Born Richard Allen Silberman in 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri, he attended Stanford University and studied journalism.
After graduating, he worked for talent agent Lew Wasserman at MCA, selling syndicated TV shows.
[1] During his employment with MCA, Shepherd enlisted in the United States Army, writing stories for the Stars and Stripes newspaper in post-World War II Germany.
[3] They signed a six-picture deal with Paramount Pictures where they made films including an adaptation of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
[3] When Paramount Pictures wanted to replace the signature song "Moon River," both Shepherd and Jurow exclaimed "Over our dead bodies!"