Sheryl Lee Ralph

With an acclaimed career spanning over four decades, Sheryl Lee Ralph has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, earning accolades that include an Emmy Award, Critics Choice Award, and an Independent Spirit Award. She is also a Golden Globe nominee, Tony Award nominee, and NAACP Image Award nominee, solidifying her status as a versatile and celebrated talent across television, film, and theater.

Ralph currently stars in ABC’s hit comedy series Abbott Elementary alongside creator Quinta Brunson. In 2023, she earned her second Emmy nomination for her role as Barbara Howard, the veteran Kindergarten teacher. The show’s first season received seven Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and Ralph won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022. She also won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and received nominations for a Golden Globe, Film Independent Spirit Award, and more for her work on the show.

Starring alongside Grammy Award winner Brandy, Ralph received five NAACP Image Award nominations for her work in over 100 episode of UPN’s “Moesha.” She also had a lead role opposite Tia Mowry in three seasons of Nickelodeon’s hit series “Instant Mom.” Her other television credits include recurring roles on Showtime’s “Ray Donovan” opposite Jon Voight, Freeform’s “Motherland: Fort Salem” as the President of the United States, “Claws,” “Barbershop” “One Mississippi” created by Diablo Cody and Tig Notaro, CBS’ Emmy-nominated “Designing Women,” “New Attitude,” “It’s a Living” and guest appearances on “The Black Lady Sketch Show,” “MacGyver,” “ER,” “Two Broke Girls,” “Smash,” “George,” “Criminal Minds,” “LA Law,” “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times.”

On the big screen, Ralph made her feature film debut at the age of 20 opposite Sidney Poitier in "A Piece of the Action," which Poitier also directed. She went on to work with Hollywood’s other leading men in films including: "The Mighty Quinn" opposite Denzel Washington; "Mistress" with Robert de Niro; "To Sleep with Anger" with Danny Glover; and "The Distinguished Gentlemen" with Eddie Murphy. Ralph won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "To Sleep with Anger." She also appeared opposite Whoopi Goldberg and Lauryn Hill in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." Her additional feature credits include: "The Comeback Trial" with De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman; Netflix’s "Step Sisters," produced by Lena Waithe; and "Just Getting Started" with Freeman, Jones and Rene Russo. She also starred in the 2024 comedy "The Fabulous Four" alongside Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, and Megan Mullaly.

Ralph found success behind the camera with her award-winning short film "Secrets," co-starring Alfre Woodard and Robin Givens. Premiering at Outfest Los Angeles, it won the Audience Award and was a finalist in several film competitions, including HBO’s Short Film Competition and Showtime's Filmmaker Award Series. In 2023, she produced the documentary short "Unexpected," which premiered at the Essence Film Festival, following two young mothers turned HIV activists as they support newly diagnosed women in rural areas.

On stage, Ralph is well known for creating the role of Deena Jones in the legendary Broadway musical “Dreamgirls,” which earned her Best Actress nods for Tony and Drama Desk Awards. A one-night-only, sold-out "Dreamgirls" reunion brought Ralph back together with cast members Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holliday to celebrate the show's 35th anniversary. In 2002, she originated the role of Muzzy Van Hossmer in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” alongside Sutton Foster. The show won six Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical at both. Ralph most recently appeared as Madame Horrible in “Wicked,” becoming the first African American actress to take on the classic role. She also produced “Ohio State Murders,” starring Audra McDonald, which received a Tony nomination and five Drama Desk Side nominations, including Outstanding Revival of a Play.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, the daughter of a college professor and Jamaican fashion designer, Ralph was raised between Mandeville, Jamaica and Long Island, New York. In 1973, she was crowned Miss Black Teenage New York. Two years later, at the age of 19, Ralph was the youngest woman to ever graduate from Rutgers University. During her time at Rutgers, Ralph was one of the earliest winners of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships awarded by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Also, that year, she was named as one of the top 10 College Women in America by Glamour Magazine.

Off-screen, Ralph is a dedicated health advocate and renowned AIDS activist. In 1990, she founded The DIVA Foundation, a nonprofit honoring friends lost to HIV/AIDS, using the arts to promote health and awareness. Its signature event, Divas Simply Singing!, is the longest-running HIV/AIDS benefit concert in the U.S., raising funds and awareness for 33 years. Ralph's advocacy earned her the role of AIDS Ambassador for Jamaica and the prestigious Honorary Order of Jamaica. In September 2023, Project Angel Food recognized her decades of dedication with the inaugural Sheryl Lee Ralph Legacy Award.