Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress and singer. She’s known for her stage and screen performances. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress for her role in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Since 2021, she’s starred in the sitcom Abbott Elementary and won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role. She’s the first Black woman to win the award in 35 years.
Early Life
Sheryl Lee Ralph was born on December 30, 1956, in Waterbury, Connecticut to a Jamaican fashion designer named Ivy and a college professor named Stanley. Her younger sibling is the well-known actor and comedian, Michael. Ralph’s childhood was split between Mandeville, Jamaica, and Long Island, New York.
She attended Uniondale High School in the latter location, where she made her mark by playing a lead role in the school’s production of the musical “Oklahoma!” After attending Rutgers University, Ralph became the youngest woman to ever graduate at the age of 19.
She was also a recipient of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, being one of the first winners. Despite starting as a medicine major, she shifted her attention to the performing arts.
Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Acting Career
Sheryl Lee Ralph’s career took off in 1981 when she landed the role of Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls,” following her appearances in “Swing” and “Reggae.” Her performance in the highly praised show earned her nominations for both the Drama Desk and Tony Awards.
In 1977, Ralph made her debut in the film industry when she appeared in Sidney Poitier’s crime comedy “A Piece of the Action.” However, it wasn’t until 1988 that she had her next film credit, lending her voice to the character of Rita in Disney’s animated musical “Oliver & Company.”
The following year, she played the role of Denzel Washington’s police chief’s wife in the mystery comedy thriller “The Mighty Quinn.” In 1990, she gained recognition for her performance in Charles Burnett’s dark-comedic film “To Sleep with Anger,” which earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She then went on to star in various movies such as “Mistress,” “The Distinguished Gentleman,” “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” “The Flintstones,” and “White Man’s Burden.” During the latter part of the 1990s, Ralph appeared in films like “Bogus,” “Jamaica Beat,” “Unconditional Love,” and “Deterrence.”
During the 2000s, Sheryl Lee Ralph made fewer appearances in major films, with only a small number of credits to her name, including “Baby of the Family” and “Frankie D.” However, in the following decade, she had a notable presence in several comedies, such as “Christmas in Compton,” “Just Getting Started,” “Step Sisters,” and “The Comeback Trail.”
Ralph started acting on TV in the late 70s. He appeared in shows like “Baa Baa Black Sheep,” “A.E.S. Hudson Street,” “Good Times,” “Wonder Woman,” and “The Jeffersons.”
His first regular role was on the CBS soap opera “Search for Tomorrow” in 1983. He had a bigger role on the sitcom “It’s a Living” from 1986 to 1989, playing Ginger St. James in the final three seasons.
While on the show, Sheryl Lee Ralph also appeared in episodes of “L.A. Law” and “Amazing Stories.” In the ’90s, she was in “Falcon Crest” and had a main role in the short-lived sitcom “New Attitude.” She later played a recurring role in the final season of “Designing Women.”
After starring opposite George Foreman on the sitcom “George,” Keshia Knight Pulliam appeared in the TV film “Witch Hunt” and the medical drama “Street Gear.” From 1996 to 2001, Pulliam played Deidra Mitchell on the sitcom “Moesha,” earning five NAACP Image Award nominations.
In 2013, Sheryl Lee Ralph started a recurring role as Claudette Boone on “Ray Donovan” and a main role on “Instant Mom.” She also had recurring roles on “Criminal Minds,” “One Mississippi,” “MacGyver,” “The Quad,” “Claws,” and “Motherland: Fort Salem.”
In 2019, she starred in the CBS sitcom “Fam.” In 2021, she played Barbara Howard in the ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary.” She won an Emmy Award for her role in the show’s first season.
After her success in “Dreamgirls,” Ralph returned to Broadway to play Muzzy Van Hossmere in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Later, she played Madama Morrible in “Wicked” from 2016 to 2017. She also produced the 2021 play “Thoughts of a Colored Man.”
Husband & Kids
Sheryl Lee Ralph was previously wed to French entrepreneur Eric Maurice for eleven years, from 1990 to 2001, and together they have a son and a daughter born in 1992 and 1995 respectively.
On July 30, 2005, she entered into marriage with Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes. In July 2004, Ralph was bestowed with the title of honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority at their 47th National Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Net Worth
Sheryl Lee Ralph, an American singer, actress, and activist, has accumulated a net worth of $5 million. She rose to fame in 1981 with her portrayal of Deena Jones in the original run of the Broadway production “Dreamgirls.”
Throughout her career, she has appeared in numerous films, including “The Mighty Quinn,” “To Sleep with Anger,” “Mistress,” and “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.” Ralph has also made appearances on several television shows, such as “It’s a Living,” “Moesha,” and “Abbott Elementary.”
