Chaz Lamar Shepherd is a man of many talents. Growing up in an entertainment household, the 44-year-old Philadelphia native was immersed in performance art as early as the age of 5. Chaz is one of the select few to snatch a coveted spot within the MCU, portraying Raymond ‘Piranha’ Jones in the Netflix Marvel series Luke Cage.
However, Shepherd had been acting and performing within the mainstream’s eye long before becoming a thorn in the side of Michael Colter’s Luke Cage. Whether in mainstream TV series or gracing the big screen, there’s a large chance that you have seen his talents on display in the past. This list dares to peer into the illustrious career of Mr. Shepherd.
7 The Stage
Debuting as an MC at age 5, Chaz would move on to the live stage as a professional with The Walnut Street production of Fame. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, when asked about his time as a child MC, Shepherd said, “I memorized the script and introduced the dancers.” A true performance artist, Shepherd would venture off to the land of TV shortly after his stage debut, but it wouldn't be the end of his theatrical journey by any means.
6 The Small Screen
"Performing just gradually happened. When I was 12, I went to an open-call audition in Philadelphia - I think it was for a movie called 'Newsies.' The casting agent connected me with an agent in New York. From there, I started going on auditions. That's how my TV career began," is what the Blue Bloods actor said to The Philadelphia Inquirer recently about his start in television. Chaz has been featured in a plethora of TV series over the past 20 years or so. Whether being featured in shows such as Me and the Boys or showing up in made for TV films like Survive the Night, Shepherd has had his fair share of prominent small screen roles.
5 The Silver Screen
Transitioning from the small screen to the world of feature films can be daunting but inevitable for most actors. Devoting most of his career to television, Shepherd has made sporadic appearances within the world of feature film. With notable works, such as Damon in the rom-com Almost Love (Sell By), Set It Off and the film adaptation of the novel Woman Thou Art Loose, portraying Deacon. Chaz hasn't done anything further in the world of feature films, and seemingly wishes to make TV his regular stomping ground.
4 Broadway
Chaz has graced the stage and embraced the world of Broadway. Beginning his career on the stage, the Moesha actor has gone back to roots and ventured onto the Broadway showcase.He has appeared in the Broadway revival of Chicago as Billy Flynn (replacing Tom Hewitt) in 2018, Curtis Taylor Jr. in the US tour of Dreamgirls in 2009, and as Harpo in the original Broadway production of The Color Purple in 2007. Sharing the stage with singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson was surely a highlight (and perhaps a little intimidating), and Chaz has impressed with his roles on the big stage. Shepherd has also made it a mission to petition to make the Apollo Theater a Broadway house, obtaining over 5,000 signatures.
3 Music Debut
Not wanting to limit himself to merely acting on stage and screen, Shepherd found himself pursuing a singing career as well. An accomplished singer-songwriter, Chaz dipped his toes in the music industry, releasing his first album entitled The First One back in 2008. Likewise, he would go on to release his sophomore effort Love and Truth, in 2010 through his own record label Chaz Records. He also has a single entitle "Chemical Reaction," however, there is little information regarding that piece of music. Since then, Shepherd has launched a YouTube channel devoted to his music, which also happens to be called Chaz Records.
2 Fox’s ‘Fantasy Life’
Chaz Shepherd was cast in the Fox pilot Fantasy Life back in 2015. An office comedy that centered around a major sports network, the show was based on the memoirs of top fantasy sports expert Matthew Berry of ESPN fame. Unfortunately, the show was not meant to be, as the fantasy sports series was not picked up. This, of course, didn't do much to stop the career of Chaz Lamar, as he would end up making his way to a rather large franchise a few years later.
1 Raymond 'Piranha’ Jones
Of all the entertainment franchises both past and current, there are none larger and more valued than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For over 10 years, Disney’s juggernaut has not only been getting stronger but has managed to become a vehicle for up and coming stars to potentially become mainstream, box office phenomenons. Chaz Shepherd became one of the privileged talents to call himself a member of the MCU with his casting as the Wall Street impresario Raymond ‘Piranha’ Jones in the Netflix/Marvel series Luke Cage. Sharing the screen opposite Michael Colter in the second season of the series, Shepherd has cemented his place within the MCU’s rouge’s gallery.