Sheryl Lee Ralph

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Sheryl Lee Ralph - Philadelphia BME Leadership Awards (cropped)

American actress and singer

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Name	Sheryl Lee Ralph
Birth name
Birth date	Birth date -1st March 1966
Birth place	Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Death date
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1977–present
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Sheryl Lee Ralph (born December 30, 1956) is an American actress and singer. She made her screen debut in the 1977 comedy film A Piece of the Action, before landing her breakthrough role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 1981, for which she received a Tony Award nomination.

Early life

Sheryl Lee Ralph was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. She was raised between Mandeville, Jamaica and Long Island, New York. Ralph attended Uniondale High School in Uniondale, New York, where she starred in a high-school production of the musical Oklahoma!. She later attended Rutgers University, becoming the youngest woman to ever graduate from the institution at the age of 19.

Career

Film and television

Ralph's early film roles include The Mighty Quinn (1989) and To Sleep with Anger (1990). She also starred in the sitcom It's a Living from 1986 to 1989. In the 1990s, Ralph appeared in the television series Moesha (1996–2001), playing the role of Dee Mitchell. She also had recurring roles in Designing Women and The District.

In recent years, Ralph has appeared in the television series Ray Donovan and Claws. In 2022, she began starring in the ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Stage

Ralph's most notable stage role was as Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination. She has also appeared in other Broadway productions, including Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wicked.

Music

In addition to her acting career, Ralph has released music, including the album In the Evening in 1984. The title track became a hit on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Personal life

Ralph has been married twice and has two children. She is an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and has been involved in various charitable organizations.

Awards and nominations

Ralph has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, including a Tony Award nomination, a Primetime Emmy Award, and several NAACP Image Awards.

Filmography

Film

• A Piece of the Action (1977)
• The Mighty Quinn (1989)
• To Sleep with Anger (1990)
• Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
• The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)

Television

• It's a Living (1986–1989)
• Moesha (1996–2001)
• Ray Donovan (2013–2020)
• Claws (2017–2022)
• Abbott Elementary (2022–present)

See also

• List of African-American actresses
• List of people from Connecticut