Jackée Harry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackée Harry
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Harry at a December 2010 performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker
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| Born |
Jacqueline Yvonne Harry
August 14, 1956 |
| Education | Long Island University, Post (BA) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | 1987 – Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Sandra Clark (227) 1999 – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Lisa Landry (Sister, Sister) 2000 – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Lisa Landry (Sister, Sister) |
Jacqueline Yvonne "Jackée" Harry (born August 14, 1956) is a famous American actress, comedian, and TV personality. She is best known for her roles as Sandra Clark on the TV show 227 (1985–1990) and as Lisa Landry on Sister, Sister (1994–1999). Jackée Harry made history as the first African-American to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
She also appeared in the 1992 movie Ladybugs with Rodney Dangerfield. Since 2021, she has been playing Paulina Price on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Contents
Jackée Harry's Early Life and Education
Jackée Harry was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1956. She grew up in Harlem, New York. Her mother was from Trinidad, and her father was African American.
She started learning acting at the High School of the Performing Arts in New York City. After high school, Jackée went to Long Island University. She earned a degree in education. Before becoming an actress, she worked as an American history teacher for two years at Brooklyn Technical High School.
Jackée Harry's Acting Career
Jackée Harry has had a long and successful career in theater, movies, and television.
Starting Out in Theater
In 1978, Jackée Harry first appeared on Broadway in a show called A Broadway Musical. During the 1980s, she performed in many plays. These included shows on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in touring productions across the country.
In 1994, she returned to the stage. She played the famous singer Billie Holiday in a play called Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She also acted in the Broadway musical The Boys from Syracuse. In the mid-2000s, she was in plays like The Sunshine Boys and A Christmas Carol.
Television Roles and Success
Jackée Harry first appeared on TV in 1983. She played Lily Mason on the show Another World. She was on this show until 1986. In 1984, she also had small parts in the movies Moscow on the Hudson and The Cotton Club.
Her big break came in 1985. She joined the cast of the NBC sitcom 227 as Sandra Clark. Her character was a rival to Mary Jenkins, played by Marla Gibbs. Jackée's performance on 227 was so popular that NBC tried to create a spin-off show just for her, called Jackée. Even though the pilot episode was a hit, the show didn't continue. The pilot is now shown as an episode of 227.
After 227, Jackée Harry starred with Oprah Winfrey in The Women of Brewster Place in 1989. In 1991, she joined the cast of The Royal Family. This was after the show's star, Redd Foxx, sadly passed away. She acted alongside Della Reese on the show.
From 1994 to 1999, Jackée Harry played Lisa Landry on the popular sitcom Sister, Sister. She played the adoptive mother of Tia Mowry's character. She also had a recurring role as Vanessa on Everybody Hates Chris.
More recently, in 2020, Jackée Harry announced she was joining the cast of the soap opera Days of Our Lives. She plays the character Paulina Price. She became a regular cast member when the show was renewed in 2021.
Jackée Harry's Personal Life
Jackée Harry has one child. She was married to Jerry Jemmott from 1980 to 1984. In 1996, she married Elgin Charles Williams. They adopted a son named Frank in 1997. They later divorced in 2003.
Jackée Harry's Awards
Jackée Harry has won several important awards for her acting.
- In 1987, she won an Emmy Award for her role as Sandra Clark on 227. She was the first African-American actress to win this award.
- She also won two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1999 and 2000. These awards were for her role as Lisa Landry on Sister, Sister.
Film and Television Appearances
Jackée Harry has appeared in many movies and TV shows throughout her career. Here are some of her notable roles:
Movies
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Moscow on the Hudson | Jackee |
| 1992 | Ladybugs | Julie Benson |
| 2004 | You Got Served | Elizabeth "Mama' Smith |
| 2010 | Christmas Cupid | Vivian |
| 2015 | The Man in 3B | Miss Gina Bertha |
| 2021 | Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas | Paulina Price |
Television Shows
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–1986 | Another World | Lily Mason | Regular Cast |
| 1985–1989 | 227 | Sandra Clark | Main Cast |
| 1989 | The Women of Brewster Place | Etta Mae Johnson | Miniseries |
| 1991–1992 | The Royal Family | Ruth 'CoCo' Royal | Main Cast |
| 1994–1999 | Sister, Sister | Lisa Landry | Main Cast |
| 2005 | That's So Raven | Dava | Guest role |
| 2006–2009 | Everybody Hates Chris | Vanessa | Recurring role |
| 2012–2015 | The First Family | Pauletta Birdsong | Main Cast |
| 2014–2015 | Girl Meets World | Evelyn Rand | Recurring role |
| 2021–present | Days of Our Lives | Paulina Price | Regular Cast |
