The Pitt star Shawn Hatosy is a doting father to three sons, and his eldest, Cassius, is hoping to follow in the Emmy winner’s footsteps, studying theater at the acclaimed Purchase College at SUNY’s conservatory.
But the 50-year-old actor has told HELLO! he fears for the 20-year-old, who is entering the industry at a time when auditioning has become “soul-crushing.”
“We’re at such a unique time in the business, and I think back to when I was my son’s age and going into auditions,” he says. “Seeing a room full of people and having to land this audition in one take? You become very clutch at it. It’s such a skill.”
“But now these kids are asked to make tapes, and I don’t know that this is necessarily the best way to do it. When directors see the tapes, they don’t know how long it took to make that tape; was it four hours, or was this the first take? How much support did they have? So, I hope that we get back into the rooms.”
Shawn had starred in the critically acclaimed Animal Kingdom and in 2024 had a guest role on Chicago PD, but was still a struggling working actor when he landed the role of Dr Jack Abbot on the HBO drama.
Cassius had a role in the premiere episode of Chicago Med‘s 11th season in 2025.
© NBCShawn, who is also dad to sons Leo and Finn, whom he welcomed with wife Kelly Albanese, says that the new way of auditioning may be “convenient” for producers and directors, but that it is a disservice to the next generation of actors, who will often never receive feedback on their tapes.
His advice? “The result can’t be getting the part,” Shawn says, suggesting that budding actors need to focus on the experience.
“You’re going to get such a small percentage of parts, even at the top level. I’ve made hundreds of tapes, and I don’t book from tape.”
© Warrick PageThe Pitt has become a launching pad for young actors, with Patrick Ball, Taylor Dearden, Gerran Howell, and Isa Briones among those who have become household names since season one.
Shawn says that he has conversations about the next generation with Noah Wyle, the executive producer and star of The Pitt, “all the time”.
“I love talking to Noah because he really is a serious actor who’s been through so many different stages, but he loves it and has got such a wonderful approach to it,” he says.
In The Pitt season two’s opening episode, eagle-eyed fans spotted Kelly in a guest role – Noah’s wife Sara Wyle, and Patrick’s partner Elysia Roorbach have also appeared – but would Shawn be open to seeing Cassius appear in season three, which is now in production?
“That would be a great idea. I would love that!” he says.
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