Sam Shepard Arrested for DUI in Illinois

Sam Shepard DUI: Actor charged with drunk driving in Normal, Illinois Saturday January 3, 2009 around 2AM.

The actor, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning writer Sam Shepard was charged with driving under the influence in Central Illinois early Saturday. Shepard reportedly had been drinking at 'Fat Jacks', a bar in Bloomington, and was stopped around 2:00 am for speeding while on his way back to his hotel. The arresting officer said Shepard appeared intoxicated and had driven his Chevy Blazer onto the curb during the traffic stop. His blood alcohol content was more than twice the .08% legal limit for intoxication in Illinois. Shepard posted bond and was released Sunday.

Shepard, 65, was driving from Minnesota through Illinois on his was home to Kentucky. He appeared in the films 'Black Hawk Down', 'Swordfish', 'The Pelican Brief' and 'The Notebook'. He received a Pulitzer in 1979 for his play 'Buried Child'. Shepard lives with his longtime partner Jessica Lange, with whom he has two children.

Have been charged with drunk driving? You will need to hire a DUI lawyer to guide you through this difficult time in your life.