After graduating from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, in 1989 with a degree in marketing, he moved to Chicago to pursue an acting career.

In 1999, he had a recurring role in The WB television series Charmed as Josh, the love interest of Piper Halliwell, played by Holly Marie Combs.

In his most notable television role, Christian played doctor Daniel Jonas on Days of Our Lives from 2008 to 2017.

[7] The two acted together in the television series Summerland and the Hallmark Channel made-for-tv film Ruby Herring Mysteries: Silent Witness.

On August 5, 2020, Shawn confirmed on The Locher Room show that he and Days of Our Lives star Arianne Zucker have been dating for several years.