Sherri Shepherd

Not to be confused with American engineering professor Sheri D. Sheppard.

Sherri Shepherd
Shepherd in 2010
Born
Sherri Evonne Shepherd

(1967-04-22) April 22, 1967 (age 57)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • author
  • podcaster
  • television presenter
Years active1995–present
Spouses
Jeff Tarpley
​
​
(m. 2001; div. 2009)​
Lamar Sally
​
​
(m. 2011; div. 2015)​
Children2
Websitewww.sherrishepherd.com

Sherri Evonne Shepherd (born April 22, 1967)[1] is an American actress, comedian, author, podcaster, and television presenter. She currently hosts the daily syndicated daytime talk show, Sherri. From 2007 to 2014, Shepherd was a co-host of the daytime talk show The View, for which she received multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations, winning one in 2009. She hosted Dish Nation from 2019 to December 2022, with her final months in limited episodes due to her talk show. She also starred in the sitcoms The Jamie Foxx Show (1999-2001), Less than Perfect (2002–2006), Sherri (2009), Trial & Error (2017–2018), and Mr. Iglesias (2019–2020).

In 2009, she published the book Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break. In 2012, she appeared as a contestant on the 14th season of the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars. Shepherd had a recurring role as Angie Jordan on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, a recurring role on the HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls, and hosted the game show Best Ever Trivia Show.

Early life

[edit]

Shepherd was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is the eldest of three girls. Her parents are LaVerne (1941-1991) and Lawrence A. Shepherd (born c. 1947). Her parents became Jehovah's Witnesses when Shepherd was a child. Due to many religious and non-religious issues, her parents divorced when Sherri was very young. Due to her mother's untimely death in 1991 after the divorce, her father became the sole parent for all three girls.[2]

Career

[edit]

Shepherd's first television acting job was starring as Victoria Carlson in the short lived sitcom Cleghorne!, which aired for one season on The WB in 1995.[3] She told Ebony in 2018, "That was the first job that I booked and I was still a legal secretary. My agent told me, 'You can quit your job.' I had that big break ... and then it was canceled. I lost my apartment, my car was repossessed and I was homeless for a year. I slept on everybody's couch. In this business, it's very uncertain. You can be working one day and not working the next."[3]

Shepherd later became recognized for her role as Sheila Yarborough on Jamie Foxx's own sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001 and for recurring roles on the sitcoms Suddenly Susan and Everybody Loves Raymond in the late 1990s, while starring in the show Less Than Perfect in the lead role of Ramona Platt from 2002 to 2006. From 2005 to 2009, Shepherd had a recurring role as Sandra, the girlfriend of character Lenny Davidson, on the FOX sitcom The War at Home. In 2007, she played Rhonda in the IMAX rerelease version of Transformers.[4] From 2007 – 2013, she had a recurring role as Angie, the wife of character Tracy Jordan, on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. In 1998 she played in an episode of Friends. In 2009, she starred for one season in Lifetime Television's Sherri, a sitcom about Shepherd's life.[5] She recurred as Daphne during the final season of How I Met Your Mother in 2013.[6] In the same year, Shepherd appeared on Broadway in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical production of Cinderella.[7] From 2017 to 2018, Shepherd portrayed Anne Flatch in NBC's mockumentary legal comedy series, Trial & Error.[8] She will produce and star in the comedy series pilot Black Don't Crack.[9]

Television personality

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Shepherd has appeared as a guest host and contestant on several television shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Rachael Ray, and To Tell the Truth.[10] She co-hosted the 35th Daytime Emmy Awards on June 20, 2008. Shepherd also hosted Nickelodeon's NickMom Night Out special from 2013 to 2014,[11] Shepherd hosted Best Ever Trivia Show on Game Show Network for 65 episodes, beginning on June 10, 2019. She has appeared regularly as a panelist on Funny You Should Ask since 2017.[citation needed]

The View's panel (left–right Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Shepherd, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck) interview United States President Barack Obama on July 29, 2010.

