Sheryl Lee Ralph
Known for
American actress and singer with a wide career in film, theater and television. She came to prominence on Broadway as one of the original leads of the musical 'Dreamgirls' (1981). In film she appeared in 'Sister Act 2' (1993) and 'The Distinguished Gentleman' (1992). She achieved renewed recognition as Barbara Howard in the acclaimed comedy 'Abbott Elementary' (2021-present), for which she won the Emmy. American actress recognized for her elegance and her range across drama, comedy and the musical, with a prolific and respected career of more than four decades.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
24 Movies
44 Series
American actress and singer with a wide career in film, theater and television. She came to prominence on Broadway as one of the original leads of the musical 'Dreamgirls' (1981). In film she appeared in 'Sister Act 2' (1993) and 'The Distinguished Gentleman' (1992). She achieved renewed recognition as Barbara Howard in the acclaimed comedy 'Abbott Elementary' (2021-present), for which she won the Emmy. American actress recognized for her elegance and her range across drama, comedy and the musical, with a prolific and respected career of more than four decades.
Movies
Plays Rita (voice)
Oliver & Company
1988
Plays Mrs. Pyrite
The Flintstones
1994
Plays Florence Watson
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1993
Plays Miss Loretta
The Distinguished Gentleman
1992
Plays Lola Quinn
The Mighty Quinn
1989
Plays Roberta
Just Getting Started
2017
Plays Angelique
The Young Wife
2023
Plays Ruth Clark
Bogus
1996
Plays Receptionist
Skin Deep
1989
Plays Beverly Dumont
Mistress
1992
Plays Roberta
White Man's Burden
1995
Plays Yvonne Bishop
Step Sisters
2018
Producer
Plays Kitty
The Fabulous Four
2024
Plays Linda
To Sleep with Anger
1990
Plays Gayle Redford
Deterrence
2000
Plays Charlotte
Lover's Knot
1996
Plays Barbara Hanley
A Piece of the Action
1977
Plays Nurse
Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel
2000
Plays Abuta
Christmas in Compton
2012
Plays Lady Wright
Blessed and Cursed
2010
TV Shows
Plays Dee Mitchell
Moesha
1996
Plays Barbara Howard
Abbott Elementary
2021
Plays Ginger St. James
It's a Living
1980
Plays Maggie Turner
Instant Mom
2013
Plays President Kelly Wade
Motherland: Fort Salem
2020
Plays Self - Panelist
Hollywood Squares
1998
Plays Rose
Fam
2019
Plays Vicki St. James
New Attitude
1990
Plays Etienne Toussant Bouvier
Designing Women
1986
Plays Maggie 'The Cat' Bryan
Code Name: Foxfire
1985
Plays Felicia
One Mississippi
2016
Plays Claudette
Ray Donovan
2013
Plays Dee Banks
The District
2000
Plays Claire
Barbershop
2005
Plays Carolyn
JD Lawrence's Community Service
2013
Plays Ms. Joyce (voice)
Weather Hunters
2025
Plays Mama Colton
MacGyver
2016
Plays Ula Pettiway
The Quad
2017
Plays Trina Jessup (voice)
Static Shock
2000
Plays Glenna
V
1984
Plays Gloria Gallant
ER
1994
Plays Cheetah (voice)
Justice League
2001
Plays Amanda Waller (voice)
Young Justice
2010
Plays Additional Voices (voice)
Young Love
2023
Plays Diana Parker (voice)
The Proud Family
2001
Plays Renee Quintana
L.A. Law
1986
Plays Janet Ellis
Las Vegas
2003
Plays Lioness #2 (voice)
The Wild Thornberrys
1998
Plays Bobbie
Wonder Woman
1975
Plays Josie Clifford
Hunter
1984
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Lisa Ann Walter: It Was an Accident
Full Filmography
Lisa Ann Walter: It Was an Accident
Self
2026
Film
Regular Show: The Lost Tapes
Joan Kranden (voice) · 1 episode
2026–
TV
Imperfect Women
Constance · 1 episode
2026–
TV
Weather Hunters
Ms. Joyce (voice) · 4 episodes
2025–
TV
Ricky
Joanne
2025
Film
The Fabulous Four
Kitty
2024
Film
Disney 100: Remember That
Self - Host
2023
Film
Young Love
Additional Voices (voice) · 2 episodes
2023–
TV
The Young Wife
Angelique
2023
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sheryl Lee Ralph and where are they from?
Sheryl Lee Ralph is 69 years old, born on December 30, 1956 in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Sheryl Lee Ralph?
Sheryl Lee Ralph is best known for roles in The Flintstones, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Oliver & Company.
How many movies has Sheryl Lee Ralph been in?
Over a 49-year career (since 1977), Sheryl Lee Ralph has appeared in 22 movies and 43 TV shows.
What was Sheryl Lee Ralph's first movie?
The career of Sheryl Lee Ralph began with A Piece of the Action (1977).
What is Sheryl Lee Ralph's most recent movie or series?
Sheryl Lee Ralph's most recent release is Lisa Ann Walter: It Was an Accident, which premiered on May 15, 2026.
What TV shows has Sheryl Lee Ralph appeared in?
On television, Sheryl Lee Ralph has appeared in 2 Broke Girls, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Young Justice, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
1956-12-30 · Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
Sheryl Lee Ralph OJ (born December 30, 1956) is an American actress and singer. Known for her performances on stage and screen she earned acclaim for her role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (1981), for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Since 2021, she has starred as Barbara Howard on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, becoming the first Black woman in 35 years to win the award.