Wissenswertes

She was the first woman to graduate from Rutgers College at age 19. She missed her graduation to appear in a commercial for Skippy peanut butter. She did get to wear a cap and gown on May 2, 2003 as the commencement speaker for the class of 2003.

At age 19, her first job was singing for Penthouse magazine.

Attended and graduated from Uniondale High School in Uniondale, New York (1972).

She married Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, California on July 20, 2005.

Sidney Poitier was a dear mentor who gave Sheryl Lee, at age 19, her very first job in Ausgetrickst (1977).

She was awarded the OJ (Member of the Order of Jamaica) by the governor-general of Jamaica in October 2022 for her services to the national film industry.

Is half Jamaican.

Was originally considered for a potential spin-off of the 1970s television series Wonder Woman (1975) but the project never made it past the green-light phase. Her ties to the show continued though as, 25 years later, she portrays Wonder Woman's nemesis "The Cheetah" in the animated series Die Liga der Gerechten (2001).

Inducted as an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at the 47th National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Juli 2004)

Ex-husband, Eric Maurice, was an art collector. They have two children: son Etienne Maurice (born 1992) and daughter Ivy Maurice (born 1995).

Nominated for Broadway's 1982 Tony Award for Best Actress (Musical) for "Dreamgirls".

Filing one million dollar lawsuit against The National Enquirer for libel and invasion of property. (Juni 2000)

Daughter of Ivy Ralph and Stanley Ralph.

The musical "Dreamgirls" is considered by many as a loosely-based account of the meteoric rise of the 1960s super girl-group The Supremes. Sheryl Lee's character Deena Jones closely follows the path taken by Diana Ross.

Friends with Loretta Devine, Marla Gibbs, Patti LaBelle, Mablean Ephriam, Vesta Williams and Tim Reid.

Received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Rutgers University (1973).

Played "Muzzy van Hossmere" in the original cast of the Broadway production "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (2002 Tony Award winner for Best New Musical). While in the stage show, Muzzy is a black character, in the film she was white, played by Carol Channing.

Miss Black Teen-age New York 1973. Named Best College Actress (1974).

She appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care".

Sister of Michael Ralph, Stanley Ralph and Tim Ralph.

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6623 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 16, 2023. Loretta Devine and Quinta Brunson were guest speakers at the ceremony.

Invited to join the actor's branch of the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 2022.