In 2006, Shepherd became a frequent guest co-host on ABC's daytime talk show The View.[12] She became a permanent co-host in 2007, debuting in September, when she replaced Star Jones.[13] After leaving The View in 2014, Shepherd continued to make several appearances on the show as a contributor throughout 2015 and 2016.[14]

Shepherd encountered public criticism after a September 2007 broadcast of The View when she stated she did not "believe in evolution. Period."[15] Co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked her, "Is the world flat?" Shepherd responded, "I don't know," and expanded that she "never thought about it".[16] Shepherd later referred to her statement as a "brain fart" brought on by nerves. Barbara Walters and Shepherd talked after that episode: Walters said, "Dear, the Earth is round", and Shepherd responded with: "Barbara, I know that!"[17][18]

The View was often filmed "live", with little or no editing, so more criticism erupted after the December 4, 2007, broadcast when, during a discussion initiated by Joy Behar about Epicurus, Shepherd attempted to assert that Christians existed in classical Greece, and that the Greeks threw them to the lions. When confronted on this point, she further claimed that "Jesus came first" (before Greeks and Romans) and stated, "I don't think anything predated Christians", to which Behar responded: "The Jews."[19]

Shepherd garnered further criticism after admitting to never voting partly due to her upbringing as a strict Jehovah's Witness. She was quoted as saying that she just "never knew the dates or anything"; she stated, "I've never voted for anything in my life."[20] In January 2008, Sherri referred to Gospel singer Shirley Caesar as "the black Patti LaBelle." LaBelle, like Caesar, is black.[21]

In 2008, she created more controversy on The View due to "flippant" remarks regarding abortion. She later clarified her position, saying her remarks weren't meant to be "flippant" but rather to inspire other women who may be dealing with guilt after abortions. She cited having multiple abortions herself in her 20s, which caused her to suffer from shame and guilt due to those experiences. She also revealed she later converted to Evangelical Christianity.[22] In 2009, Shepherd won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host alongside Behar, Goldberg, Walters, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.[23]

In March 2012, Shepherd participated as a celebrity contestant on the fourteenth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars finishing tenth; her dance partner was Val Chmerkovskiy.[24]

In 2019, Shepherd participated in the second season of Fox's The Masked Singer as "Penguin".[25]

From October 2021 to June 2022, Shepherd was among the recurring guest hosts of the syndicated daytime talk show The Wendy Williams Show, as its namesake Wendy Williams had been on an indefinite absence from the program due to her medical issues. On February 22, 2022, the show's distributor Debmar-Mercury announced that Shepherd had been signed on to host a new talk show, Sherri, which premiered in the 2022–23 television season as a replacement for Wendy.[26][27] The series premiered on September 12.[28] In January 2023, the series was renewed for its second and third seasons through 2025.[29]

Other ventures

[edit]

Shepherd wrote the book Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break, published in October 2009.[30] Shepherd also has a co-author credit on Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes, published in 2013.[31]

Sherri raises funds for the YAI Sherri Shepherd "Believe in Abilities" Fund.[32] YAI[33] supports people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the fullest life possible by creating new opportunities for living, loving, working, and learning. YAI is a network of agencies with programs that empower and enhance the lives of thousands of people we support and their families.

In 2009, Shepherd appeared on an episode of WWE SmackDown as the guest manager for professional wrestler MVP, who competed against Dolph Ziggler in a match defending the WWE United States Championship.[34] In 2011, Shepherd offered to pay six months' rent and utilities of homeless former American Gladiators star Debbie Clark (Storm).[35] As of 2015, a project includes a line of wigs and hair add-ins.[36]

Personal life

[edit]

