Sheryl Lee Ralph
Biography
Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress and singer born on December 30, 1956, in Waterbury, Connecticut. She was part of the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls (1981), earning a Tony Award nomination. She built a distinguished career across Broadway, film, and television over four decades.
Ralph stars as Barbara Howard in ABC's Abbott Elementary (2021-present), playing a veteran kindergarten teacher and the moral backbone of the school. Her performance earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022, which she accepted with a powerful acceptance speech that went viral.
Known For
Other Notable Roles
- Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (1981, Broadway original cast)
- Dee Mitchell in Moesha (1996-2001)
- Various film and television roles spanning four decades
Awards & Recognition
- 🏆 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Abbott Elementary)
- 🏆 Tony Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical (Dreamgirls)
- 🏆 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Abbott Elementary)
Frequently Asked Questions
Sheryl Lee Ralph is known for the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls and her Emmy-winning role in Abbott Elementary.
Yes, she won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary in 2022.
Yes, she originated the role of Deena Jones in the original 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls.