Shaun Cassidy
Encyclopedia
Shaun Paul 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 Tony award-winning actor Jack Cassidy
. He is known for acting in TV series The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
and Breaking Away, and for producing television series including American Gothic
, Roar
(with Heath Ledger
in his American debut), and Invasion
.
and began recording music. A series of singles were released in several European countries, leading to his eponymous American debut album in 1977. The album netted Cassidy a Grammy nomination (for Best New Artist) and a number one single, "Da Doo Ron Ron
". Two follow-up singles, "That's Rock 'n' Roll" and "Hey Deanie
", both written by Eric Carmen
, were also top ten hits. Almost concurrently, Shaun landed a starring role 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 in a final solo album, Wasp
. Produced by Todd Rundgren
and featuring Utopia as backing band, the LP featured an eclectic set of cover versions including David Bowie
's "Rebel, Rebel", Talking Heads
' "The Book I Read", The Who
's "So Sad About Us
" and a radical re-working of The Animals
' "It's My Life
". The album was promoted with a 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.
Cassidy concentrated on stage acting for most of the 1980s and early 1990s. He appeared in Broadway and West End productions such as Mass Appeal
, Bus Stop (in London) and Blood Brothers with half-brother David for over a year on Broadway. From the late 1990s, he concentrated on television production with credits such as American Gothic
(with Sam Raimi
), Roar
, Cold Case, The Agency, Invasion
and Ruby & The Rockits.
and New York City
in an Irish-American family. In addition to an elder half-brother, David Cassidy
, he has two younger brothers: Patrick
and Ryan Cassidy.
Cassidy has been married three times:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, singer, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
. He is the eldest son of Academy Award winning actress Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones
Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man...
, and the second son (his older half-brother is David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
) of Tony award-winning actor Jack Cassidy
Jack Cassidy
John Joseph Edward “Jack” Cassidy was an American actor of stage, film and screen.His frequent professional persona was that of an urbane, super-confident egotist with a dramatic flair, much in the manner of Broadway actor Frank Fay...
. He is known for acting in TV series The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries is a television series which aired for three seasons on ABC...
and Breaking Away, and for producing television series including American Gothic
American Gothic (TV series)
American Gothic is an American horror series created by Shaun Cassidy and executive produced by Sam Raimi. The show first aired on CBS on September 22, 1995, and was cancelled after a single season on July 11, 1996.-Plot:...
, Roar
Roar (TV series)
Roar is an American television show that originally aired on the Fox network in the summer of 1997. In the year AD 400, a young Irish man, Conor , sets out to rid his land of the invading Romans, but in order to accomplish this, he must unite the Celtic clans.-Premise:Roar chronicles the...
(with Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
in his American debut), and Invasion
Invasion (TV series)
Invasion is an American science fiction television series that aired on ABC for only one season beginning in September 2005. Somewhat similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the show told the story of the aftermath of a hurricane in which water-based creatures infiltrate a small Florida town and...
.
Career
While still in high school, Cassidy signed a contract with Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
and began recording music. A series of singles were released in several European countries, leading to his eponymous American debut album in 1977. The album netted Cassidy a Grammy nomination (for Best New Artist) and a number one single, "Da Doo Ron Ron
Da Doo Ron Ron
"Da Doo Ron Ron" is a 1963 hit single by The Crystals, produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector. The drummer was Hal Blaine....
". Two follow-up singles, "That's Rock 'n' Roll" and "Hey Deanie
Hey Deanie
"Hey Deanie" is a popular song by Shaun Cassidy that was released the last week of November, 1977 from his album, Born Late. It was his third and final top 10 hit, peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, spending four months on the chart from late 1977 to early 1978...
", both written by Eric Carmen
Eric Carmen
Eric Howard Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.He scored numerous hit songs across the 1970s and 1980s, first as a member of the Raspberries , and then with his solo career, including hits such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", "She Did It",...
, were also top ten hits. Almost concurrently, Shaun landed a starring role on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries is a television series which aired for three seasons on ABC...
which ran for three seasons on ABC television. A number of successful albums and concert tours followed, culminating in a final solo album, Wasp
Wasp (album)
Wasp was the fifth and final studio album released by teen-idol, Shaun Cassidy in 1980. In an attempt to salvage a sinking pop career, Cassidy recruited Todd Rundgren to help "reinvent" his music career. Members of Rundgren's group Utopia also played on the record and the work had a decidedly "new...
. Produced by Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
and featuring Utopia as backing band, the LP featured an eclectic set of cover versions including David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's "Rebel, Rebel", Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
' "The Book I Read", The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
's "So Sad About Us
So Sad About Us
"So Sad About Us" is a 1966 song by British rock band The Who, first released on the band's second album A Quick One. Originally written for The Merseys, "So Sad About Us" has likely been covered more frequently than any other song on the album; according to the All Music Guide, it is "one of the...
