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Learn where and when Charlie was born and a little about the path that saw him leave a promising career in law for acting. Find out about his familiy's roots and their connections in the business. Have you ever wondered how Charlie met his wife Susan, on this page you will find the answer with some other little known Charlie facts!


Charlie as a boy
Full Name: Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy

Date of Birth: February 9th, 1995

Place of Birth: London, England

Charles Shaughnessy is the eldest son of Alfred Shaughnessy and Jean Lodge Shaughnessy, born and raised in London along with his younger brother David.

Given his immediate family history, it was probably inevitable that he would be an actor. His mother, Jean Lodge Shaughnessy, is a former actress, and his father, Alfred Shaughnessy, is a well-known writer. (He was story editor and principal writer for the much acclaimed BBC series, Upstairs, Downstairs.) His younger brother, David Shaughnessy, also started out as an actor in England, he now works as a producer on the daytime soap The Young & The Restless in Los Angeles.

Charles acted in countless school productions from grammar school through Eton College. He recalls, "At that point, I absolutely new that I wanted to be an actor, and having made that decision, I then let it slide." As the sane, sensible older son, he chose instead to study law at Cambridge University (to the delight of his family).

The lure of the theatre was too potent, and after graduating from Cambridge, Charles enrolled in London's prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama to become an actor. It was a special time in his life in which he found himself blossoming professionally and personally.

Charlie & Susan It was there that he met the young California actress who is now his wife, Susan Fallender. Although they immediately became an "item," marriage took a little time. Susan finished her training in London, and then returned to California. Charles went to Salisbury to work in regional theatre, where he finally put into paying practice the talents and skills he had been displaying since age six.

Charles returned to London, where he was promptly cast in the television production of the Agatha Christie novel, Partners in Crime, and then landed the lead role of Julian in the BBC series, Jury. His career was off to a flying start. While Charles worked in England, the long-distance Shaughnessy - Fallender courtship became increasingly important and "very expensive."

About 2,000 pounds (roughly $3,000 U.S.) later, we decided this was crazy... I called Los Angeles late one night and proposed to Susan on the telephone. There was this gurgling noise on the other end, which I took to mean 'yes.' It was all very romantic." Susan and Charles were married May 21, 1983 at the Sheraton Towne House in Los Angeles, and decided to begin their new life together in this country.

Despite some early days of odd jobs and no money, it was not long before Charles began working in theatre in this country. He's appeared in various productions at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Actors Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum. A few months prior·to Days of our Lives, he did a four-day stint on General Hospital as Holly's thieving cousin, Alistair Crawford.

Shane & Kim Donovan The viewer reaction to Charles, the English actor who subtly made it clear that beneath the mysterious exterior was an equally fascinating interior, was instantaneous and strongly favorable. Shane, originally intended as a sinister character, was rapidly metamorphasized into a full-fledged hero -- ISA superagent and rescuer of damsels in distress. During the 1980's he formed one of Days Of Our Lives Super Couples with the love story of Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady. They had their ups and downs but through it all Shane loved Kim and they were a favourite with the fans.

Charles firmly believes that one creates one's own luck and happiness, no matter where one is. "Every single experience can be used in two ways - it can either be a negative experience or a positive one. It's just a matter of attitude. The most dreadful things can happen -- but there is an opportunity involved, and you just have to find the opportunity."

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All information on this page was taken from Charles Shaughnessy Fan Club material.