Background and career
Chaz Lamar Shepherd is an American actor and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his roles as Artis Tower in Me and the Boys (1994–1995), John Hamilton on 7th Heaven (1996–2001), and Piranha in Luke Cage (2018). He is also known for his portrayal as Al Bryant in the 1998 NBC miniseries The Temptations.
Shepherd grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was active in Tindley Temple United Methodist Church and graduated from Evelyn Graves Christian Academy. His mother, Cheryl Shepherd, is a dancer and choreographer who left her work in Philadelphia's public schools to manage his career. He first appeared on stage when he was 5 years old as an MC at a recital for his mother's dance school.
Shepherd's professional debut came in a production of Fame staged by the Walnut Street Theatre. On television, he portrayed Al Bryant in the NBC miniseries The Temptations (1998).he also played on the Parkers. He also played Artis Tower, son of Steve Tower (Steve Harvey) on Me and the Boys and appeared on In the House, Moesha, and Sister, Sister. He played John Hamilton on 7th Heaven, had a recurring role as Trey Wiggs on The Game, and portrayed Raymond "Piranha" Jones in the second season of Luke Cage. He was also a guest lead vocalist on Judith Christie McAllister's first album, "Send Judah First" track 7, The Prayer of Recommitment, released in 2000. Shepherd appeared on film in Set It Off in the role of Stevie, On Broadway, he portrayed Billy Flynn in Chicago (2018) and Harpo in The Color Purple (2005). His other work on stage includes appearing as Curtis Taylor, Jr. in a 2009–10 national tour of the musical Dreamgirls.
Released: October 26, 2010 Label: Chaz Records/Introspect Music Formats: CD, Digital Download
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
