From TV's What's Happening!! (1977). Seated, L-R: Fred Berry, Ernest Lee Thomas, and Haywood Nelson (back to camera). Standing: Shirley Hemphill.
Shirley Ann Hemphill (July 1, 1947[1] – December 10, 1999) was an American stand-up comedian and actress.
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Hemphill moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. After working the Los Angeles comedy club circuit, her routine eventually attracted attention leading to her being cast in guest starring roles on television. In 1976, she landed the role of brassy waitress Shirley Wilson on the sitcom What's Happening!!.
The series was a modest hit for ABC, but production and cast problems caused ABC to cancel the series in 1979. The following year, Hemphill was cast in her own sitcom, One in a Million. The series failed to attract an audience and was canceled in June 1980.
In 1985, Hemphill reprised her role as Shirley Wilson in the syndicated revival of What's Happening!! titled What's Happening Now!!; in the latter her character is co-owner of the restaurant where she works. Like its predecessor, What's Happening Now!! aired for three seasons. After the show's cancellation, Hemphill returned to stand-up comedy and also made occasional appearances in films and television until her death in December 1999.
^McCann, Bob (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-7864-3790-0.
Shirley Ann Hemphill (July 1, 1947 – December 10, 1999) was an American stand-up comedian and actress. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Hemphill...
friends. Retta has served as the opening act for such comedians as ShirleyHemphill and Bobby Collins. She has made television appearances on Bravo's Welcome...
Edwards, mother of Mad Dog , who shot J.J. (season 2, episode 10) ShirleyHemphill as "Roz", the dimwitted sister of Edna, who was being tutored by Thelma...
Martin's show, with a bomb strapped to his body. Guest appearances by ShirleyHemphill, BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans. 68 14 "'Xpress Yourself" Gerren Keith...
29 - Richard Lewis, comedian and actor (Anything but Love) July 1 - ShirleyHemphill, comedian and actress (What's Happening!!) (d. 1999) July 2 – Larry...
both wielding pistols and demanding the winning money. Guest Star: ShirleyHemphill as Rozzie. 72 11 "Florida's Night Out" Gerren Keith Norman Belkin &...
they co-produced the short-lived sitcom One in a Million, starring ShirleyHemphill. Two years later, TOY produced another sitcom, One of the Boys. It...
Game) December 3 Madeline Kahn 57 Actress (Oh Madeline) December 10 ShirleyHemphill 52 Comedian and actress (What's Happening!!) December 14 Walt Levinsky...
American suffragist, teacher, civil rights activist and politician. ShirleyHemphill, Morristown class of 1967; actress and comedian known for her role...
2016 One in a Million (American TV series), a 1980 sitcom starring ShirleyHemphill One in a Million (Malaysian TV series), a 2006–2009 singing competition...
1971), actor (Raleigh) Murray Hamilton (1923–1986), actor (Washington) ShirleyHemphill (1947–1999), stand-up comedian, actress (Asheville) Jackee Harry (born...
(1929-2019) Mariel Hemingway born (1961-11-22) November 22, 1961 (age 62) ShirleyHemphill (1947-1999) Florence Henderson (1934-2016) Lauri Hendler born (1965-04-22)...
C. Scott Larry Linville Meredith MacRae Gene Rayburn Durward Kirby ShirleyHemphill Hoyt Axton Nancy Marchand Leonard Goldenson Clayton Moore Doug Henning...
former lover; Julie's cousin wants to dump his fiancée. Guest stars: ShirleyHemphill, Connie Needham, Gene Barry, Betsy Palmer, Richard Dean Anderson, Linda...
Shirley Clarke Franklin (born May 10, 1945) is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party who served as the 58th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia...
free jazz and experimental theater. Members included saxophonists Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, J. D. Parran, Hamiet Bluiett, and Luther Thomas; trumpeters...
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