Sheryl Lee Ralph is among the greats who have lived to smell their roses.
Today, she is widely recognized as an actress, but her journey began at Rutgers College. She initially enrolled at just age 16, the school shared, with plans to study pre-med before discovering her true calling in the arts.
“I’m an immigrants’ child,” Ralph said, according to Elle. “My mother had very big dreams for me. In her words, it was, ‘Be a doctor or a lawyer, and if you can’t be either, marry one.’”
Despite her mother’s desires, Ralph would pivot towards acting. She discovered her passion for the arts while working on a school play.
“I found my passion on the stage of the Little Theater on the Douglass College campus,” she said, according to an article shared by the school.
Based on an article from Philadelphia magazine, when Ralph was 20 years old, she landed her big break, featuring in the 1977 film “A Piece of the Action” alongside Sidney Poitier. Two years later, she made her television debut on “The Jeffersons,” which led to appearances on shows like “Good Times” and “Wonder Woman.”
In 1981, Ralph took on one of her most notable roles as Deena Jones in the Broadway adaptation of “Dreamgirls,” the magazine also shared. Upon learning of the opportunity, she had high hopes that it would be a success.
“I knew something wonderful had to happen with ‘Dreamgirls,’” Ralph mentioned to Elle. “I remember Quincy Jones was invited as an investor. He saw a run-through of our first act, and he walked out. And I was so broken-hearted, like, ‘How can he not see what a big hit we’re gonna be?’”
The film “Dreamgirls” was a great success and it allowed Ralph to move to Los Angeles, notes NPR. She was also nominated for a Tony Award for her performance.
At age 67, Ralph’s career has reached new heights with her award-winning role on “Abbott Elementary.” She plays Barbara Howard, a Philadelphia-based kindergarten teacher, and was tapped for the role by comedian and show creator Quinta Brunson, who is also casted as Janine Teagues.
“Quite simply, I got a phone call from Quinta, who said, ‘Ms. Ralph, I know you are at a point in your career where you are offered all kinds of things, but if you would maybe meet the team, that would be great,’” she said, according to Philadelphia magazine. “And I thought, ‘Oh, that’s so sweet.’ I read the script, and the next thing you know, I’m on one of the greatest shows ever on TV.”
The show “Abbott Elementary,” which first aired on ABC in 2021, PhillyVoice reports. Today, it’s in its fourth season and has earned numerous accolades, including Ralph’s first Emmy Award in 2022, Philadelphia magazine also shared.
Ralph is also joined by cast mates Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, and Chris Perfetti on receiving recognition from the hit show. To no surprise, they all received pay raises in 2024.
Ralph now earns $250,000 per episode, which is a significant increase as Deadline notes “the percentage salary increases are said to be in the triple digits, doubling and sometimes tripling the actors’ previous paychecks.”
Ralph’s net worth is said to be an estimated $5 million in 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously mentioned.