Nanocomposites of poly (L-Lactic acid) (PLLA)/ graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were prepared through solvent casting method. The effect of GNP on the crystallinity and the shape memory properties of PLLA was studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) were utilized to characterize the crystalline structure of PLLA and its nanocomposites. To study shape memory properties, three actuating method of direct heating, infrared optically heating and electrically resistive heating were employed. DSC and WAXS results of nanocomposites revealed crystallinity enhancement at low GNP fractions (<2 wt %) due to nucleating effect of GNP particles. For actuating shape memory effect by electricity, GNP content should be passed the percolation threshold which was around 2.7 vol%. Shape memory performance of PLLA improved in nanocomposites owing to faster and more uniform heat conductivity as a result of GNP existence. In infrared triggering, shape memory improvement was achieved due to much higher infrared energy absorption of GNP particles. Infrared and electrically activated shape memory PLLA can be developed for remote shape control of smart materials.