Shepherd was married to Jeff Tarpley from 2001 to 2010.[37][38] They have a son, Jeffrey, born in April 2005.[39] Shepherd became engaged to writer Lamar Sally on December 26, 2010.[40] The couple married in Chicago in August 2011 and separated in May 2014.[41][42] Following the May, 2014 split, Shepherd and Sally welcomed a son, Lamar Jr., via surrogacy in August 2014. However, Shepherd does not have a biological connection to the child, as he was conceived using a donor egg.[42] During the following year, 2015, they finalized their divorce. Along with the initial divorce petition, Shepherd had also challenged the surrogacy contract and sought to remove her name from Lamar Jr.'s birth certificate. A Pennsylvania appeals court ruled against Shepherd, stating she was legally responsible for the child.[43][44]

Shepherd has type 2 diabetes[45] after having had pre-diabetes for years.[46] Formerly a Jehovah's Witness,[13] Shepherd is currently an evangelical Christian.[47]

Filmography

[edit]
Main article: Sherri Shepherd filmography

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
2005 BET Awards BET Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series "Less than Perfect" Nominated
2008 Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host "The View" Nominated
2009 Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Cast "Precious" Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics Best Ensemble Cast "Precious" Won
Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host "The View" Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Talk Series "The View" Won
2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture "Precious" Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Acting Ensemble "Precious" Nominated
Black Reel Awards Black Reel Award for Outstanding Ensemble "Precious" Won
Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host "The View" Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Talk Series "The View" Nominated
NAACP Image Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series "Sherri" Nominated
Gracie Awards Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Lead in a Comedy Series "Sherri" Won
Braveheart Award Powerful Women in Hollywood "Herself" Won
2011 Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host "The View" Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Talk Series "The View" Won
2013 People's Choice Awards Favorite Daytime TV Host "The View" Nominated
2014 Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host "The View" Nominated
2017 Canadian Screen Awards Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress "Jean of the Joneses" Nominated
2022 NAACP Image Awards Best Lifestyle & Self Help Podcast "Kym & Sherri: Two Funny Mamas" Won
Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program "Blaze and the Monster Machines" Nominated
2023 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Arts & Entertainment Podcast "Two Funny Mamas" Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tomorrow's birthdays". Associated Press. April 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  2. ^ Hamm, Liza; Dagostino, Mark (December 17, 2007). "Sherri Shepherd Her Rough Road to The View". People. Retrieved June 4, 2011. Her mom died in 1991, but her father, Lawrence, 60....
  3. ^ a b Grant, Teddy (August 27, 2018). "Sherri Shepherd on Overcoming Fear and if She Would Ever Go Back to The View". Ebony. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "Reviews – Transformers: The IMAX Experience". FilmJerk.com. September 21, 2007. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "Sherri". mylifetime. Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  6. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (July 13, 2013). "'How I Met Your Mother' Season 9 Cast Sherri Shepherd". TVLine. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  7. ^ Lewis, Hilary (August 5, 2014). "Sherri Shepherd to Join Broadway's 'Cinderella'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 16, 2016). "John Lithgow & Sherri Shepherd To Co-Star In NBC Comedy Pilot 'The Trail'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 23, 2021). "Sherri Shepherd To Headline & Produce 'Black Don't Crack' ABC Comedy Pilot, Kelly Park To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  10. ^ "Sherri Shepherd". YouTube. Retrieved May 14, 2014.[dead YouTube link]
  11. ^ "NickMom Night Out". web. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  12. ^ Prince, Rosa (July 14, 2014). "The US television star, a messy divorce and the surrogate child she 'does not want'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Rosenblum, Emma (October 15, 2009). "How 'The View' Co-host Sherri Shepherd Created Her Upbeat Empire". New York. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  14. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Sherri Shepherd To Return To 'The View'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  15. ^ Gilchrist, Tracy E. (September 19, 2007). "Media Blender". GayWired.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007.
