Sam Shepard: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, seasoned actor of stage and screen, and rock n’ roll jesus with a cowboy mouth. There’s no one quite like Sam—no one. And in the last forty years he has graced us with his unique and true American voice, creating brilliant plays and films that break out hearts and ignite the fire that lives inside of every man and every women. Needless to say, I love him dearly and in my mind, any day warrants a little Sam appreciation.

However, today we learned that he will now be replacing Chris Cooper in the Discovery Channel’s first ever scripted project, the miniseries Klondike. Naturally, Sam will be playing Father Judge, a man who "has come to town to atone for his violent past on a mission to save souls." Well, Sam you’ve already saved mine. And thankfully, this year we’ll see no shortage of him—first with Jeff Nichols’ upcoming Mud, then John Well’s August: Osage County, and Klondike. So, let’s take a look at Sam through the years, from his role in Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven, to his reading from recent years. Enjoy.

Sam as The Farmer in Days of Heaven

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Sam and Jessica Lange in Frances

Sam, 1971

Sam as Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff

Paris, Texas‘ "I Knew These People" Scene

Sam and Patti Smith Performing Their Play Cowboy Mouth

Sam Shepard on His Family Plays (Parts 2, 3)

Sam Shepard Talks Days of Heaven

Sam being Sam

The Moth and the World Science Festival present Sam Shepard

Sam Reads From Day Out of Days

More Sam and Patti Smith 

Sam Reads at Trinity College Dublin