Shaun Cassidy calls out father as ‘phony’ after growing up in Hollywood spotlight

Shaun Cassidy, the former teen idol who rose to fame in the 1970s, says he and his half-siblings grew up under a Hollywood spotlight that felt more performative than protective. In a People interview, the 67-year-old described his father, Jack Cassidy, as a cultivated public figure who was more a showman than a parent, noting that the elder Cassidy built a grand public persona that masked the family life.

Cassidy said he and his brothers Patrick and the late David recognized their father's crafted performance and often wondered about the man behind the show. He recalled how the public voice and theatrical manner, including a distinctive accent, seemed part of a manufactured image rather than a reflection of who he really was. Jack Cassidy died in 1976 in an apartment fire at age 49.

Growing up in the spotlight, Shaun said the image of his parents as a picture-perfect Hollywood couple did not match the reality at home. Jack Cassidy was largely absent during his children's formative years as his wife and their mother, Shirley Jones, worked around the world. Shaun described the family life as highly presentational and said he essentially raised himself, with his mother stepping in for paternal duties when she could.

Shaun later found his own path, rising to fame in the late 1970s with a debut album that included a No. 1 hit and a regular role on a network mystery series. In the 1990s he shifted to writing and producing for television. After years away from major touring, he is set to launch his first major tour in 45 years, reuniting with audiences to perform his classic hits and material from his current projects, while relearning some of the songs that helped define his early career.

Offstage, Shaun said he has tried to stay connected with his mother, Shirley Jones, who remains in good health at 91. He described being there for his mother as a full-circle moment and said she needs only a little help. He noted that his mother's care has become a meaningful responsibility that he welcomes, underscoring the deep bond that persists beyond the spotlight.

The interview also touched on his brother David Cassidy, who rose to global fame in the 1970s and later faced his own struggles with staying seen beyond his Partridge Family persona. Shaun recalled David carrying a chip about being recognized for a TV role and his desire to be seen as more than a character, noting that David often imagined a broader musical identity for himself beyond television fame.

Looking back, Shaun said the experience of growing up in a family of show folk shaped him, but he cherishes the gifts his parents gave him and his own life in Hollywood. He emphasized that fame brought both opportunities and complexities, and he has chosen a path that blends creative work behind the scenes with meaningful family moments.