Beloved actress and entertainment icon Sheryl Lee Ralph will be honored with the 2,808th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. PT.
The star will be unveiled at 6623 Hollywood Boulevard, recognizing Ralph’s outstanding contributions to Television. The event will be hosted by Nischelle Turner, with special guest speakers including Quinta Brunson (creator and co-star of Abbott Elementary) and Loretta Devine, celebrating Ralph’s illustrious career.
Sheryl Lee Ralph’s remarkable journey in entertainment has left an indelible mark across film, television, and Broadway. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and raised between Jamaica and Long Island, Ralph’s talent was evident early on. At just 19, she became the youngest woman to graduate from Rutgers University, where she also won the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.
Her breakout role came as Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, earning her Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. Ralph later made history as the first African American actress to play Madame Morrible in Wicked.
Ralph’s television career skyrocketed with memorable roles in UPN’s Moesha (earning five NAACP Image Award nominations) and Instant Mom. More recently, she won an Emmy and Critics’ Choice Award for her scene-stealing performance as Barbara Howard in ABC’s hit comedy Abbott Elementary.
The show, now in its fourth season, has garnered widespread acclaim, including Golden Globe, SAG, and Peabody Awards. On the big screen, Ralph debuted opposite Sidney Poitier in A Piece of the Action and has since worked with legends like Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro, and Eddie Murphy. She won an Independent Spirit Award for To Sleep with Anger and charmed audiences in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
Beyond acting, Ralph has made strides as a director, producer, and activist. Her award-winning short film Secrets (starring Alfre Woodard and Robin Givens) premiered at Outfest and TIFF, while her documentary Unexpected—highlighting HIV awareness—was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.
“Sheryl Lee Ralph’s talent and impact on entertainment make her more than worthy of this recognition,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As Ralph prepares to receive her star, fans and peers alike celebrate a trailblazer whose work continues to inspire.
