Shaun Cassidy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Shaun Cassidy | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Shaun Paul Cassidy |
| Born | September 27, 1958 |
| Origin |  Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Pop/rock |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Voice type(s) | Light lyric tenor |
| Years active | 1976–1982 |
| Label(s) | Warner Bros. (USA) |
Shaun Cassidy is an American actor, singer, writer, and producer. He is the eldest son of Academy Award winning actress Shirley Jones, and the second son (his older half-brother is David Cassidy) of the late Tony award-winning actor Jack Cassidy.
Shaun grew up in Los Angeles and New York City. While still in high school, Shaun landed a recording contract with Warner Brothers, and began making records. A series of singles were released in several European countries, leading to his eponymous American debut album in 1977, which at the time became the biggest selling solo debut in history. The album netted Shaun a Grammy nomination and a number one single, “Da Doo Ron Ron.” Three follow up singles, “That’s Rock n’ Roll,” “Hey Deanie,” and “Do You Believe In Magic?” were all top ten hits as well. Almost concurrently, Shaun landed a starring roll on “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries” which ran for three seasons on ABC television. A number of successful albums and concert tours followed, culminating with a final album, “Wasp” (produced by Todd Rundgren) and series of sold out shows at some of the biggest venues in the country, including New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Forum. His final concert was at the Houston Astrodome in1980.
Through most of the 1980’s and early 90’s, Shaun focused on working as an actor in the theater. He appeared in a number of Broadway and West End productions including “Mass Appeal” with Milo O’Shea, “Bus Stop” with Jerry Hall (in London) and “Blood Brothers,” which ran for over a year on Broadway.
Having always been interested in writing and producing, and having written much of the material on his albums, Shaun gradually transitioned himself behind the scenes, where he has enjoyed his most successful career to date. Shaun is responsible for writing. producing, and creating some of the most critically acclaimed and ground breaking television shows of the last ten years including “American Gothic” (produced with Sam Raimi, and starring Gary Cole and Lucas Black) “Roar” (starring a then unknown Heath Ledger), “Cold Case,” “The Agency,” and “Invasion,” starring William Fichtner and Kari Matchett. During the recent Hollywood writer’s strike, Shaun wrote and directed three one act plays to raise money for the strike fund.
Shaun is married to producer Tracey Turner, and they have two sons, Caleb and Roan. Shaun has been married twice previously, and he is the proud stepfather of Jessica Wilson Cruz, and father of Caitlin, Jake, and Juliet Cassidy.
