Shepard began his film acting career when cast in a major role as the doomed land baron in Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978), opposite Richard Gere and Brooke Adams. This led to other important film roles, including that of Cal, Ellen Burstyn's character's love interest in "Resurrection" (1980), and, most notably, Shepard's portrayal of Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff" (1983). The latter performance earned Shepard an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. By 1986, "Fool for Love" was adapted by Robert Altman with Shepard in the lead role; "A Lie of the Mind" was being performed Off-Broadway with an all-star cast (including Harvey Keitel and Geraldine Page); and Shepard was working steadily as a film actor. Together, these achievements put him on the cover of "Newsweek".