- At the age of five, Chaz Lamar Shepherd started learning the craft of showbiz from his mother, Cheryl ‘Cookie’ Grant Shepherd
- The Nutty Professor actor seems not to be married but has been a loving father to his daughter, Harlem Sorah Shepherd
- The 47 year-old actor has appeared in quite a number of television series and films since he made his acting debut in the stage production of Fame
The Color Purple actor Chaz Lamar Shepherd started gracing public stages at the age of 5. Growing up with his mother, Cheryl Cookie Shepherd who was a dancer and a choreographer helped him prepare himself for his career as an actor and also a singer-songwriter.
Since the Philadelphia native made his debut in 1993, he has appeared in several movies including The Game, Dreamgirls, The Nutty Professor, and Set It Off. The 47 year-old.
Chaz Lamar Shepherd is the Only Child of His Parents
Chaz Lamar Shepherd was born on October 26, 1977, in Philadelphia to his parents Cheryl ‘Cookie’ Shepherd and Ronald Shepherd. Being the only child of his parents, his mother loved and cherished him.
His parents met while they were both attending Allen University. They reportedly traveled and sang with the university choir. After he was born, his mother taught at Warren g. Harding Middle School and also William W. Meredith Elementary.
Sadly, by the time he was 4 four, his parents divorced and his father apparently disappeared from the limelight.
While growing up, he attended the Evelyn Graves Christian Academy at 55th Street and Chester Avenue in Southwest Philly and was an active member of the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church as a young lad.
Is Chaz Lamar Shepherd Married?
The actor is currently single but he has a teenage daughter called Harlem Sorah Shepherd. His daughter’s mother has remained a mystery although he has been linked with his fellow actress Countess Vaughn.
The actor who strikes as an outgoing and vocal television personality has been lip-tight about his personal life. He only shares pictures concerning his career and his daughter on his social media handle.
His Mother Played a Key Role in Building His TV Career
The actor’s mother Cheryl founded the first young people’s dance company Lessons in Dance Studio in their hometown. Being a very strict parent, she kicked her son out of school because of his funky attitude. She used Chaz as an example to her other students.
He made his stage debut at the age of 5 as an MC at his mother’s school. He was reportedly taught how to memorize the script and introduce the dancers. After that, he started performing gradually. By the time he was 12, he landed an open-call audition in Philadelphia for the movie, Newsies.
His TV career began shortly after the open-call auditions and he started going for more auditions. He later became a dependable TV actor appearing on television such as Moesha, The Parkers, Sister Sisters, and The Steve Harvey Show.
In 2006, he landed a role in the iconic movie The Color Purple accidentally. He accompanied his friend to the New York auditions for the stage version of the film but instead, he ended up winning the role of Harpo in the musical play.
The other films and television series the actor has starred in include:
- 7th Heaven (1996-2001)
- Touched By an Angel (2001)
- Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004)
- Blue Blood (2018)
- Marvel’ Luke Cage (2018)
- The Parkers (2001-2002)
- In the House (1998)
Chaz Lamar Shepherd Has a Record Label
While excelling in his acting career, Chaz started a company called Chaz Records. The label was reportedly in charge of distributing his 2009 CD, Love & Truth which was a collection of something he called ‘soul-pop’ tunes.
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His Mother Died after Battling Respiratory Problems
Chaz’s mother was born and raised in the Christian faith. Cheryl was not only a dancer but also a board member of the Annenberg Theatre. During her final days, she was reportedly a happy mother and grandmother.
Cheryl V Grant died of complications from a respiratory condition on January 17, 2012, at the age of 61. Grammy as she was known in Harlem was a well-known schoolteacher and dancer instructor.
According to reports, she dedicated her life to raising Chaz as a single mother. Most of her family members believe that whatever wisdom and excellence the actor portrays is a reflection of who his mother was.
Aside from being a dance instructor, his mother was well-schooled. She was a graduate of Spelman College and also Montclair State University. She had degrees in health and Physical Education as well as dance. Before she passed, she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
What is Chaz Lamar Shepherd’s Net Worth?
The singer-songwriter’s career in the entertainment industry has reportedly fetched him a net worth not less than $1 million. It is not certain if his musical career has garnered him much income.
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