Kiki Shepard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kiki Shepard
Born	Chiquita Renee Shepard (1951-07-15)July 15, 1951 Tyler, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 16, 2026(2026-03-16) (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	Howard University (BBA)
Occupation	Television host, actress
Years active	1971–2026

Kiki Shepard (born Chiquita Renee Shepard on July 15, 1951, and who passed away on March 16, 2026) was a talented American television host and actress. Many people remember her best as the co-host of the famous show Showtime at the Apollo, a role she held from 1987 to 2002.

Kiki Shepard: A Star on Stage and Screen

Growing Up and Early Life

Kiki Shepard was born on July 15, 1951, in Tyler, Texas. Her parents, John Edward and Dorothy Hortense Shepard, were both very active. Her father coached high school baseball and basketball, and he had even played semiprofessional baseball. Her mother was a high school teacher who loved to sing and put on plays. Both of Kiki's parents were also champion competitive dancers!

Kiki had two sisters. Her older sister, Von Gretchen, became Miss Black America in 1974. Her younger sister, Cassandra Pia, works in the art world.

Kiki went to Emmett Scott High School, where she was a top student. She even received a scholarship from the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, which is a type of club for women in college. She also took part in beauty pageants, like the Tyler Junior Miss pageant in 1968.

Later, Kiki attended North Texas State University. She earned a degree in Business Administration from Howard University. While at Howard, she joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and was among the top students in her graduating class.

A Career in Dance and Acting

Kiki Shepard started her professional dance career in 1971, traveling around the world. While studying at Howard University, she became a founding member of the D. C. Repertory Dance Company. This dance group, which began as a small workshop, even performed at the World Festival of Black Arts in Lagos, Nigeria, in February 1977. Kiki described the group as "dynamite" because they connected with audiences and made a big impact in Washington.

Kiki's talent led her to perform in many important places. In 1976, she danced at the Delacourt Summer Shakespearean Festival in New York. She also performed in a play called Owens Song at the famous Kennedy Center. Her dancing skills were even featured on the 1977 Academy Awards television show.

Beyond dancing, Kiki was also a skilled actress and voice actor. She appeared in several Broadway shows during the 1970s and 1980s. Some of these popular productions included Bubbling Brown Sugar (1976), Comin' Uptown (1979), Reggae (1980), Your Arms Too Short to Box With God (1980, 1982), and Porgy and Bess (1983).

Kiki also made her mark in movies and television. She appeared in the classic film The Wiz in 1978. On television, she was widely known as the co-host of Showtime at the Apollo for 16 years. She also hosted Live in Hollywood and played the singer Trelawney in the show Thunder in Paradise.

In 2011, Kiki co-starred in a play called Single Black Female, which first opened in Wilmington, Delaware.

Remembering Kiki Shepard

Just before her passing, Kiki Shepard was honored at the International Women's Day Gospel Brunch on March 8, 2026. This special event took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Kiki Shepard passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, in Los Angeles, at the age of 74. She will be remembered for her many contributions to entertainment.

Kiki Shepard's Work on Screen

Here is a list of some of the television shows and films Kiki Shepard appeared in:

Kiki Shepard's Work on Stage

Kiki Shepard also had a successful career in live theater. Here are some of the Broadway shows she performed in: