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Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph - Philadelphia BME Leadership Awards (cropped).jpg
Ralph in 2012
Born (1956-12-30) December 30, 1956 (age 68)
Other names Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes
Education Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BFA)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active 1977–present
Known for Dreamgirls (Broadway; 1981)
It's a Living
Moesha
Motherland: Fort Salem
Abbott Elementary
Spouse(s)
Eric Maurice
(m. 1990; div. 2001)
(m. 2005)
Children 2

Sheryl Lee Ralph OJ (born December 30, 1956) is an American actress and singer. She is famous for her work on stage and in movies.

She became well-known for playing Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 1981. For this role, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Since 2021, she has starred as Barbara Howard in the ABC TV show Abbott Elementary. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for this role in 2022. She was the first Black woman in 35 years to win this award.

Sheryl Lee Ralph first appeared in a movie in 1977, in the comedy A Piece of the Action. In 1991, she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role in the film To Sleep with Anger. Other important movies she was in include The Mighty Quinn (1989) and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993).

On television, she had early guest roles in shows like Good Times and Wonder Woman. She also starred in the sitcoms It's a Living (1986–1989) and Moesha (1996–2001). Her role in Moesha earned her five NAACP Image Award nominations.

She has also performed in other Broadway shows, such as Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) and Wicked (2016–2017). She has also helped produce Broadway plays like Thoughts of a Colored Man (2021).

Early Life and Education

Sheryl Lee Ralph was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Her father, Stanley Ralph, was a college professor. Her mother, Ivy Ralph O.D., was a Jamaican fashion designer. Ivy Ralph created the kariba suit. Sheryl has a younger brother, Michael Ralph, who is an actor and comedian.

DNA tests show that she is partly from the Tikar people of Cameroon. She grew up in both Mandeville, Jamaica, and Long Island. She went to Uniondale High School in Uniondale, New York. In high school, she played Ado Annie in the musical Oklahoma!.

Sheryl graduated from high school in 1972. Earlier that year, she was crowned Miss Black Teen-age New York. At 19, she was the youngest person to graduate from Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, she won an Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Glamour magazine also named her one of the top ten college women in America. She first wanted to study medicine. However, after winning an acting scholarship, she decided to pursue performing arts. She later gave the graduation speech at Rutgers in 2003 and again in 2023.

Career Highlights

Starting Her Acting Journey (1977–1989)

Sheryl lee Ralph in 1997
Ralph in 1997

Sheryl Lee Ralph began her career in the 1970s. She starred in the 1977 crime comedy film A Piece of the Action, directed by Sidney Poitier. She also appeared in TV shows like Good Times and Wonder Woman.

In 1980, she joined the Broadway show Reggae. Then, in 1981, she played Deena Jones in the original Broadway musical Dreamgirls. While performing in Dreamgirls, she also acted in the CBS soap opera Search for Tomorrow. In 1982, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in Dreamgirls.

After her success, she released her only studio album, In the Evening, in 1984. The main song from the album, "In the Evening," reached No. 5 on the Billboard Dance Music chart. She then got the main role of Ginger St. James in the TV series It's a Living. In 1988, she voiced Rita, a sassy Afghan Hound, in the Disney film Oliver & Company. Her first main movie role was in The Mighty Quinn (1989), where she played Denzel Washington's wife.

Film and TV Roles (1990–2020)

In 1990, Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the ABC sitcom New Attitude. The next year, she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for the drama film To Sleep with Anger. In 1992, she starred with Robert De Niro in Mistress. That same year, she appeared on Designing Women and co-starred with Eddie Murphy in The Distinguished Gentleman. She also played Florence Watson in the 1993 film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.

Her role as Dee Mitchell in Moesha (1996–2001) earned her five nominations for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. During the 1990s, she also had roles in The Flintstones and voiced Cheetah in Justice League. Sheryl Lee Ralph also created "Divas Simply Singing," an important event that raises money for AIDS research. She also appeared in the Showtime series Barbershop.

Philadelphia BME Leadership Awards - Flickr - Knight Foundation (7)
Ralph in 2012

In 2009, she joined the cast of the musical The First Wives Club. In 2011, she voiced Amanda Waller in Young Justice. In 2013, she appeared in the NBC show Smash as Cynthia, the mother of Jennifer Hudson's character. She also appeared in Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn in 2014. Some of her recent TV roles include Claws and Instant Mom. From 2019, she was a main character in the TV series Fam.

Abbott Elementary and Recent Achievements (2021–Present)

In 2021, Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the popular sitcom Abbott Elementary. She plays Barbara Howard, an experienced elementary school teacher. For this role, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022. She also won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023.

In October 2022, she received the Order of Jamaica from the governor-general for her contributions to film. In 2023, Ralph sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (the Black national anthem) at the Super Bowl LVII pre-show. Later that year, she became the first celebrity and first Black person to play Mrs. Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In 2024, she sang for President Joe Biden at a fundraiser. She also joined Vice President Kamala Harris for a campaign event. In December 2024, she was named "Person of the Year" by Jamaicans.com and "The Advocate's 2024 Advocate of the Year" for her work helping different communities.

Personal Life

Sheryl Lee Ralph was married to Eric Maurice from 1990 to 2001. They have two children, a son born in 1991 and a daughter born in 1994. She married Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes on July 30, 2005.

In 2004, she became an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. In 2008, Tougaloo College gave her an honorary doctorate degree. In 2023, her alma mater, Rutgers University, also gave her an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1977 A Piece of the Action Barbara Hanley
1988 Oliver & Company Rita (voice)
1989 The Mighty Quinn Lola Quinn
Skin Deep Rose the Receptionist
1990 To Sleep with Anger Linda
1992 Mistress Beverly
The Distinguished Gentleman Miss Loretta
1993 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Florence Watson
1994 The Flintstones Mrs. Reneè Pyrite
1995 White Man's Burden Roberta Wellison
Lover's Knot Charlotte Lee
1996 Bogus Ruth Clark
1997 Jamaica Beat Sylvia Jones
1998 The Easter Story Keepers Risa (voice) Video
Secrets - Short
1999 Personals Chantal Jones
Unconditional Love Linda Cray
Deterrence Gayle Redford
2000 Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel Nurse Betty Redford
2007 Frankie D Mama D
2010 Pastor Jones: The Complete First Season Mother Kelly Video
The Cost of Heaven Paulette Randolph
Blessed and Cursed Lady Elise Wright Also executive producer
2012 Christmas in Compton Abuta
He Knows My Heart First Lady Jameson Short
2017 Just Getting Started Roberta
2018 Step Sisters Yvonne Bishop
2020 The Comeback Trail Bess Jones
2021 Prepared Dr. Richards Short
2023 The Young Wife Angelique
2024 The Fabulous Four Kitty Also executive producer
2025 Ricky Joanne Completed

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1978 Baa Baa Black Sheep Elizabeth Episode: "A Little Bit of England"
A.E.S. Hudson Street Nurse Episode: "Shut Down"
Husbands, Wives & Lovers Joelle Episode: "Murray Gets Sacked and Paula Gets Hired"
Good Times Vanessa Blake Episode: "J.J and the Plumber's Helper"
The Krofft Comedy Hour Various Characters Television film
1979 Wonder Woman Bobbie Episode: "The Starships Are Coming"
The Jeffersons Jeanie Episode: "Louise's Convention"
1982 The Neighborhood Doris Campbell Television film
1983 The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon Herself Episode: "1983"
Search for Tomorrow Laura McCarthy Regular cast
1984 V: The Series Glenna Episode: "The Overload"
1985 Code Name: Foxfire Maggie Bryan Main cast
1986 Hunter Josie Clifford Episode: "The Return of Typhoon Thompson"
Pros and Cons Roberta Television film
1986–89 It's a Living Ginger St. James Main cast (season 4-6)
1987 Wordplay Herself/Celebrity Panelist Recurring guest
L.A. Law Renee Quintana Episode: "Beef Jerky"
Amazing Stories Show Singer Episode: "Gershwin's Trunk"
Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies Corelle Television film
1988 Family Feud Herself/Celebrity Contestant Episode: "All Star Special: Funny Women vs. Funny Men Game 1-3"
1990 Falcon Crest Mooshy Tucker Recurring cast (season 9)
New Attitude Vicki St. James Main cast
1991 The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw Miss Rosalee Television film
1992 An Evening at the Improv Herself/Host Episode: "Episode #9.6"
1992–93 Designing Women Etienne Toussaint Bouvier Recurring cast (season 7)
1993 No Child of Mine Marjorie Duncan Television film
1993–94 George Maggie Foster Main cast
1994 Witch Hunt Hypolita Laveau Kropotkin Television film
1994–96 Soul Train Herself/Guest Host 2 episodes
1995 Street Gear Sarah Davis Main cast
1996–2001 Moesha Deidra "Dee" Mitchell (née Moss) Main cast (season 1-5), recurring cast (season 6)
1997 Wild On! Herself Episode: "Wild on Jamaica"
1997–2000 Recess Mrs. LaSalle (voice) Guest cast (season 1 & 4)
1998 The Wild Thornberrys Lioness #2 (voice) Episode: "Flood Warning"
1999 The Directors Herself Episode: "The Films of Norman Jewison"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Zsa Zsa Goowhiggie Episode: "What Price Harvey?"
The Parkers Dee Mitchell Episode: "Daddy's Girl"
1999–2001 Hollywood Squares Herself/Panelist Recurring guest
2000–01 The District Lt. Dee Banks Recurring cast (season 1)
2001 The Test Herself/Panelist 1 episode
The Jennie Project Dr. Pamela Prentiss Television film
2002 Justice League Cheetah/Barbara Ann Minerva (voice) Episode: "Injustice for All"
The Proud Family Diana Parker (voice) Guest cast (season 1-2)
2002–03 Static Shock Trina Jessup (voice) Recurring cast (season 2)
2003 Whoopi Florence Episode: "She Ain't Heavy, She's My Partner"
Las Vegas Janet Ellis Episode: "Luck Be a Lady"
2004 Justice League Unlimited Cheetah/Barbara Ann Minerva (voice) Episode: "Kids' Stuff"
2005 Barbershop Claire Recurring cast
2006 Real Life Divas Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph"
7th Heaven Nurse Yvonne Rockwell Episode: "And Baby Makes Three"
ER Gloria Gallant Recurring cast (season 12)
2007 Exes and Ohs Reverend Ruby Episode: "There Must Be Rules..."
2008 Baisden After Dark Herself Episode: "Has Black Comedy Become a Hot Ghetto Mess?"
My Super Sweet 16 Herself Episode: "Etienne"
Hannah Montana Clarice Johnson Episode: "We're All on This Date Together"
2009 Beverly Hills Groomer Herself Episode: "Grooming Up"
2010 E! True Hollywood Story Herself Episode: "Usher"
Inside Herself/Narrator Episode: "Polygamy: Life in Bountiful"
Running Russell Simmons Herself Episode: "You Only Live Once"
Zevo-3 Grams (voice) Episode: "Control"
2011, 2019 Young Justice Amanda Waller (voice) 2 episodes
2011 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Felicia Episode: "The Rich and Payneless"
2013 Life After Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph: Life After Dreamgirls"
Smash Cynthia Moore Episode: "The Song"
JD Lawrence's Community Service Carolyn Main cast
2013–15 Instant Mom Maggie Turner Main cast
2013–20 Ray Donovan Claudette Boone Recurring cast (season 1-2 & 7)
2014 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "Shade: The Rusical"
Oprah: Where Are They Now? Herself Episode: "Darva Conger, Brigitte Nielsen & Original Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph"
2 Broke Girls Genét Bromberg Episode: "And the Not Broke Parents"
One Love Carolyn Winters Main cast
See Dad Run Vanessa Ralph Guest cast (season 2-3)
Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn Ms. Edin Dumont Episode: "The Sad Tail of Gary-Chip-Tiny-Elvis-Squishy-Paws"
2015 Unsung Herself Episode: "Jennifer Holliday"
2016 Being Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph"
Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph"
Criminal Minds Hayden Montgomery Recurring cast (season 11)
2017 Brunch with Tiffany Herself Episode: "Episode Two: Sheryl Lee Ralph"
One Mississippi Felicia Hollingsworth Recurring cast (season 2)
Christmas at Holly Lodge Nadine Television film
2017–19 MacGyver Mama Emma Colton Guest cast (season 1-3)
2018 We Are Washington Herself Episode: "The Wedding Experience & Groom and Grub"
The Quad Ula Pettiway Recurring cast (season 2)
Claws Matilde Ruval Recurring cast (season 2)
No Sleep 'Til Christmas Mrs. Wright Television film
2019 Diva Defined Herself/Host Main host
Fam Rose Main cast
A Black Lady Sketch Show Asia's Mother Episode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade"
Christmas Hotel Marnie Television film
2020 Fashionably Yours Janet Television film
Christmas Comes Twice Miss Nelson Television film
2020–22 Motherland: Fort Salem President Kelly Wade Recurring cast
2021 History of the Sitcom Herself Recurring guest
Christmas in My Heart Ruthie Sampson Television film
2021–present Abbott Elementary Barbara Howard Main cast
2022 Soul of a Nation Herself Episode: "X / o n e r a t e d – The Murder of Malcolm X and 55 Years to Justice"
Celebrity Family Feud Herself/Contestant Episode: "Abbott Elementary vs. Hacks and Kal Penn vs. Erika Christensen"
How We Roll Loretta Episode: "The Big Secret"
2023 Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Herself/Contestant Episode: "Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Chris Perfetti"
Praise Petey Boss (voice) Episode: "Taxi to the South!"
Young Love Additional voices 2 episodes
Bob's Burgers Esmeralda (voice) Episode: "The Amazing Rudy"
2025 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Barbara Howard Episode: "TBA"

