Chaz Lamar Shepherd is an American actor and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his roles as Artis Tower in Me and the Boys (1994-1995), John Hamilton on 7th Heaven (1996-2001), and Piranha in Luke Cage (2018). He is also known for his portrayal as Al Bryant in the 1998 NBC miniseries The Temptations.
Chaz Lamar Shepherd | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Chaz Shepherd |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer-songwriter, host, entertainment personality |
| Years active | 1993–present |
Early life
editShepherd grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was active in Tindley Temple United Methodist Church and graduated from Evelyn Graves Christian Academy. His mother, Cheryl Shepherd, is a dancer and choreographer who left her work in Philadelphia's public schools to manage his career.[1] He first appeared on stage when he was 5 years old as an MC at a recital for his mother's dance school.[2]
Career
editShepherd's professional debut came in a production of Fame staged by the Walnut Street Theatre.[2] On television, he portrayed Al Bryant in the NBC miniseries The Temptations (1998).he also played on the Parkers. He also played Artis Tower, son of Steve Tower (Steve Harvey) on Me and the Boys and appeared on In the House, Moesha, and Sister, Sister.[1] He played John Hamilton on 7th Heaven,[3] had a recurring role as Trey Wiggs on The Game, and portrayed Raymond "Piranha" Jones in the second season of Luke Cage. He was also a guest lead vocalist on Judith Christie McAllister's first album, "Send Judah First" track 7, The Prayer of Recommitment, released in 2000.
Shepherd appeared on film in Set It Off in the role of Stevie,[1] On Broadway, he portrayed Billy Flynn in Chicago (2018) and Harpo in The Color Purple (2005).[4] His other work on stage includes appearing as Curtis Taylor, Jr. in a 2009-10 national tour of the musical Dreamgirls.[2]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Survive the Night | Thad | TV movie |
| 1994–1995 | Me and the Boys | Artis Tower | 19 episodes |
| 1995 | A Pig's Tale | Royce | Direct to video |
| 1996 | Moesha | Whitlock | Episode: "Million Boy March" |
| Minor Adjustments | Bam | 2 episodes | |
| The Nutty Professor | Student | ||
| The Steve Harvey Show | Dexter | Episode: "Loose Lips Sink Friendships" | |
| Set It Off | Stevie Newsom | Credited as Chaz Lamar Shepard | |
| 1996–1997 | Sister, Sister | Shawn Russell | 3 episodes |
| 1996–2001 | 7th Heaven | John Hamilton | 33 episodes |
| 1998 | Twice the Fear | College student | Direct to video |
| In the House | Mark | 4 episodes | |
| The Temptations | Elbridge "Al" Bryant | TV movie | |
| 2001 | Touched by an Angel | Young Candy McCloud | Episode: The Perfect Game |
| 2001–2002 | The Parkers | Aaron | 4 episodes |
| 2002 | The Division | Keith | Episode: "This Thing Called Love" |
| 2004 | Woman Thou Art Loosed | Deacon | |
| 2006–2007 & 2012 | The Game | Trey Wiggs | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Hater's Back Off! | Keith | Recurring role |
| 2018 | Blue Bloods | Detective Chamberlin | Episode: "Close Calls" |
| Marvel's Luke Cage | Raymond "Piranha" Jones | 6 episodes | |
| 2019 | Almost Love | Damon | |
| 2022 | Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story | Marvin Sapp | TV movie |
| 2023 | Saturdays | Doug Jones | Episode: "Skates, Lies & Videos" |
Discography
editAlbums
editLove & Truth
- Released: October 26, 2010
- Label: Chaz Records/Introspect Music
- Formats: CD, Digital Download
References
edit- ^ a b c Roberts, Kimberly C. (January 15, 1999). "Local actor's dream comes true: Chaz Lamar Shepherd makes it big in Hollywood". Philadelphia Tribune. p. 3 M. ProQuest 337735856. Retrieved December 5, 2020 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c Darrow, Chuck (June 22, 2010). "Chaz Lamar Shepherd, a Philadelphia native, has lead role in 'Dreamgirls' at the Academy of Music". McClatchy - Tribune Business News. ProQuest 506423968. Retrieved December 5, 2020 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Roberts, Kimberly (March 13, 2001). "An angel helps March of Dimes: 7th Heaven star, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, supports worthy cause". Philadelphia Tribune. p. 3 B. ProQuest 337795607. Retrieved December 5, 2020 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Chaz Lamar Shepherd". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
