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Doc Shaw

Larramie Cortez "Doc" Shaw (born April 24, 1992) is an , singer, and rapper. Best known for his television roles, Shaw gained prominence as Malik Payne, the eldest son in the family, on the sitcom (2006–2012; 2020–present), earning a for Best Performance in a TV Series (Supporting Young Actor) in 2009. He later starred as the boisterous twin king Boomer in the adventure-comedy series from 2010 to 2013, following a guest role as Marcus Little on in 2008. Born in , , as the only child of Tamie and Larry Shaw, he received his nickname "" from his grandparents, who recognized his early talents in . Shaw entered the industry young, starting with print advertisements and television commercials before transitioning to acting at age 14 with his House of Payne role. In addition to acting, Shaw has pursued music, releasing rap tracks and performing as a singer since childhood, including singles as recent as 2025.

Early life and background

Family and childhood

Larramie Cortez Shaw, professionally known as Doc Shaw, was born on April 24, 1992, in , , as the only child of parents Tamie Shaw and Larry Shaw. From a young age, Shaw's grandparents recognized his innate talent and charisma, affectionately nicknaming him "Doc" in honor of this special gift. Raised in a nurturing family environment in , Shaw benefited from the strong support of his parents and extended family, particularly his grandparents, who played a pivotal role in encouraging his early interests and personal growth.

Entry into entertainment

Shaw's entry into the entertainment industry was shaped by strong family encouragement during his childhood in , . As an , he received early support from his parents, who recognized his performative talents; his father initially guided him into modeling, leading to appearances in print advertisements. Following his father's death in 1994, his mother, Tamie Shaw, took over, helping him obtain representation through an agent to pursue opportunities in and commercials. By age six, Shaw had transitioned to professional work, booking multiple commercials that provided his initial exposure in the field. This early experience built his foundation, allowing him to develop skills through on-set practice rather than formal training programs at the time.

Career

Television roles

Shaw's breakthrough role came in as Payne, the intelligent but mischievous eldest son of C.J. and Janine Payne, in the TBS sitcom . The series ran for eight seasons until 2012, with Shaw appearing in 253 episodes, portraying a character whose arc evolved from teenage family conflicts to young adult responsibilities. This role significantly boosted his visibility as a in family comedies, earning him a 2009 for Best Performance in a TV Series (Supporting Young Actor). In 2008, Shaw transitioned to Disney Channel with the recurring role of Marcus Little in The Suite Life on Deck, a spin-off of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. As the former child singing sensation "Lil' Little," whose career stalled after puberty deepened his voice, Shaw appeared in 26 episodes across seasons 2 and 3 (2008–2010), contributing to the show's ensemble dynamics and Disney's interconnected universe through crossover storylines. The character's humorous integration into the SS Tipton school setting helped solidify Shaw's appeal in teen-oriented live-action series. Shaw took a lead role in 2010 as King Boomer, one of twin kings ruling the fictional island of Kinkow, in Disney XD's , which aired for three seasons until 2013. Co-starring with as twin brother Brady in seasons 1 and 2, and as their long-lost brother Boz in season 3, the adventure-comedy series highlighted Shaw's comedic and action skills, playing a key part in Disney XD's expansion of family-targeted programming. Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, Shaw made guest appearances in various shows, including Reilly in The King of Queens (2007) and Robbie in See Dad Run (2014). After 2013, his television work included returning as Malik Payne in the House of Payne revival on BET (2020–present), where the character navigated post-college life across Seasons 9–12 as of 2025, and a role in the spinoff The Paynes (2018). Shaw's television career, anchored in long-running family sitcoms like House of Payne and Disney properties such as The Suite Life on Deck and Pair of Kings, shaped his image as a versatile teen actor adept at ensemble humor and relatable character growth, amassing a fanbase through over 300 episodic appearances across these platforms.

Film roles

Doc Shaw began his film career with a voice role in the animated comedy Open Season 2 (2008), providing additional voices for the Sony Pictures Animation production directed by Steve Moore and David Feiss. This sequel follows forest animals on a rescue mission to a pet convention, marking Shaw's entry into feature-length animation and contrasting his emerging live-action television work. In 2012, Shaw appeared in the sports comedy Thunderstruck, directed by , where he portrayed Mitch, a supportive high school teammate to the lead character played by . Produced by Breakthrough Films and distributed by , the film explores themes of talent, friendship, and redemption through a fantastical body-switch premise involving NBA star , who makes a . Shaw's involvement in this project, which grossed modestly at the but appealed to young audiences, highlighted his transition to live-action feature films with a focus on ensemble dynamics in youth-oriented narratives. Shaw's most prominent film role came in 2014 with Dawn of the , a sci-fi sequel directed by for 20th Century Fox. He played Ash, the young son of the gorilla leader Caesar (), in a story examining interspecies conflict, fragile alliances, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The production utilized advanced motion-capture technology, earning critical acclaim for its and thematic depth on and , with the film achieving commercial success by grossing over $710 million worldwide. This role diversified Shaw's portfolio into high-profile blockbusters, moving beyond comedic television fare to dramatic, effects-driven cinema. Through these varied projects, Shaw's film contributions have broadened his on-screen presence from and lighthearted comedies to intense genre films, leveraging his television visibility to secure diverse casting opportunities.

