Hollywood has lost one of its familiar faces. Paula Shaw, the actress best remembered for her warm roles in Hallmark holiday classics and her chilling performance as Pamela Voorhees in the cult horror film *Freddy vs. Jason*, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025. She was 84.
Shaw’s death was announced by *The Max*, a personal development workshop she led for over three decades. In a heartfelt statement, the group praised her lifelong devotion to guiding others: “Paula touched countless lives through The MAX, the Mastery, and her transformational work. Her legacy lives on in the communities she created and the lives she changed.”
Born in New York City in 1941, Shaw built a career that showcased both her versatility as an actress and her resilience in a tough industry. She began her journey on the stage, starring in Gus Weill’s play *Geese* after moving to Los Angeles, and quickly earned her place in the prestigious Actors Studio. From there, she became a familiar face on some of television’s most iconic shows of the 1970s and ’80s, including *The Bob Newhart Show*, *Three’s Company*, *Lou Grant*, *Ironside*, and *Barney Miller.*
Her Hollywood career blossomed as she landed film roles alongside major stars. She appeared in *The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas* with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, later joining casts that included Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron (*Reindeer Games*), Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank (*Insomnia*). Yet for many horror fans, Shaw became unforgettable in 2003 when she took over the role of Pamela Voorhees in *Freddy vs. Jason*, breathing new life into one of cinema’s most recognizable villains.
In later years, Shaw became a fixture of Hallmark’s programming, where she cemented her reputation as a warm, grandmotherly presence in family-friendly entertainment. She starred as Charlotte Jeffers in *Cedar Cove* and went on to appear in beloved holiday films such as *Five Star Christmas*, *It Was Always You*, Debbie Macomber’s *A Mrs. Miracle Christmas*, *Hanukkah on Rye,* and *Round and Round.* For audiences seeking wholesome, comforting stories, Shaw’s presence became part of what made Hallmark’s brand so enduring.
Fellow Hallmark star Julie Sherman Wolfe remembered Shaw with affection, recalling their personal conversations outside of work. “So sad to hear about Paula Shaw’s passing,” Wolfe shared. “We often chatted on FaceTime after she filmed *Hanukkah on Rye,* mostly about our shared heritage (and trying to figure out if we were related!). We never found out, but it didn’t matter—she will always be one of my honorary bubbies.”
Beyond her career, Shaw’s work in personal development through *The Max* showed a commitment to mentorship and inspiration. The Esalen Institute, where she taught for more than 30 years, remembered her course as one of its most dynamic and challenging offerings—a reflection of her bold spirit and unshakable presence.
Paula Shaw’s passing marks the end of a career that spanned generations, genres, and audiences. From stage to screen, from horror classics to heartwarming holiday films, she left an imprint that will not be forgotten. She is remembered not only for her talent, but also for her character, her resilience, and her ability to touch lives both on and off the screen.
