Stan Shaw Opens Up on Hot in Hollywood About 50 Years in Film, Iconic Roles, and His Work on BET+’s The Family Business
Stan Shaw
Los Angeles, CA – Legendary actor Stan Shaw, whose career spans more than five decades across film, television, and stage, recently sat down for a powerful and revealing conversation on the Hot in Hollywood podcast. In the episode, Shaw reflects on his remarkable journey in entertainment while discussing his current role in the BET+ hit drama The Family Business and its spinoff The Family Business New Orleans.
A commanding presence on screen for generations, Shaw has built an extraordinary career portraying unforgettable characters in classic films and television projects. Audiences remember him as Big George in the Academy Award-nominated Fried Green Tomatoes, Will Palmer in the groundbreaking Emmy-winning miniseries Roots: The Next Generations, and Jack Jenkins the stuttering boxer in the cult classic Harlem Nights.
During his conversation on the Hot in Hollywood podcast, Shaw shares behind-the-scenes stories from his decades in Hollywood, including working alongside iconic stars such as Robert Duvall, Sylvester Stallone, Nicolas Cage, and Sean Connery.
For media inquiries, interviews, or booking requests, please contact:
Camille Brown
Shaw also opens up about his role as Larry Duncan in The Family Business, the fan favorite drama based on the novels by Carl Weber. The series, which stars Shaw opposite Ernie Hudson, continues to captivate audiences with its gripping storylines centered on family, loyalty, and power.
The episode highlights Shaw’s incredible artistic journey, which began on stage in the original Chicago production of the revolutionary musical Hair alongside Joe Mantegna. His theater career also includes starring roles on Broadway and award-winning performances that earned him recognition including an NAACP Image Award and honors celebrating his lasting impact on American culture.
Beyond acting, Shaw is also an accomplished screenwriter. His original screenplay Gargoyle Bob won Best Screenplay at the Tribeca Horror Film Festival, showcasing his creative storytelling beyond the screen.
Born into a musical legacy as the son of blues legend Eddie Shaw and cousin to soul icons Sam Cooke and Tyrone Davis, Shaw forged his own path to become one of the entertainment industry’s most respected and enduring talents.
On the Hot in Hollywood podcast, Shaw reflects on the evolution of Hollywood, the power of storytelling, and what continues to inspire him after more than fifty years in the business.
Fans and listeners can tune in now to hear the full interview and discover the stories behind one of Hollywood’s most enduring careers.
Stan Shaw: A Career Built on Legacy, Craft, and Staying Power
In an industry known for constant change, Stan Shaw represents something rare, longevity grounded in craft. With a career spanning five decades across film and television, Shaw has built a body of work defined not by trends, but by purpose, discipline, and unforgettable performances.
Many audiences first remember Shaw as Big George in Fried Green Tomatoes, a role that remains one of the film’s emotional anchors. His performance was warm, powerful, and quietly commanding that cemented his place in cinematic history. But that role was only one chapter in a much larger story.
From his appearance in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots: The Next Generations (Roots II), to films like Harlem Nights with Eddie Murphy, Daylight with Sylvester Stallone, and Brian De Palma’s Snake Eyes with Nicholas Cage, Shaw consistently
brought depth to every character he portrayed. Whether working in drama, action, or comedy, his presence elevated the story.
Stan Shaw
What makes Shaw’s career especially significant is its continuity. He didn’t disappear with changing eras, he adapted. Today, he currently stars as Uncle Larry on BET’s hit series The Family Business, appearing alongside Ernie Hudson, and its spinoff The Family Business New Orleans, starring Lela Rochon. The role showcases exactly what Shaw has always done best at, portraying authority with humanity, strength with nuance.
On Hot in Hollywood, Shaw reflects on a career shaped by persistence rather than hype. He speaks candidly about navigating Hollywood across generations, the responsibility of representation, and the importance of staying rooted in the work. His journey offers a powerful reminder that real success isn’t measured by moments of fame, but by decades of meaningful storytelling.
For Stan Shaw, the legacy isn’t just what he’s done, it’s what he continues to do.
Stan Shaw Talks Reinvention, Legacy, and Acting Alongside Ernie Hudson Stan Shaw isn’t looking back, he’s still moving forward.
Currently appearing as Uncle Larry on BET’s The Family Business, Shaw proves that experience is not a limitation in Hollywood, it’s an asset. Sharing the screen with Ernie Hudson, Shaw brings gravitas, wisdom, and authenticity to a series that continues to resonate with audiences.
For Shaw, staying relevant has never been about chasing trends. It’s about staying ready.
That philosophy has guided him since the early days of his career, which includes iconic projects like Roots II, Harlem Nights, Daylight, Snake Eyes, and his unforgettable role as Big George in Fried Green Tomatoes. Each role, regardless of screen time or genre, was approached with the same level of commitment.
On Hot in Hollywood, Shaw opens up about what it takes to survive and thrive in an industry that often prioritizes the new over the seasoned. He discusses the importance of professionalism on set, the power of storytelling that reflects real lives, and why younger actors should focus more on longevity than visibility.
His role on The Family Business is a testament to that mindset. Uncle Larry isn’t just a character, he’s the culmination of years of lived experience, both on and off the screen. Shaw’s performance reminds viewers that some of the most compelling stories are told by those who’ve earned the right to tell them.
As Hollywood continues to evolve, Stan Shaw stands as proof that staying in the game isn’t about reinvention for reinvention’s sake, it’s about remaining authentic, prepared, and passionate about the work.
And that’s exactly why his story still matters.
And as always, you’ll get the story up close — only at Entertainment Up Close.