Sheryl Lee Ralph

Actor · Producer· Waterbury, Connecticut, USA

Sheryl Lee Ralph, born December 30, 1956, is a celebrated American actress and singer, renowned for her transformative stage presence and commanding vocal performances. Her breakthrough came in 1981 with her role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," earning a Tony Award nomination. Since 2021, she has captured critical acclaim for her portrayal of Barbara Howard in the ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary," a role that secured her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, marking a significant milestone as the first Black woman in 35 years to achieve this honor.

Known For

The roles that explain the career.

Full credits

The Flintstonesposter

The Flintstones

Mrs. Pyrite · 1994

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habitposter

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Florence Watson · 1993

Oliver & Companyposter

Oliver & Company

Rita (voice) · 1988

Step Sistersposter

Step Sisters

2018

The Distinguished Gentlemanposter

The Distinguished Gentleman

Miss Loretta · 1992

Just Getting Startedposter

Bogusposter

The Mighty Quinnposter

The Mighty Quinn

Lola Quinn · 1989

Filmography

29 credits across 2 departments.

Year	Title	Role	Type
2026	Lisa Ann Walter: It Was an Accident	Self	Film
2026	Lisa Ann Walter: It Was an Accident	Producer	Film
2025	The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship -- A Special Edition of 20/20	Self	Film
2024	The Real Red Tails	Self - Narrator (voice)	Film
2024	The Fabulous Four	Kitty	Film
2024	The Fabulous Four	Executive Producer	Film
2023	The Young Wife	Angelique	Film
2021	Abbott Elementary	Barbara Howard	TV
2020	Motherland: Fort Salem	President Kelly Wade	TV
2012	Christmas in Compton	Abuta	Film
2010	Blessed and Cursed	Lady Wright	Film
2001	The Jennie Project	Dr. Pamela Prentiss	Film
2000	Deterrence	Gayle Redford	Film
1996	Bogus	Ruth Clark	Film
1995	White Man's Burden	Roberta	Film
1994	Witch Hunt	Hypolita Kropotkin	Film
1994	The Flintstones	Mrs. Pyrite	Film
1993	Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit	Florence Watson	Film
1992	Mistress	Beverly Dumont	Film
1992	The Distinguished Gentleman	Miss Loretta	Film
1991	The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw	Miss Rosalee	Film
1990	To Sleep with Anger	Linda	Film
1990	New Attitude	Vicki St. James	TV
1989	Skin Deep	Receptionist	Film
1989	The Mighty Quinn	Lola Quinn	Film
1988	Oliver & Company	Rita (voice)	Film
1980	It's a Living	Ginger St. James	TV
1977	A Piece of the Action	Barbara Hanley	Film
	Cars: Lightning Racers	Ms. Blinker (voice)	TV

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