Sheryl Lee Ralph: podcast appearances and interviews

Sheryl Lee Ralph, born on December 30, 1956, is an American actress and singer known for her work on stage and in film. She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 1981, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Ralph's film debut occurred in the 1977 comedy A Piece of the Action, and she later won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role in the 1990 film To Sleep with Anger. Her filmography also includes appearances in The Mighty Quinn, Mistress, The Distinguished Gentleman, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and The Comeback Trail. On television, she appeared in early guest roles on series such as Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Wonder Woman, and starred in sitcoms including It's a Living, New Attitude, and Instant Mom. Her role as Dee Mitchell on the UPN sitcom Moesha garnered five NAACP Image Award nominations. Ralph has continued her theater career with roles such as Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Madame Morrible in Wicked. She has also been involved in producing Broadway plays, including Thoughts of a Colored Man and Ohio State Murders. Since 2021, she has starred as Barbara Howard on the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, which earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022. Her work spans several decades and encompasses a diverse array of performances on stage, in film, and on television.