
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O’Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O’Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Shaquille O’Neal is back at it again, diving into yet another side quest. But this time, it’s not just a quick cameo or a fun little experiment—it’s something much bigger. You’ve seen him try his hand at different sports, step into the WWE ring, and turn DJing into more than just a hobby. Now, he’s making waves in the entertainment world once again.
The latest buzz comes straight from a recent post on X, showing videos and snaps from the set of a show streaming on none other than Amazon Prime Video—the platform backed by the $2.30 trillion company that is Amazon. “On the set of Gravesend 3, surrounded by basketball legend and sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal and talented actor Willie DeMeo, we are confidently filming a segment inside the New Lots Social Club. The energy is electric, and this shoot is shaping up to be something special,” one of the crew members shared on X.
On the set of Gravesend 3, surrounded by basketball legend and sports analyst Shaquille O'Neal and talented actor Willie De Mio, we are confidently filming a segment inside the New Lots Social Club. The energy is electric, and this shoot is shaping up to be something special! pic.twitter.com/Kv8bW1lr01
— Behind the lens (@arthur067289769) February 23, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
If this sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. Shaq was previously spotted in Rockland County in September last year for the shooting of the same show. And it turns out, this wasn’t just a one-time guest appearance. According to reports, the NBA legend was cast as a regular for Gravesend Season 3 after openly expressing his love for the show. His character? A man named Mustafa. And if his presence on set was anything to go by, Shaq made sure everyone felt his larger-than-life warmth. Fellow Gravesend actor and Rockland local Paul Borghese had nothing but praise for him.
“I’ve never met anybody so famous that was so generous with his time. Even though he was working—had a lot of responsibility—he was taking pictures with everyone.” For those who haven’t tuned in yet, Gravesend is a crime drama set in 1980s Brooklyn, following William DeMeo’s character, Benny Zerletta, as he navigates life in an Italian American crime family. The third season is set to drop in 2025, but if you’re curious, past seasons are already streaming on Prime Video.
But you won’t find Big Diesel in the previous seasons as season 3 marks his debut on the show. However, fans can always go back to watching Shaq Steel to get a glimpse of O’Neal’s acting. Something that the 4x NBA champ has been quite confident about in the past.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Shaquille O’Neal on becoming the next The Rock of the Hollywood
Big Diesel has never been one to think small. Whether it was dominating the NBA or stepping into the entertainment world, he’s always had a larger-than-life presence. And when it comes to Hollywood, he has his sights set on following the blueprint of none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
What’s your perspective on:
Can Shaq really become the next Rock, or is he just dreaming big in Hollywood?
Have an interesting take?
If there’s one thing The Rock has proved, it’s that the film industry loves a superstar with something special. Shaq, who’s already made a name for himself in TV appearances and cameos, sees himself making a similar leap—specifically in action-thriller comedies. He made this clear in a 2018 interview when asked about his Hollywood ambitions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“We come from the same place: athletes that transition. That’s my goal. I want similar-type movies. I want to get thrillers. And I want to get dramas. I want to do comedies, I want to be the next Rock. I want to do a thriller where I’m like a hero and beat up all the bad guys,” Shaq said.
That’s a bold goal, considering The Rock’s box office dominance. Johnson has carved out his own space in Hollywood, even landing a role in the superhero world with Black Adam. The reviews might not have been all flowers and roses, but the success was still something Shaq would’ve wanted when he stepped into the superhero genre with Shaq Steel. Clearly, the road is long enough but it’s good to see Shaquille O’Neal traveling strong.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Debate
Can Shaq really become the next Rock, or is he just dreaming big in Hollywood?