Shawn Ryan, the creator and visionary behind FX’s “The Shield” -- easily the grittiest, edgiest and most shocking police series to hit TV when it debuted in 2002 -- bears an uncanny resemblance to the series’ lead character, Det. Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis): both are bald and imposing, both are mavericks who have succeeded by doing things their own way, and Ryan’s wife Cathy Cahlin Ryan even plays Mackey’s wife, Corrine. But it’s there that the similarities likely end. Tough corrupt cop Mackey can declare the street as a major influence, where Ryan cites playwright David Mamet, with whom
Won a playwriting award in college that allowed him an opportunity to observe the writers room on the NBC sitcom "My Two Dads"; sold a story idea and earned first onscreen credit
Moved to Los Angeles
1996
Became a staff writer on the CBS series "Nash Bridges"
1999
Writer/producer on "Angel," (WB) the venerable spin-off of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
