Celebrity Jobber with Jeff Zito – Shaun Cassidy
Date: December 13, 2025
Host: Jeff Zito
Guest: Shaun Cassidy
Episode Overview
This episode of Celebrity Jobber dives into the unique career journey of Shaun Cassidy—teen idol, television star, and now acclaimed TV writer/producer. Host Jeff Zito explores Shaun’s early milestones, the challenges of growing up in a showbiz dynasty, his decades-long hiatus from performing, and a surprising return to the stage. The conversation also touches on "regular" jobs Shaun held before fame, his passion project in winemaking, and how he’s found fulfillment behind the scenes.
Main Themes and Insights
1. Shaun Cassidy’s Showbiz Roots and Family Influence
- Born into a family of entertainment legends (father Jack Cassidy, mother Shirley Jones, brother David Cassidy), Shaun acknowledges the doors show business opened for him.
- Reflects on how these family dynamics shaped both opportunities and expectations.
“I had the models of David and my mom and my father, who all dealt with it in very different ways. Good, bad, everything in between. And I got to go to school on them, you know.”
– Shaun Cassidy (06:17)
2. The Breakthrough and Sudden Pause (03:37–07:06)
- Early fame as a Hardy Boys star and recording artist, culminating in performing for 55,000 people at the Houston Astrodome.
- Unexpectedly retired from public performance at 21, got married, and started a family.
- Spent the 1980s at home, reflecting and reshaping career goals.
“The trajectory of my career is pretty unique in that I had this huge success as an early 18, 19, 20-year-old. And then at 21, I stopped. I just stopped all. I mean, I basically stayed home for the 80s.”
– Shaun Cassidy (05:18)
- Never felt comfortable in the spotlight, preferred privacy and creative autonomy.
3. Transition to Writing and Producing (07:06–08:23)
- Developed a deep love for writing while involved in the Hardy Boys, often spending more time in the writers’ room than on set.
- Breakthrough with the cult TV series American Gothic in the mid-90s (Sarah Paulson’s first job); recognized as a major shift in his public persona.
“Once I found out I could write, it was like, oh, set me free, I'm going to run with this. And I did. And I just turned in my latest pilot, NBC yesterday. I'm still doing it.”
– Shaun Cassidy (08:17)
4. Early “Normal” Jobs Before Fame (10:09–11:04)
- Despite coming from a famous family, Shaun did take on more ordinary jobs:
- Worked as a magician at kids’ birthday parties (including Jennifer Aniston's 4th birthday; 10:31).
- Wrapped Christmas presents at a department store.
“I was a magician. I did children's birthday parties all over LA from like 13 to 16. In fact, I played Jennifer Aniston's fourth birthday.”
– Shaun Cassidy (10:31)
5. The Return to Performing (03:37–04:37; 12:25–13:40)
- After a 40-year break, inspired to reconnect with audiences through a new, storytelling-driven concert tour—his largest yet (60 cities).
- Emphasizes the “authenticity” of combining music with storytelling, aligning with his evolved identity.
“There's a lot of nostalgia in the show ... but the stories are what make it feel relevant to me now, and they seem to be a big part of the positive takeaway for the audience.”
– Shaun Cassidy (14:16)
- Overcame anxiety about being remembered or “out of touch” before his tour (13:40).
6. Wine Making and Philanthropy (14:33–16:13)
- Launches "My First Crush" wine brand during the pandemic, supporting No Kid Hungry.
- Used personal network and social media to distribute wine and raise funds for children needing meals during school closures.
“I called No Kid Hungry. I said, I'm gonna put out this wine. We're gonna give you money from it. Are you in? ... I just trademarked My First Crush. Sounds like a good name for a wine.”
– Shaun Cassidy (15:16)
- Wine business is about giving back and community, not profit.
7. Reflections on Fame, Identity, and Fulfillment (Throughout)
- Shaun credits his introverted nature and the desire for a more private life with “saving” him from childhood fame pitfalls.
- Finds satisfaction in creative work and values authenticity in his public and private efforts.
- Openly shares the evolution from performing for others to living for himself (18:04–19:19).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Early Fame:
“My last concert tour back in the day ended at The Houston Astrodome. 55,000 people. I said, good night, thought, I'll see you soon. But I ended up segueing into writing and producing television, which has been my main job for all these years.”
– Shaun Cassidy (03:41) -
On Family Influence:
“People were sort of looking at me a little closer maybe and people are taking my pictures and my picture ended up in teen magazines. But that was really because of David and my mom and dad to a lesser extent.”
– Shaun Cassidy (09:25) -
On Finding His True Calling:
“I found that I loved writing. I loved the life that writing afforded me. And when I sold my first television show... suddenly the world was looking at me very differently.”
– Shaun Cassidy (07:18) -
On Wine & Philanthropy:
“The wine is exquisite. It's beautiful wine of all varietals, and it's a labor of love. It's not really profitable, but it's really fun. Now you join our wine club.”
– Shaun Cassidy (16:00) -
On Teenage Crushes:
“My first, first crush was a little girl sat in front of me in second grade who just dazzled me and totally ignored me. Later, the actress who played Catwoman on the old Batman TV series, Julie Newmar. Boom, baby.”
– Shaun Cassidy (17:33)
Key Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |:-----------:|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:00 | Shaun talks about current life and his mother’s well-being | | 03:37–04:37 | Returning to touring after 40 years; reflections on early career ending | | 05:16–05:56 | Early showbiz experiences, family influence, dealing with instant fame | | 07:06–08:23 | Transition from performing to writing and selling American Gothic | | 09:08–10:09 | Early influences in music, first record deals, landing the Hardy Boys | | 10:09–11:04 | Regular jobs: magician for kids’ parties and department store gift wrapper | | 12:25–13:40 | Preparing for the new tour, balancing writing and performing | | 14:33–16:13 | Discussing the "My First Crush" wine project and its charitable goals | | 17:31–17:45 | Revealing his childhood and celebrity crushes | | 18:04–19:19 | Reflecting on the positive outcome of stepping away from fame and finding personal happiness |
Conclusion
This episode offers a heartfelt look at the rare story of a child star who not only survived, but thrived by stepping out of the spotlight. Shaun Cassidy’s ability to reinvent himself, embrace his introversion, and focus on creative fulfillment—rather than fame—sets his journey apart. His recent adventures back on tour and foray into winemaking add new chapters to a multifaceted career. The conversation is peppered with humility, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the creative life—whether in the limelight or behind the scenes.
For tour info: ShaunCassidy.com
Wine club: MyFirstCrush.com