Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph O.J has an acclaimed career spanning over four decades. She is an Emmy, Critics Choice, and Independent Spirit Award winner and a staple in the entertainment industry. In April 2025, she was honoured with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
Ralph can currently be seen starring on ABC’s hit comedy series “Abbott Elementary” opposite creator Quinta Brunson. In 2024, she received her third Emmy nomination for her portrayal of “Barbara Howard,” Abbott’s veteran Kindergarten teacher.
Starring alongside Grammy Award winner Brandy, Ralph received five NAACP Image Award nominations for her work in over 100 episodes of UPN’s “Moesha.” She also had a lead role in three seasons of Nickelodeon’s hit series “Instant Mom.” Her other television credits include recurring roles on Showtime’s “Ray Donovan”, Freeform’s “Motherland: Fort Salem”, “Claws,” “Barbershop” “One Mississippi”, CBS’ Emmy nominated “Designing Women,” “New Attitude,” “It’s a Living” and many guest appearances.
On the big screen, Ralph made her feature film debut at 20 years-old opposite Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier in Warner Bros A Piece of the Action, which Poitier directed. She went on to work in films including: The Mighty Quinn, Mistress and The Distinguished Gentlemen. Ralph won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in To Sleep with Anger. She was recently in the comedy The Fabulous Four. Up next, Ralph will be seen in the independent feature Ricky which is premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Finding success behind the camera, Ralph wrote, directed, and produced the award-winning short film, Secrets, which won the Outfest Audience Award. It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and was a finalist in the HBO Film Short Competition, Showtime’s Filmmaker Award Series, and the BET Filmmaker Award Competition. She also produced the documentary short Unexpected which premiered at the 2023 Essence Film Festival. Unexpected was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Special.
On stage, Sheryl is well known for her award-winning work, creating the role of Deena Jones in the legendary Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” which earned her Best Actress nods for Tony and Drama Desk Awards. In 2002, She originated the role of Muzzy Van Hossmer in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. The show won six Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, including the win for Best Musical at both. Sheryl most recently appeared as Madame Morrible in “Wicked,” becoming the first African American actress to take on the classic role She also holds the title of producer on Broadway’s “Thoughts of a Colored Man” at The John Golden Theatre (October 2021-March 2022). She recently produced “Ohio State Murders” starring Audra McDonald, which received one Tony nomination and five Drama Desk Side nominations including Outstanding Revival of a Play.
As a writer, Ralph’s debut book, “Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl” (Simon & Schuster), instantly became a national bestselling title and gave readers a personal look into her triumphs and tribulations over the years, navigating life with courage, wit and strength.
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. A proud Jamerican (Jamaican/American) Ralph received the prestigious Honorary Order of Jamaica for her contribution as an actress and cultural ambassador of Jamaica.
Ralph is a mother of two and is happily married to State Senator Vincent Hughes of Pennsylvania. She splits her time between Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
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