" and a radical re-working of The Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
' "It's My Life
It's My Life (The Animals song)
"It's My Life" is a song written by Brill Building songwriters Roger Atkins and Carl D'Errico. The song was originally performed by British rock band the Animals, who released it as a single in October 1965 and was one of three songs that the Animals recorded by Brill Building songwriters.The song...
". The album was promoted with a 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.
Cassidy concentrated on stage acting for most of the 1980s and early 1990s. He appeared in Broadway and West End productions such as Mass Appeal
Mass Appeal
Mass Appeal is a two-character play by Bill C. Davis. The comedy-drama focuses on the conflict between a complacent Roman Catholic pastor and the idealistic young deacon who is assigned to his affluent, suburban parish.-Plot:...
, Bus Stop (in London) and Blood Brothers with half-brother David for over a year on Broadway. From the late 1990s, he concentrated on television production with credits such as American Gothic
American Gothic (TV series)
American Gothic is an American horror series created by Shaun Cassidy and executive produced by Sam Raimi. The show first aired on CBS on September 22, 1995, and was cancelled after a single season on July 11, 1996.-Plot:...
(with Sam Raimi
Sam Raimi
Samuel Marshall "Sam" Raimi is an American film director, producer, actor and writer. He is best known for directing cult horror films like the Evil Dead series, Darkman and Drag Me to Hell, as well as the blockbuster Spider-Man films and the producer of the successful TV series Hercules: The...
), Roar
Roar
Roar may refer to :*Roar , a sound produced by certain animals such as lions and tigers* Roar, the King's College London student newspaper*Brisbane Roar FC, an Australian football club...
, Cold Case, The Agency, Invasion
Invasion (TV series)
Invasion is an American science fiction television series that aired on ABC for only one season beginning in September 2005. Somewhat similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the show told the story of the aftermath of a hurricane in which water-based creatures infiltrate a small Florida town and...
and Ruby & The Rockits.
Personal life
Shaun Cassidy grew up in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in an Irish-American family. In addition to an elder half-brother, David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
, he has two younger brothers: Patrick
Patrick Cassidy (actor)
Patrick Cassidy is an American actor best known for his roles in musical theatre and television.-Personal life:...
and Ryan Cassidy.
Cassidy has been married three times:
- Ann PenningtonAnn Pennington (model)Ann Victoria Pennington is an American model and actress. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its March 1976 issue. Her centerfold was photographed by Pompeo Posar and Phillip Dixon....
(born 1950), a model; she and Cassidy married in 1979 and divorced in 1993. From this marriage Cassidy has a daughter, Caitlin (born November 25, 1981); a son, Jake ( born February 27, 1985); and a stepdaughter, Jessica Ann Wilson Kruse (born July 8, 1970). - Susan DiolSusan DiolSusan Vanita Diol is an American television actress who has played supporting roles in over forty series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, NCIS and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Her characters rarely appear in more than one episode.-Biography:Diol was born in Marquette, Michigan, of...
, an actress, whom he married in 1995 and divorced in 2003. They have one daughter, Juliet (born March 19, 1998). - Tracey Lynne Turner, a producer, whom he married in 2004. They have four children: Caleb (born March 3, 2005), Roan (born September 23, 2006), Lila (born December 13, 2008), and Mairin (born June 25, 2011).
Solo albums
- 1977 Shaun CassidyShaun Cassidy (album)Shaun Cassidy is the first solo album from Shaun Cassidy. The eponymous album was first released in 1976 in Europe and Australia, where he had top-ten hits with "Morning Girl" and "That's Rock 'n' Roll". It was not until the release of a cover version of The Crystals' song, "Da Doo Ron Ron", that...
- 1977 Born LateBorn Late (album)Born Late was the second studio album released by pop singer, Shaun Cassidy. The album was released in 1977 following the success of Cassidy's self-titled debut album....
- 1978 Under WrapsUnder Wraps (album)Under Wraps was the third studio album from Shaun Cassidy, released in 1978. Less successful commercially than its two predecessors, Under Wraps was an early indication that Cassidy's teen-idol status was beginning to lose its momentum, as the album barely reached the top 40 on the Billboard...
- 1979 Room ServiceRoom Service (Shaun Cassidy album)The 1979 release of Room Service was Shaun Cassidy's fourth studio album. The album was poorly received and did not chart on the Billboard Chart...
- 1979 That's Rock 'N' Roll LiveThat's Rock 'N' Roll LiveTo capture the sensation of teen-idol Shaun Cassidy, Warner Bros. Records released a live album of his 1979 concert tour named That's Rock 'N' Roll Live. The album featured tracks from his four studio albums...
- 1980 WaspWasp (album)Wasp was the fifth and final studio album released by teen-idol, Shaun Cassidy in 1980. In an attempt to salvage a sinking pop career, Cassidy recruited Todd Rundgren to help "reinvent" his music career. Members of Rundgren's group Utopia also played on the record and the work had a decidedly "new...
