J. David Shanks started his professional acting career in 2002, when he appeared in Barbershop as Lamar. He reprised his role two years later in Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Shanks has also worked on TV shows like Close to Home, 24, and The Unit. In 2017, Shanks wrote an episode of Shots Fired where he also also had a role. Shanks continues to work as a director, writer and producer, mostly focusing on short films.