Sheryl Lee Ralph is a highly acclaimed American actress and singer celebrated for her powerful performances on both stage and screen. Her breakthrough role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls" earned her a Tony Award nomination in 1981. More recently, she garnered widespread recognition and a historic Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Barbara Howard in the popular ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary." This landmark achievement marked her as the first Black woman in 35 years to receive the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
December 30, 1956: Sheryl Lee Ralph's Birth
Sheryl Lee Ralph was born on December 30, 1956.
1972: High School Graduation and Miss Black Teen-age New York
Sheryl Lee Ralph graduated from high school and was crowned Miss Black Teen-age New York in 1972.
1977: Film Debut
Sheryl Lee Ralph made her film screen debut in the comedy film A Piece of the Action in 1977.
1980: Reggae Debut
Sheryl Lee Ralph landed a role in the Broadway production Reggae in 1980.
1981: Dreamgirls Debut
Sheryl Lee Ralph rose to fame for her role as Deena Jones in the original Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 1981.
1982: Tony Award Nomination
Sheryl Lee Ralph was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Dreamgirls in 1982.
1984: In the Evening Release
Sheryl Lee Ralph released her only studio album, In the Evening, in 1984.
1986: It's a Living Premiere
Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the cast of the ABC sitcom It's a Living in 1986.
1987: Jackée Harry Wins First Emmy for Black Actress in Category
Jackée Harry became the first Black actress to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987 for her role on 227.
1988: Oliver & Company Release
Sheryl Lee Ralph voiced Rita in the Disney film Oliver & Company, which was released in 1988.
1989: The Mighty Quinn Release
The Mighty Quinn, starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, was released in 1989.
1989: It's a Living Ends
Sheryl Lee Ralph's run on the sitcom It's a Living ended in 1989.
1990: Marriage to Eric Maurice
Sheryl Lee Ralph married French businessman Eric Maurice in 1990.
1990: To Sleep with Anger Release
Sheryl Lee Ralph starred in the comedy-drama film To Sleep with Anger in 1990.
1990: New Attitude Premiere
The ABC sitcom New Attitude, starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, premiered in 1990.
1991: Independent Spirit Award Win
Sheryl Lee Ralph won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her performance in the 1990 comedy-drama film To Sleep with Anger in 1991.
1992: Mistress and The Distinguished Gentleman Roles
In 1992, Sheryl Lee Ralph starred in the films Mistress and The Distinguished Gentleman.
1992: Birth of Son
Sheryl Lee Ralph's son was born in 1992.
1993: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Release
Sheryl Lee Ralph appeared in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, released in 1993.
1995: Birth of Daughter
Sheryl Lee Ralph's daughter was born in 1995.
1996: Moesha Premieres
Sheryl Lee Ralph began her role as Dee Mitchell in the UPN sitcom Moesha in 1996.
2001: Divorce from Eric Maurice
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Eric Maurice divorced in 2001.
2001: Moesha Ends
Sheryl Lee Ralph's time on the sitcom Moesha ended in 2001.
2002: Baby of the Family Release
Sheryl Lee Ralph's project Baby of the Family was released in 2002.
2002: Thoroughly Modern Millie Debut
Sheryl Lee Ralph took on the role of Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie, which debuted in 2002.
July 30, 2005: Marriage to Vincent Hughes
Sheryl Lee Ralph married Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes on July 30, 2005.
May 2008: Awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Tougaloo College
In May 2008, Sheryl Lee Ralph was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by Tougaloo College. This recognition came after she delivered the commencement address at the college.
June 16, 2009: The First Wives Club Casting
Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the cast of the Broadway musical The First Wives Club, replacing Adriane Lenox, on June 16, 2009.
2011: Young Justice Appearance
Sheryl Lee Ralph guest-starred in Young Justice as Amanda Waller in 2011.
February 9, 2013: Columbus Middle School Youth Rally
Sheryl Lee Ralph made an appearance at the 2013 Columbus Middle School youth rally in Columbus, Mississippi on February 9, 2013.
2013: Instant Mom Premieres
Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the cast of the Nick at Nite sitcom Instant Mom in 2013.
August 2014: KTLA Los Angeles Morning News Appearance
Sheryl Lee Ralph was a fill-in entertainment reporter on KTLA Los Angeles Morning News in August 2014.
November 2014: Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn Appearance
Sheryl Lee Ralph appeared on an episode of Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn in November 2014.
2015: Instant Mom Ends
Sheryl Lee Ralph's time on the sitcom Instant Mom ended in 2015.
2016: Wicked Debut
Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the cast of Wicked as Madame Morrible in 2016.
2017: Wicked Run Ends
Sheryl Lee Ralph finished her run in the musical Wicked in 2017.
April 11, 2019: Fam Finale
The television series Fam, starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, aired its final episode on April 11, 2019.
May 2019: Fam Cancellation
The television series Fam, starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, was canceled in May 2019.
2020: The Comeback Trail Release
Sheryl Lee Ralph appeared in the film The Comeback Trail, which was released in 2020.
2021: Abbott Elementary Premiere
Sheryl Lee Ralph began her starring role as Barbara Howard in the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary in 2021.
2021: Thoughts of a Colored Man
Sheryl Lee Ralph produced the Broadway play Thoughts of a Colored Man in 2021.
October 2022: Order of Jamaica Award
Sheryl Lee Ralph received the Order of Jamaica in October 2022 for her contributions to the film industry.
2022: Ohio State Murders
Sheryl Lee Ralph produced the Broadway play Ohio State Murders in 2022.
2023: Named commencement speaker for Rutgers University and awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts
In 2023, Sheryl Lee Ralph was invited to be the commencement speaker at Rutgers University, where she was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts. Ralph is an alumna of Rutgers.
2023: Super Bowl LVII Performance and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Sheryl Lee Ralph performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Super Bowl LVII pre-show and became the first celebrity and Black person to play Mrs. Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023.
2023: Rutgers Commencement Speaker
Sheryl Lee Ralph served as the commencement speaker at Rutgers for the Class of 2023.
2023: Critics' Choice Television Award Win
Sheryl Lee Ralph won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023.