- 1993 Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (Shaun Cassidy album)In 1992, Curb Records released a compilation of Shaun Cassidy's five studio albums. However, no songs were included from Cassidy's 1979 live album, That's Rock 'N' Roll Live'.-Track listing:#Da Doo Ron Ron 2:48...
Singles
- 1977 "Da Doo Ron RonDa Doo Ron Ron"Da Doo Ron Ron" is a 1963 hit single by The Crystals, produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector. The drummer was Hal Blaine....
" (US #1) - 1977 "That's Rock 'n' Roll" (US #3)
- 1978 "Hey DeanieHey Deanie"Hey Deanie" is a popular song by Shaun Cassidy that was released the last week of November, 1977 from his album, Born Late. It was his third and final top 10 hit, peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, spending four months on the chart from late 1977 to early 1978...
" (US #7) - 1978 "Do You Believe in Magic?Do You Believe in Magic (song)-Track listings:-Release history:-Chart performance:...
" (US #31) - 1978 "Teen DreamTeen DreamA special edition DVD package was released containing either a CD or Vinyl and a DVD, featuring psychedelic visuals for each track from Teen Dream, produced by a separate director.-Sales chart performance:-External links:* at Sub Pop...
" - 1978 "Our Night" (US #80)
- 1989 "Memory Girl" (Germany only release)
Actor
- Born of Water (1976)
- The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesThe Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesThe Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries is a television series which aired for three seasons on ABC...
(TV series) (1977–79) - Like Normal People (TV) (1979)
- Breaking Away (TV series) (1980–81)
- Breakfast With Les & Bess (TV) (1985)
- General HospitalGeneral HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
(TV series) (1987) - Murder She Wrote (TV series) episode: "Murder in a Minor Key" (1987)
- Once Upon a Texas TrainOnce Upon a Texas TrainOnce Upon a Texas Train is 1988 made-for-TV movie directed by Burt Kennedy and starring Willie Nelson as John Henry Lee and Richard Widmark as Captain Oren Hayes....
(1987) - MatlockMatlock (TV series)Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of attorney Ben Matlock. The show originally aired from September 23, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC, where it replaced The A-Team, then from November 5, 1992 until May 7, 1995 on ABC.The show's format was similar...
(TV series) episode: "The Investigation" (1988) - Roots: The GiftRoots: The GiftRoots: The Gift is a 1988 television film. It is the third installment of the Roots series, which traces the maternal family history of African American author Alex Haley, starting with his fourth great-grandfather Kunta Kinte. The film premiered on ABC on December 11, 1988, with AT&T as the sole...
(TV) (1988)
Writer
- Strays (1991)
- Midnight Run for Your LifeMidnight Run for Your LifeMidnight Run for Your Life is the third in a series of made-for-TV sequel/spin-offs for Universal Television's Action Pack of the widely acclaimed action/comedy Midnight Run...
(TV) (1994) - American GothicAmerican Gothic (TV series)American Gothic is an American horror series created by Shaun Cassidy and executive produced by Sam Raimi. The show first aired on CBS on September 22, 1995, and was cancelled after a single season on July 11, 1996.-Plot:...
(2 episodes) (creator) (1995) - RoarRoar (TV series)Roar is an American television show that originally aired on the Fox network in the summer of 1997. In the year AD 400, a young Irish man, Conor , sets out to rid his land of the invading Romans, but in order to accomplish this, he must unite the Celtic clans.-Premise:Roar chronicles the...
(3 episodes) (creator) (1997) - Players (TV series) (1997)
- Hollyweird (TV) (creator) (1998)
- Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI FamilyCover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI FamilyCover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family is an American television series which ran from March 5, 2000 to March 24, 2001 on the USA Network.-Premise:...
(1 episode) (2000) - The Agency (3 episodes) (2001)
- The MountainThe Mountain (TV series)The Mountain is an American television series that was broadcast on the WB Television Network for one season, from 2004 to 2005. The show received very low ratings and was canceled after only thirteen episodes. The theme song, "I Miss You" is sung by blink-182.-Plot:The plot centers on a ski resort...
(2 episodes) (2004) - InvasionInvasion (TV series)Invasion is an American science fiction television series that aired on ABC for only one season beginning in September 2005. Somewhat similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the show told the story of the aftermath of a hurricane in which water-based creatures infiltrate a small Florida town and...
(16 episodes) (creator) (2005–06) - Inseparable (TV series) (creator) (2008)
- Ruby & The Rockits (10 episodes) (creator) (2009)
Producer
- American Gothic (3 episodes) (1995)
- Roar (3 episodes) (1997)
- Hollyweird (1998)
- Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family (TV series) (2000–01)
- The Agency (4 episodes) (2001–03)
- Cold Case (3 episodes) (2003)
- The Mountain (3 episodes) (2004–05)
- Invasion (TV series) (2005–06)
- Inseparable (TV series) (2008)
- Ruby & The Rockits (3 episodes) (2009)
- Blue Bloods (TV series) (Season 2, Episode 1) (2011) Contributing Producer