# Erica Shaffer
**Erica Shaffer** (born 1970) is an American actress, voice performer, and commercial spokesperson known for a recurring role on the ABC drama *Scandal*, recurring roles on [Bounce TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/bounce-tv)'s *Family Time*, and appearances in at least 200 commercials and infomercials.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970, San Diego, California[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/erica_shaffer) |
| Training | BFA in Acting, United States International University, San Diego (magna cum laude); MFA in Acting, University of Arizona; trained with the California Ballet Company[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/) • [3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica) |
| Signature TV work | Recurring on *Scandal* (all seven seasons) and *Family Time*; episodes of *Station 19*, *9-1-1*, *The Orville*, *This Is Us*, *Mad Men*, and *Dexter*[4](https://www.ericashaffer.com/pressrelease1-14-19.pdf) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/) |
| Commercial work | Estimates at least 200 commercials and infomercials in a single decade, for brands including Fidelity Investments, 7UP, Sherwin Williams, Honda, and Dodge[5](https://www.ericashaffer.com/fidelity.html) • [3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica) |
| Voice work | English-language roles in anime including *Paranoia Agent*, *Ikki Tousen*, and *Amazing Nurse Nanako*; documentary narration for The Learning Channel and The History Channel[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica) |
| Other work | Spokesperson and host expert in TelePrompTer; private speech coach on the Westside of Los Angeles[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/) |
| Family | Married James Paola on October 31, 2003; one child[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/) |
## Early life and training
Shaffer was born and raised in San Diego, California. She grew up dancing with the California Ballet Company, and in a 2012 interview described the discipline of company ballet, taking direction from a young age without complaint, as the foundation of her professional habits[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/) • [5](https://www.ericashaffer.com/fidelity.html). She danced from age 6 until age 26 and earned a BFA in Acting from United States International University in San Diego and an MFA in Acting from the [University of Arizona](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-arizona)[5](https://www.ericashaffer.com/fidelity.html) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/). Her stage work included lead roles in *The Grapes of Wrath*, *Harvey*, *Lysistrata*, and *The Merchant of Venice*[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica).
## Screen career
Shaffer's early screen credits include the films *Three on a Match* (1998), *Catalina Trust* (1999), *The Socratic Method* (2001), and *A Family Affair* (2001), and episodic television roles on *Night Man*, *[Hang Time](https://www.edgepedia.org/hang-time-tv-series)*, *Charmed*, *Drake & Josh*, and *The King of Queens*[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica). Later film work includes *Detention* (2011), *Counting for Thunder* (2015), *By Design* (2020), and a Tournament Official in *King Richard* (2021)[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/erica_shaffer).
**Television.** She appeared on all seven seasons of ABC's *[Scandal](https://www.edgepedia.org/scandal-tv-series)* in a recurring capacity, playing roles including Reporter Julia and a TV anchor[4](https://www.ericashaffer.com/pressrelease1-14-19.pdf) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/). In January 2019 she debuted in season 2 of FOX's *The Orville* as Obstetric Surgeon #1 and was filming season 2 of *9-1-1*[4](https://www.ericashaffer.com/pressrelease1-14-19.pdf). Her other credits include *Station 19*, *S.W.A.T.*, *The Fugitive*, *This Is Us*, *Hawaii Five-0*, *Scorpion*, *Atypical*, *American Vandal*, *Mad Men*, *Dexter*, and *Days of Our Lives*[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/). On Bounce TV's *Family Time* she played Vivian Stallworth across 14 episodes from 2012 to 2019[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/).
## Commercials and voice work
Shaffer has appeared in hundreds of commercials, estimating at least 200 commercials and infomercials in a single decade, a volume that led one profile to call her one of the most recognizable faces on television[5](https://www.ericashaffer.com/fidelity.html). Her commercial clients have included [Fidelity Investments](https://www.edgepedia.org/fidelity-investments), Sherwin Williams paint, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Mervyn's, J. C. Penney, Honda, and Dodge[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica). She was nominated at the 2011 Moxie Awards as Best Female Presenter for her infomercial work[6](https://www.islandconnections.com/edit/erica-shaffer.htm).
Her voice-over work includes English-language roles in anime: Harumi Chono and Maria in *Paranoia Agent* ([Cartoon Network](https://www.edgepedia.org/cartoon-network), 2004), Kanu Uncho in *[Ikki Tousen](https://www.edgepedia.org/ikki-tousen)*, and Kaoru Satsuki in *Amazing Nurse Nanako*, among others, plus narration for documentary specials on The Learning Channel and The History Channel[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica). She also hosted *Vacation Challenge* on the [Travel Channel](https://www.edgepedia.org/travel-channel) and *Open Call* on the TV Guide Channel[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica).
## Personal life
Shaffer married James Paola on October 31, 2003, and they have one child[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/). She lives in Los Angeles, works as a private speech and acting coach, and has completed 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/) • [4](https://www.ericashaffer.com/pressrelease1-14-19.pdf). She is a member of [SAG-AFTRA](https://www.edgepedia.org/sag-aftra) and [Actors' Equity Association](https://www.edgepedia.org/actors-equity-association)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/).
## References
1. [Erica Shaffer, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/erica_shaffer)
2. [Erica Shaffer, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787307/)
3. [Shaffer, Erica, Encyclopedia.com (Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television)](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/shaffer-erica)
4. [Erica Shaffer joins Season 2 of "The Orville" & Season 2 of "911" on FOX, PRLog (January 14, 2019)](https://www.ericashaffer.com/pressrelease1-14-19.pdf)
5. [The most famous TV star you've never heard of!, HLN via ericashaffer.com (October 22, 2012)](https://www.ericashaffer.com/fidelity.html)
6. [Erica Shaffer – Most Recognized Woman on TV, Island Connections](https://www.islandconnections.com/edit/erica-shaffer.htm)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames Sh to So*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license