Shaun Murphy

Grew up… unhappily in Caspar, Wyoming where he couldn’t wait to escape from his small town and cruel parents. Shaun is an autistic savant, capable of brilliant thoughts but he can also have difficulty connecting with people. His father considered him a freak, and they fought all the time. It got so bad that one day his enraged father threw his bunny across the room and killed it. For Shaun and his younger brother Steve, that was the last straw. They ran away from home when Shaun was 12. Unfortunately, Shaun’s brother ended up dying in a tragic accident, leaving Shaun to be raised alone in a foster home.  

Living… in a small apartment in San Jose, California. He lives with his single mattress, a couple other pieces of furniture on the floor of his living room, and a stray cat.

Profession… surgical resident at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Shaun was hired by the president of the hospital, Dr. Aaron Glassman, who has known Shaun since he was a teenager when he came into his doctor’s office to see if he could save his pet rabbit. Dr. Glassman has become a father figure to Shaun over the years and believes he has significant potential as a surgeon since he has almost perfect recall, incredible spatial intelligence, and remarkable analytical skills. But Shaun’s hiring was not welcomed by some of the other doctors at Bonaventure who doubt Shaun’s capabilities of interacting properly with patients.  

Interests… reading medical journals, following football, and watching reruns of old cop shows. 

Relationship Status… attracted to Lea, a neighbor who came by his place to ask for AAA batteries so she can continue playing Uncharted, a video game. Bubbly and warm, Lea has taught him to drive and encouraged him to sing karaoke. Though it seems clear to him that Lea just wants to be friends.

Challenge… feeling lonely. Given his autism and family background, Shaun has a harder time than most people when it comes to connecting socially. But he’s finding a few friends at the hospital—especially his mentor Dr. Aaron Glassman—who are helping him come out of his shell. Dr. Glassman has given him excellent advice: “Social interactions will happen again and again and again. It's statistically irrefutable. And if you learn how to get along with people a little bit better, you'll have a fuller life. A happier life.”

Personality… humble, intellectual, and driven. Shaun has so much to be cocky about—especially his genius IQ. Refreshingly, he is quite down to earth, even at times quite unsure of himself. He can empathize with his struggling patients since he has had significant challenges of his own. And he always says what he means. His patients are in good hands because he is a great doctor—not just a “Good Doctor.”