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Sheryl Lee Ralph Biography

Birth Name:Sheryl Lee Ralph

Birth Place:Waterbury, Connecticut, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Music department

Fast Facts

At the age of 19, she became the youngest female graduate in the history of Rutgers University
Chose to skip her college graduation to film a TV commercial
Changed her college major from medicine to performing arts after winning a scholarship in a competition at the American College Theater Festival
Quote: "For me, acting is like art, a craft․ I always had incredible teachers․․․I was taking a class instructed by Uta Hagen․․․She was always very clear that acting on stage is one thing, and acting on film is another thing․ I remember that lesson so well because it was all about the subtleties․ When you’re acting on film, there's a subtlety in your acting, and sometimes actors don't learn these lessons․ I was able to learn these lessons, and it was good for me․"
Was one of the original cast members of "Dreamgirls" on Broadway
Released a music album called "In the Evening" in 1984
Sang in the choir on "Voices that Care," a 1991 song aimed at boosting American troop morale during Operation Desert Storm

Awards

1989Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
1991Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
1998Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2000Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: nominated
2022Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2022HCA Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy: nominated
2022OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2023Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress - Television: winner
2023Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
2023Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2023Dorian Award-Best Supporting TV Performance - Comedy: nominated
2023Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series: nominated
2023Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2023Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series: nominated
2023Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Peabody Award-Entertainment: winner
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series: winner
2024Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series: winner
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Dorian Award-Best Supporting TV Performance - Comedy: nominated
2024Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2024Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Jury Award-Outstanding Comedy Ensemble: winner
2025OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2026Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated