Shaw was particularly known for his performances in productions of Shakespeare plays which were considered daring and ahead of their time. In 1966, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he remained for a decade and delivered some of his most acclaimed performances. He also wrote several poems and a novel, "The Christening", in 1975. In 1983, he appeared in the third installment of the original "Star Wars" Trilogy, "Return of the Jedi", in a brief but significant role as the redeemed Anakin Skywalker, as well as Skywalker's ghost in the original version of the film.