Sheplives


Last Record Update: 07-13-2025
General Information Interesting Info

Brown, Leigh

Shep's Producer / Wife

Born: Nancy Jane Prescott Leigh Brown was an unseen force behind Shep. According to letters to her friend, Shep asked her to come work for him around Jan 1962. (See Gene Bergmann's notes below) It seems she replaced Janis Call who was Shep's 'girl Friday' at the time. She was the producer for his nightly radio show on WOR in New York. He dictated his books and manuscripts to her. They were constant companions and on March 2, 1977 were married until Leigh's death in on July 16,1998. She was an author in her own right writing "The Show Gypsies" which was published in 1975. Note: According to the Florida Death Certificate, Leigh's first name was listed as Nancy, her middle name as Leigh, and her last name as Shepherd. Her parents are listed as Edward V. Prescott and Dorothy Mears. She was born in Newark, NJ, on May 1, 1939. She had a sister, Dorothy Clare Prescott. She attended Clifton High School ans Shep made mention of it at an appearance there around 1971. It was Leigh's influence and her experiences in high school that led to Shep's occassional references to Saul Kay, the director of the Clifton high school marching band. She was married to Robert Siroka, Clifton H.S. class of 1955, from January 4, 1958 - 1964. They had a son, Matthew and a daughter, Elizabeth, born August 25, 1958, who also attended Clifton High in 1971. Elizabeth passed away 9-24-2010 survived by her son, William Cartaina and her brother, Matthew. When Shep passed away in 1999, his will included a bequest on behalf of Leigh "to the University of Pennsylvania to establish a scholarship fund for girls only at the Veterinary School in the name of Leigh Brown Shepherd." (See pic) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shep "interviews" Leigh There was a special on WNET channel 13 New York sometime in '68-'69. It was called "The Three Worlds of Jean Shepherd". The show was 30 minutes long and there were three ten minute segments covering radio, live performances (Limelight Shows), and writing books. It was narrated by "John" (Gambling?) who also interviews Shep for each segment. In the last segment interview about writing, Shep tells John about how he writes late at night after the radio show and uses Leigh as a sounding board. Shep then turns to Leigh and 'interviews' her about how it is working with him. (See link to audio file.)

Fan Comments

[ Courtesy: Randall Shepherd - 12-24-2006 ]
           
Memories, Family Photos

Fan Comments

[ Courtesy: Gene Bergmann - 12-24-2006 ]
           
"Excelsior, You Fathead"
Contributed photo of Shep signing his copy of I, Libertine - April 1957.

Related Plots / Story Lines and Other References Used

Time	Category	Date	Title	Comments
•	General Topics	1975	The Show Gypsies

Associated Documents

Type	File Name	Description
• mp3	022_leigh.mp3	Shep interviews Leigh - (MP3 Audio File)

Where Shep Makes Reference To This Subject:

Time	Date	Category	Title
• 23:47	October 16, 1969	Radio	Da Mets - World Champs?!?
•	October 23, 1969	Radio	Da Mets - World Champs?!?

Links to Further Information:

• Show Gypsies

Photos:

Girl being sketched by Shep - Jean Shepherd's America - New Orleans

Phantom of the Open Hearth - "Lovely Arlita"

Shep and Leigh Civil War Era Clothes from Leigh's mother

Courtesy: Randall Shepherd

Autograph - Courtesy Pete Delaney

Courtesy: Pete Delaney

Elizabeth Siroka - Leigh Brown's Daughter by 1st marriage

Courtesy: Jim Yellen

1955
Robert Siroka - Leigh's 1st husband - Clifton H.S. yearbook

Courtesy: Jim Yellen

1957
Nancy Prescott (Leigh Brown) H.S. Photo

Courtesy: Jim Yellen

July 24, 1998
Fort Myers News-Press obituary

Courtesy: Steve Glazer

2001
Bequest made by Shep on behalf of Leigh

Courtesy: Steve Glazer

"Can you imagine 4,000 years passing, and you're not even a memory?
Think about it, friends. It's not just a possibility. It is a certainty." - Jean Shepherd - 1975