Music projects

Shaw entered the music industry in with the release of "Top of the World," a collaborative single with that served as the theme song for the series , where he contributed rap verses alongside singing elements. This debut marked his transition into recording as a rapper and singer, drawing from Atlanta's vibrant scene during his formative years in the city. His rising fame from television roles provided initial exposure for these early music efforts. In 2011, Shaw released his debut album My Life, an independent project distributed primarily through digital platforms and featuring ten tracks that blended R&B melodies with rhythmic flows. Key songs included "," an introspective opener clocking in at 4:11; "Gimme 13," a high-energy track at 4:07; "Starting Right Now," emphasizing motivation at 4:33; "Still In ," a soulful running 4:45; and "Pull My String," a playful at 4:48 that highlighted his . The album's themes centered on youth, relationships, and ambition, reflecting Shaw's self-directed approach to music production without formal training. Accompanying singles like "" further explored personal expression, released the same year via streaming outlets. No major chart success was recorded for these early works, but they established his presence in online and R&B communities. Shaw's music evolved through sporadic singles in the ensuing years, shifting toward more mature themes of and . In 2021, he dropped "The Sun Will Rise Again," featuring his relatives Lester Shaw and Retsel Shaw, which incorporated uplifting R&B harmonies with subtle undertones to convey hope amid challenges. By 2024, releases like "" and "Ready for " demonstrated a polished production style, focusing on emotional introspection and growth, distributed exclusively on platforms such as and . His most recent , "Daddy's Girl" in 2025, continued this trajectory with heartfelt on familial bonds, underscoring a blend of delivery and R&B sensibility. Throughout his discography, Shaw's style fuses rhythms with R&B vocals, often addressing and without extensive collaborations beyond family. While no full-length tours are documented, he has appeared at honors events and promotional performances tied to his releases, maintaining a focus on over live circuits.

Personal life and recent developments

Private life

Doc Shaw has maintained a low-profile personal life in adulthood, largely keeping details about romantic relationships out of the public eye and avoiding any documented involvement in scandals or controversies. This approach to reflects his preference for shielding off-screen matters from media scrutiny, allowing him to focus on family and personal growth away from the spotlight. As the only child of parents Tamie Shaw and Larry Shaw, Doc maintains close family ties, particularly with his mother, whom he has described as his best friend. No siblings are noted in public records. Following his rise to fame, Shaw has resided between Atlanta, Georgia—his longtime home base—and Los Angeles, California, where he relocated with his family in 2009 to pursue acting opportunities. His lifestyle includes community involvement, such as visiting schools and children's hospitals to promote healthy eating and , inspired by his family's history with . Shaw's interests outside entertainment center on health and fitness, including encouraging active lifestyles through walks and motivational talks. In response to the intrusions of early fame, he uses judiciously; as of 2025, his Instagram account (@docshaw) has approximately 48,000 followers, featuring selective posts that blend personal reflections with minimal details about daily life.

Public image and transformations

Doc Shaw's public image has evolved significantly from his early days as a teenage star on series like , where he was known for his youthful, cherubic appearance, to a more mature persona in his 30s, reflecting personal growth and health-focused changes. By the , Shaw, now 33, has positioned himself as an advocate for and , engaging fans through selective media appearances and online presence that emphasize empowerment and family values. A pivotal aspect of this transformation was Shaw's journey, which began around 2019 and continued into the early , resulting in a loss of 60 to 65 pounds over approximately 18 months. Motivated by a family history of and a desire to prevent weight-related health issues, Shaw adopted a healthier , including replacing and dinner with fresh juices, reducing consumption of sweets, fries, and cookies, and incorporating regular exercise. This change dramatically altered his appearance, leading to widespread fan recognition and speculation upon his return to television, but Shaw has described it as a empowering shift toward physical and emotional control. The transformation positively influenced his on-screen presence, allowing for more versatile roles without the constraints of his earlier physique. Shaw's return to for its 2020 revival on marked a key chapter in his career reflections, with the series running new episodes through 2023 and continuing to air in 2025. In interviews around the premiere, Shaw expressed enthusiasm for reprising the role of Payne, noting the familial bond with the cast and the opportunity to portray an adult version of the character navigating and relationships, which mirrored his own transition to maturity. He highlighted the revival's role in reconnecting with audiences, emphasizing themes of family dynamics and that resonated with his evolving image. In , Shaw remains active in entertainment, with ongoing involvement in House of Payne episodes and pursuits in and , while fostering fan interactions that underscore his shift toward inspirational content. His evolution has focused on motivational posts about , , and personal growth, moving away from promotional material to authentic engagement that builds a around positive change. Additionally, unfounded death rumors circulating online have been debunked, with no evidence supporting them; Shaw continues to thrive professionally and personally.

References

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    Biography. Larramie "Doc" Shaw became an actor when he was just 14 years old. "Doc" Shaw began his acting career with roles in sitcoms like "Tyler Perry's ...
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    Doc Shaw was born the only child of Tamie and Larry Shaw. His grandparents noticed that he had a special gift and gave him the nickname Doc.
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    Rating 3.7/10 (6,658) 318 episodes • 2006–2025. Lance Gross · Calvin Payne. 301 eps 301 episodes • 2006–2025. Larramie Doc Shaw · Malik Payne. 253 eps 253 episodesFull cast & crew · Episode list · Larramie Doc Shaw as Malik... · Cassi Davis
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    Rating 5.9/10 (5,106) Pair of Kings: Created by Dan Cross, David Hoge. With Kelsey Asbille, Larramie Doc Shaw, Ryan Ochoa, Geno Segers. Teenage twins from Chicago discover that ...Full cast & crew · Larramie Doc Shaw · Episode list · Ryan Ochoa
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    The series centers on brothers Brady (Mitchel Musso) and Boomer (Doc Shaw), a pair of 16-year-old fraternal twins raised by their aunt and uncle in Chicago.
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    Sep 2, 2020 · Picking up nearly a decade after things left off, Wednesday's two-part premiere found Malik (Larramie "Doc" Shaw) returning home from college ...
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