Documentary

Year Title Role Notes
2011 Kiss and Tell: The History of Black Romance in Movie Narrator
2016 Struggle and Triumph: The Legacy of George Washington Carver Narrator Short

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2010 BioShock 2 Grace Holloway Voice role

Stage Work

Year Title Role Notes
1980 Swing Helen
Reggae Faith Original Broadway production
1981 Dreamgirls Deena Jones Original Broadway production
2002 Thoroughly Modern Millie Muzzy Van Hossmere Original Broadway production
2016–17 Wicked Madame Morrible Replacement
2021 Goosebumps The Musical Miss Walker Original studio cast recording
Thoughts of a Colored Man Producer; Original Broadway production
2022 Ohio State Murders Producer; Original Broadway production

Music Albums and Singles

Albums

  • In the Evening (1984, The New York Music Company)
  • Sleigh. (2022)

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Dance

US
R&B

AUS
BEL
(FL)

NLD
UK
"When I First Saw You" 1983 50 non-album single
"In the Evening" 1984 6 16 18 64 In the Evening
"You're So Romantic" 1985 37 84
"In the Evening (Remix)" 1997 17 non-album single
"Evolution (Remix)" 1998
"Here Comes the Rain Again" 1999 37 44
"Blood Sweat & Tears (from the series Arcane League of Legends)" 2024

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1982 Tony Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical Dreamgirls Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
1989 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture The Mighty Quinn Nominated
1990 Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Female To Sleep with Anger Won
1998 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Moesha Nominated
1999 Nominated
2000 Nominated
2001 Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress Deterrence Nominated
2002 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Moesha Nominated
2022 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Abbott Elementary Nominated
Peabody Award Entertainment Won
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Creative Coalition TV Humanitarian Award Herself Won
Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award Won
2023 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress - Television Series Abbott Elementary Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
Dorian Awards Best Supporting TV Performance - Comedy Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Performance, Comedy Series Won
2024 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Daytime Special Unexpected (as executive producer) Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Abbott Elementary Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sheryl Lee Ralph para niños

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