  16. ^ "New "View" Co-Host Sherri Shepherd Doesn't Know If World Is Flat". Huffington Post. September 18, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  17. ^ "Sherri Shepherd: Trading pain for the laughs". San Jose Mercury News. California. October 11, 2009. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  18. ^ Martin, Denise (October 8, 2009). "Sherri Shepherd: Trading pain for laughs". Crystal Lake, IL: The Northwest Herald. Retrieved July 16, 2010.(registration required)
  19. ^ Danny Shea (December 4, 2007). "Sherri Shepherd Doesn't Get That Whole BC Thing, Insists "Jesus Came First"". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  20. ^ Jefferson, Cord (January 29, 2008). "Sherri Shepherd Admits to Never Voting". Mollygood. Archived from the original on February 1, 2008.
  21. ^ Kerr, Luke (January 16, 2008). "Sherri Shepherd Forgets Patti LaBelle is Black". Daytime Confidential. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  22. ^ "Sherri Shepherd Addresses Abortion Comments". People. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  23. ^ Armstrong, Jennifer (August 30, 2009). "Daytime Emmy Awards 2009 winners include 'Bold and the Beautiful,' Tyra Banks, and 'The View' hosts". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  24. ^ Barrett, Annie (April 11, 2012). "Dancing with the Stars recap: Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy eliminated". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  25. ^ Yang, Rachel. "Penguin and Black Widow unveiled! 'The Masked Singer' eliminates two celebrity contestants". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  26. ^ Porter, Rick (February 22, 2022). "'Wendy Williams Show' Ending; Sherri Shepherd to Take Over Daytime Slot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  27. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 22, 2022). "Wendy Williams "Is Incredibly Grateful", Hints At TV Return In Statement About End Of Her Talk Show". Deadline. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  28. ^ Petski, Denise (June 21, 2022). "Sherri Shepherd's Daytime Talker 'Sherri' Gets Premiere Date; Sold In 97% Of U.S." Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  29. ^ Bell, BreAnna (January 11, 2023). "'Sherri' Renewed Through 2024-25 Season by Fox Television Stations". Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  30. ^ Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break. Grand Central Publishing. October 5, 2009. ISBN 978-0-446-54742-0.
  31. ^ Shepherd, Sherri; Fitzpatrick, Billie (April 30, 2013). Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don't Have It) (1st ed.). It Books. p. 320 pages. ISBN 978-0062226242.
  32. ^ "Believe in Abilities". Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  33. ^ "YAI". Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  34. ^ Nemer, Paul (May 2, 2009). "Smackdown Results – 5/1/09". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  35. ^ "'View' Host Offers Help To Homeless Ex-'American Gladiator'". San Diego, California: KGTV. January 29, 2011. Archived from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  36. ^ "QVC Online Catalog". QVC. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  37. ^ Hamm, Liza; Dagostino, Mark (December 17, 2007). "Sherri Shepherd Her Rough Road to The View". People. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  38. ^ Williams, Brennan (October 4, 2011). "Sherri Shepherd Talks: Marriage Life, Divorce, Parenting & Advice On Catching A Man". HuffPost. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  39. ^ "Update on Sherri Shepherd's son Jeffrey Charles". People. January 13, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  40. ^ Hammel, Sara (January 4, 2011). "Sherri Shepherd Engaged". People. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  41. ^ Saad, Nardine (May 9, 2014). "Sherri Shepherd, Lamar Sally to divorce after nearly three years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  42. ^ a b Stone, Natalie; Olya, Gabrielle (January 24, 2017). "Sherri Shepherd Claims 'Huge Victory' amid 'Frivolous' Child Support Bid by Ex-Husband Lamar Sally". People. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  43. ^ "Sherri Shepherd Settles Divorce with Lamar Sally". BET.
  44. ^ Dale, Maryclaire (November 24, 2015). "Court rules Sherri Shepherd must support her son born to surrogate". USA Today. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  45. ^ Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don't Have It) Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. sherrishepherd.com. 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  46. ^ Siegler, Bonnie (April 12, 2012). "Balanced Living – Sherri Shepherd". Viva Magazine Online. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  47. ^ Allen, Marshall (June 2006). "From Crass Comedy to Christ Talk". Beliefnet. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
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Preceded by The View co-host
2007–2014 		Succeeded by
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