existed so that more women would compete. The number of women training and competing in 1979 was 10% (Black Belt Magazine). During Karens #1 reign and after, she witnessed the numbers rise to 50% because of her campaign. Inside Kung Fu's" "Star" ratings for women began in 1980, Karen garnering that #1 title as well.
Karen Sheperd was one of the first women to appear on the covers of major Martial Arts magazines such as "Black Belt", "Inside Karate", "KICK", and many more.
Besides acting, Karen has lent her expertise as a fight-choreographer to various film, television and stage productions, including live-action projects at Disneyland, CA.
Karen has been happily married to the same man since 1993, loves animals, has always had numerous rescue cats and dogs, actively serves her church community and still pursues acting.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Essy Media
- In 1979 and 1980, was the #1 Women's World Black Belt Champion in Forms & Weapons. Was the first woman to ever officially hold that title. Is a Professor, 8th Degree Black Belt in the Martial Art of Wun Hop Kuen Do, Kung Fu. Competed in gymnastics as a youth.
- First woman to win the title of Grand Champion at the prestigious U.S. Open Karate Championship, a win so unprecedented that it was featured on the National nightly television news.
- Inducted into the Blackbelt Hall of Fame, Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame, Martial Arts History Museum's Martial Arts Hall of Fame, U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Fame, Munich Hall of Honours, Black Belt International Hall of Fame U.K.
- Voted the most popular female martial artist by readers of Kung Fu Magazine.
- In Cyborg 2 (1993), the role of "Chen" was originally written for a man. Karen's manager was successful in getting the producer to allow Karen the opportunity to audition for the role, which she won in the third round of callbacks.
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