Charles Shaughnessy Wife: Who Is He Married To? (2026)
Charles Shaughnessy is married to actress Susan Fallender. The couple wed on 21 May 1983, and as of 2026 they have been married for more than 43 years. Shaughnessy, born 9 February 1955 in London, England, is best known for playing Maxwell Sheffield on the sitcom The Nanny (1993–1999) and Shane Donovan on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Who Is Susan Fallender?
Susan Fallender is an actress. Shaughnessy met her while they were both students in drama school in London, and romance brought him to America — he moved to Hollywood to marry her. Fallender has kept a relatively low public profile compared with her husband, but she has occasionally appeared alongside him at theatre events. She was born in the United States, and according to biographical profiles she joined Shaughnessy at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining production of Harvey, where he took the title role in 2014.
IMDb lists the marriage as beginning on 21 May 1983 and still ongoing, with two children. Shaughnessy has publicly called his wife his biggest inspiration, saying: "She has more integrity than anyone I know and integrity is more important than anything for a happy and successful life."
Marriage Timeline
- Early 1980s: Shaughnessy meets Susan Fallender in drama school in London.
- 21 May 1983: The couple marries. Shaughnessy moves to Hollywood and is cast shortly afterward as Shane Donovan on Days of Our Lives, a role he played for eight years, winning three Soap Opera Digest Awards.
- 1993–1999: During the run of The Nanny, in which Shaughnessy played British producer Maxwell Sheffield opposite Fran Drescher, the couple raise their family in Los Angeles.
- 2014: Fallender accompanies Shaughnessy to the Alhambra Theatre & Dining in Jacksonville, Florida, for his run in Harvey.
- 2026: The marriage passes its 43rd year, one of the longest continuously married couples among The Nanny cast members.
Children
The couple have two daughters: Jenny Johanna Shaughnessy (born 18 March 1990) and Madelyn Sarah Shaughnessy (born 8 February 1995). Jenny has worked as an assistant to head of production at Nickelodeon. Shaughnessy has credited his wife and daughters — "my beautiful wife, Susan and my two girls, Jenny and Maddy" — as what makes his varied career worthwhile.
Career Highlights
Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy graduated from Eton College and earned a law degree at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he joined the Footlights Revue comedy group before returning to acting. His major screen roles include Shane Donovan on Days of Our Lives, Maxwell Sheffield on The Nanny, and recurring parts as Christopher Plover on The Magicians, St. John Powell on Mad Men, and Victor Cassadine on General Hospital.
He won a Daytime Emmy Award for voicing Dennis the Goldfish in the Disney animated series Stanley, made his Broadway debut in the musical Urinetown in 2003, and played Prince Charles in the 2019 television movie Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal. With his brother David Shaughnessy, he is a partner in 3S Media Solutions Inc.
For more on his Nanny co-stars, see related articles.
FAQ
Who is Charles Shaughnessy's wife?
His wife is actress Susan Fallender, whom he married on 21 May 1983.
How many children do Charles Shaughnessy and Susan Fallender have?
They have two daughters: Jenny Johanna (born 1990) and Madelyn Sarah (born 1995).
How long have Charles Shaughnessy and Susan Fallender been married?
They have been married since 1983 — more than 43 years as of 2026.
How did Charles Shaughnessy meet his wife?
They met while both were students in drama school in London; he later moved to Hollywood to marry her.
What is Charles Shaughnessy best known for?
Playing Maxwell Sheffield on The Nanny (1993–1999) and Shane Donovan on Days of Our Lives.