Charles Shaughnessy (born February 9, 1955) is a British television and film actor. He was born in London, despite his very Irish surname.
He is best known for playing Shane Donovan on Days of Our Lives from 1984 to 1992, as well as his portrayal of Maxwell Sheffield on The Nanny from 1993 to 1999.
Charles was born into a show business family. He started appearing in plays during grade school. After attending Eton he read for a law degree at Cambridge University.
While at Cambridge, he joined a comedy group called "Footlights Revue". After graduating, he decided to return to acting and enrolled in a London drama school, which led to him touring in a repertory company. He moved to America to follow the actress whom he would eventually marry, Susan Fallender.
Shaughnessy also appeared in the Disney Channel 2002 made-for-TV movie Get a Clue. He was also in the Halloween 2000 made-for-TV movie Mom's Got A Date With A Vampire starring opposite Caroline Rhea.
