by Jacqueline D. Moore
Senior Managing Editor
Born in Chicago and a relative of legendary singer Sam Cooke, Stan Shaw went from martial arts instructor to a local Broadway production of "Hair" and then on to Broadway where he also starred in "Hair,” “The Me Nobody Knows” and “Via Galactica” directed by Sir Peter Hall Of the London National Theatre. Since those ventures into acting, Stan Shaw has starred in over 70 different feature film and TV productions.
Some of his most memorable roles include "Big George" in the Academy Award nominated film Fried Green Tomatoes, "Will Palmer" (Alex Hailey's grandfather) in the Emmy winning show Roots: The Next Generation, "Jack Jenkins" in Harlem Nights.” just to name a few.
Mr. Shaw has just completed the filming his latest starring roles in Sidney J Furie's latest feature film "Drive Me To Vegas” and “Mars.” Both are scheduled for a 2016 release.
Stan Shaw's TV credits includes the part of lawyer "Lafayette
Tate" on the series The Mississippi and starring roles in the mini series Heaven & Hell: North and South Book III, The Moneychangers, and When Dreams Come True. He has also had guest-starring roles on such series as Murder She Wrote, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Wiseguy, and The X Files.
Stan Shaw’s impressive legacy of acting has made him a pioneer for African American actors. He was the first actor to win the NAACP Image Award in the category of BEST ACTOR in a stage play for his outstanding work in the Pulitzer Prize winning play “Home.” In 2007, he returned home to Chicago to be awarded the "African American History Makers Award" by the DuSable Museum, America's foremost museum of
African American history.
To his body of work, Stan Shaw has recently developed his talent as a writer. He has written a series of children stories that deal directly with many difficult issues kids face today. His story “Waiting for Dad” was given a CYKE Book Award for its realistic portrayal of the pain a child feels after divorce.
Stan Shaw
Producer/Actor/Writer
"...a resurrection of spirit and of knowledge that which we have been talking about. There are so many things that have been laid dormant and the conscientiousness of people, whether they're family or just us as a people. I think the time of resurrection when it upon us in the traditional biblical sense is a time for teaching and learning about the resurrection that lays dormant in us as a people. And awakening that in you which allows you to strive farther than the person that was here before you."
~Stan Shaw
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