Frankie Shaw is an American actress, writer, producer, and director. She grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, and graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University with a degree in English literature. Shaw first gained recognition in the completely improvised Sundance film, The Freebie. She is known for starring in, writing, and directing the short film SMILF in 2015, which was later developed into a television series in 2017 where she played Bridgette Bird on the Showtime series SMILF. As an actress, Shaw starred as Mary Jo Cacciatore on the TV series Blue Mountain State from 2010 to 2011. In 2014, she starred as Fabienne on the series Mixology. In 2015, Shaw starred as Shayla Nico on the television series Mr. Robot and in 2016 she starred as Naomi on the TV series Good Girls Revolt.
Frankie Shaw is an American actress, writer, producer, and director. As of March 17, 2025, Frankie Shaw’s estimated **net worth** is $3 million. This wealth primarily stems from her work in the entertainment industry, particularly her roles as an actress, writer, and director.
## Early Life and Career Beginnings
Frankie Shaw was born on November 11, 1986, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was raised in a Jewish household by a single mother, which she has said influenced her creative sensibilities. Shaw attended the University of Miami, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater. Later, she graduated from Barnard College with a degree in literature in 2007. Shaw began her acting career in 2005 with an appearance in *Law & Order: Criminal Intent*. Before achieving mainstream success, Shaw worked various jobs to support herself, including tutoring and working as an assistant. She recalls living “paycheck to paycheck” and “apartment to apartment” while pursuing her acting career and raising her child. Early in her career, Shaw received $3,000 for a series regular gig on *Mixology*, which she used to create *SMILF*.
## Key Roles and Income Sources
Frankie Shaw has built her **net worth** through a combination of acting, writing, producing, and directing. Some of her notable roles include:
* **Mary Jo Cacciatore in *Blue Mountain State***: Shaw starred in this TV series from 2010 to 2011. In season 2, Shaw starred as Mary Jo Cacciatore on the TV series *Blue Mountain State* from 2010 to 2011.
* **Fabienne in *Mixology***: In 2014, she appeared as Fabienne in the series *Mixology*.
* **Shayla Nico in *Mr. Robot***: Shaw played Shayla Nico in the television series *Mr. Robot* in 2015.
* **Naomi in *Good Girls Revolt***: In 2016, Shaw starred as Naomi in the TV series *Good Girls Revolt*.
Shaw’s work in these television series has contributed to her income through salary and residuals.
### *SMILF*: A Major Career Milestone
Shaw is best known for creating, writing, directing, and starring in the television series *SMILF*, which aired on Showtime from 2017 to 2019. The series was based on her short film of the same name, which won a Short Film Jury Prize at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
As the creator, writer, and star of *SMILF*, Shaw had multiple income streams from the show, including:
* **Acting Salary:** As the lead actress, Shaw received a salary per episode. While the exact figures are not publicly available, lead roles in critically acclaimed series can command substantial compensation.
* **Writing and Directing Fees:** Shaw also earned income for writing and directing episodes of *SMILF*. These fees would be in addition to her acting salary.
* **Producer Fees:** As an executive producer, Shaw received a percentage of the show’s overall profits. This could include revenue from initial broadcast rights, streaming deals, and international distribution.
*SMILF* earned Shaw a Golden Globe nomination.
## Film Appearances and Box Office Performance
Frankie Shaw has appeared in several films, contributing to her income and visibility. Some of her film credits include:
* *Just Like the Son*
* *Explicit Ills*
* *Falling Up*
* *The Freebie*
* *The End of Love*
* *Knife Fight*
* *The Pretty One*
* *Lullaby*
* *Someone Marry Barry*
* *Joshy*
* *Dreamland*
* *Stronger*
* *Absolution*
According to The Numbers, Frankie Shaw’s films have grossed over $12.3 million worldwide. As a supporting actress, her films have grossed $3,589,571 worldwide.
## Challenges and Recent Updates
Shaw’s career has faced challenges. Following complaints about the handling of nude scenes on set, ABC Studios conducted an investigation in 2018 and found no misconduct on Shaw’s part. However, in March 2019, *SMILF* was canceled, and her overall deal with ABC Studios was suspended without pay.
As of 2024, Frankie Shaw remains active in the entertainment industry, working on new projects in television and film. She also maintains a presence on social media, sharing updates about her life and work.
## Philanthropy and Advocacy
Frankie Shaw has used her platform to advocate for various causes, including single mothers, women in the entertainment industry, and mental health awareness.