Sheryl Lee’s award winning body of work includes creating and originating the role of Deena Jones on Broadway in the landmark musical Dreamgirls, which earned her both a Tony and Drama Desk Award Nomination for Best Actress. Winner of the Independent Spirit Award for her role in Charles Burnett’s, “To Sleep with Anger”, she has also starred in over eight TV series, including “Designing Women” and “Moesha”, garnering a combined 18 NAACP Image Award Nominations.
On television, Sheryl Lee has starred in “It’s a Living”, her own series “New Attitude”, the George Foreman series “George” and in the hit comedy “Designing Women.” She was also voted one of TV’s Favorite Moms for her portrayal of stepmom Dee on the number-one rated television series “Moesha.” She broke new ground In the SHOWTIME series, “Barbershop”, as the popular, post-operative transsexual, Claire. Recently, Sheryl brought a new face to the sufferings of war in the NBC hit series “ER.”
Her extensive film credits include “Sister Act II” with Whoopi Goldberg, “The Flintstones” with Rosie O’Donell, “The Mighty Quinn” with Denzel Washington, “Mistress” with Robert De Niro, and Eddie Murphy’s “Distinguished Gentleman.” Sheryl Lee’s performance with Danny Glover in “To Sleep with Anger “won her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.
As a producer, Sheryl Lee created the critically acclaimed “Divas Simply Singing!”, an evening of song and entertainment that has become one of the most highly anticipated AIDS benefits in Hollywood. She is also the founding creator of “The Jamerican Film & Music Festival” which in five years has given birth to five SHOWTIME Filmmaker Finalists.
For the past 20 years Sheryl Lee Ralph’s DIVA Foundation has presented, with sponsorship from caring companies, DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING! – a magical evening of song and entertainment created to assist Los Angeles AIDS organizations efforts to raise funds and awareness, allowing them to continue to help and support those in need. The Diva Foundation has acted locally but is widening its sphere of influence to include more HIV/AIDS organizations around the country and globe
Following on the success of “Divas Simply Singing!”, Sheryl Lee has added a one-woman show “Sometimes I Cry” to her list of credits. Written, directed and performed by Sheryl Lee, this complex and thought-provoking play illustrates the heartbreaking yet inspiring real life stories of culturally diverse women whose lives unravel as they cope with the reality of their HIV/AIDS. Sherl Lee uses her remarkable talent to poignantly bring these women to life in a way that touches the heart, leaving audiences deeply moved and encouraged to get tested and find out their status. First presented in 2005, “Sometimes I Cry” continues to be performed in the US and abroad.
Sheryl Lee has found new success in writing and directing with her award-winning film short “Secrets” with an all-star cast that includes Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard, Tina Lifford, Victoria Rowell, La Tanya Richardson, Robin Givens and Ralph herself. “Secrets” was a finalist in the HBO Film Short Competition, Showtime Filmmakers Series, Acapulco Black Film Festival, Hollywood Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Urban World Film Festival and an audience favorite at Outfest Film Festival.
Mother of two, Sheryl Lee loves every moment of raising her children. Recently married to State Senator Vincent Hughes of Pennsylvania in what Entertainment Tonight called “The most elegant and romantic wedding of the summer!”, she acknowledges that love is the greatest gift to be given and shared.
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