Shirley Hemphill
Encyclopedia
Shirley Ann Hemphill was an American
stand-up comedian and actress. She was best known for her role on the television situation comedy What's Happening!!
, which ran from 1976 to 1979.
who, at the time, was a major television star, enjoying the third season on his own TV variety show. Wilson enjoyed the tape and invited Hemphill to L.A. to attend a taping of his show. He also sent her a dozen roses for luck and her very own cassette recorder. After Hemphill returned home from the taping, she was determined to become a comedy star. She became a waitress at a fast food restaurant during the day and worked comedy clubs at night.
In 1976, Hemphill's stand-up routine started to get noticed and was invited to guest star on the TV comedy sitcoms, All's Fair
and Good Times
. That same year she landed the role of sarcastic waitress Shirley Wilson on the comedy TV series What's Happening!!
, which was loosely based on Eric Monte
's film Cooley High
. The series would go on to air for three seasons.
Following What's Happening, Hemphill starred in her own sitcom, One in a Million
, in early 1980, in which she portrayed a taxi driver who inherited a huge corporation and fortune from one of her customers. The series was cancelled after 13 episodes.
Afterward Hemphill would spent most of the early '80s working in nightclubs around the country and doing the occasional guest appearance on TV shows, including The Love Boat
and Trapper John, M.D.
In 1985, she was invited to co-star on the revival of What's Happening!! entitled What's Happening Now!!
, which ran from 1985 to 1988. After What's Happening Now!! ended its three-year run, she again worked the nightclub scene and doing the occasional acting gig on a number of '90s comedy sitcoms, including Martin
, and The Wayans Bros.
, among others. In 1994, she appeared in her first movie, CB4
, starring Chris Rock
. Two years later she co-starred in her second movie, Shoot the Moon, starring Whitney Anderson
, in 1996.
Throughout her career, Hemphill performed her stand-up routine on a number of popular TV shows including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, A&E
's An Evening at the Improv, BET
's Black Comedy Showcase and Black Comedy Tonight. She was also a regular at The Comedy Store
comedy club in Los Angeles
. She also appeared in an episode of The Jenny Jones Show
in a "What's Happening!!" reunion show; actors Ernest Thomas
and Haywood Nelson
appeared alongside her.
. She was reportedly found by her gardener. Just one month earlier, her What's Happening!! co-star Mabel King
had also passed away; they were both honored in the "In Memoriam" segment during the 2000 NAACP Image Awards telecast.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stand-up comedian and actress. She was best known for her role on the television situation comedy What's Happening!!
What's Happening!!
What's Happening!! is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976 to April 28, 1979. The show premiered as a summer series. With good ratings and reviews, and after the failure of several other shows on the network, What's Happening!! returned in November 1976 as a weekly...
, which ran from 1976 to 1979.
Career
Hemphill began her career as a stand-up comic but without much fanfare. In an effort to receive some notice, she decided to record some of her best routines on a borrowed cassette recorder and send the tape to comedian Flip WilsonFlip Wilson
Clerow Wilson, Jr. , known professionally as Flip Wilson, was an American comedian and actor. In the early 1970s, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series, The Flip Wilson Show...
who, at the time, was a major television star, enjoying the third season on his own TV variety show. Wilson enjoyed the tape and invited Hemphill to L.A. to attend a taping of his show. He also sent her a dozen roses for luck and her very own cassette recorder. After Hemphill returned home from the taping, she was determined to become a comedy star. She became a waitress at a fast food restaurant during the day and worked comedy clubs at night.
In 1976, Hemphill's stand-up routine started to get noticed and was invited to guest star on the TV comedy sitcoms, All's Fair
All's Fair
All's Fair is an American television situation comedy that aired on CBS from 1976 to 1977. The show co-starred Richard Crenna as a conservative political columnist and Bernadette Peters as a liberal photographer...
and Good Times
Good Times
Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
. That same year she landed the role of sarcastic waitress Shirley Wilson on the comedy TV series What's Happening!!
What's Happening!!
What's Happening!! is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976 to April 28, 1979. The show premiered as a summer series. With good ratings and reviews, and after the failure of several other shows on the network, What's Happening!! returned in November 1976 as a weekly...
, which was loosely based on Eric Monte
Eric Monte
Eric Monte is an American screenwriter who has written for and created notable shows depicting 1970s African American culture.-Early life and career:...
's film Cooley High
Cooley High
Cooley High is a 1975 American film based upon the real high school located on the near north side of Chicago produced and released by American International Pictures and written by Eric Monte...
. The series would go on to air for three seasons.
Following What's Happening, Hemphill starred in her own sitcom, One in a Million
One in a Million (US TV series)
One In A Million is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC for one season in 1980. The show was developed as a starring vehicle for comedienne Shirley Hemphill after the success of What's Happening!! in which she played a supporting role...
, in early 1980, in which she portrayed a taxi driver who inherited a huge corporation and fortune from one of her customers. The series was cancelled after 13 episodes.
Afterward Hemphill would spent most of the early '80s working in nightclubs around the country and doing the occasional guest appearance on TV shows, including The Love Boat
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
and Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986....
In 1985, she was invited to co-star on the revival of What's Happening!! entitled What's Happening Now!!
What's Happening Now!!
What's Happening Now!! is an American television sitcom spinoff of What's Happening!!. It ran in syndication from 1985 to 1988. Like the previous series, What's Happening Now!! is loosely based on the motion picture Cooley High...
, which ran from 1985 to 1988. After What's Happening Now!! ended its three-year run, she again worked the nightclub scene and doing the occasional acting gig on a number of '90s comedy sitcoms, including Martin
Martin (TV series)
Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
, and The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color...
, among others. In 1994, she appeared in her first movie, CB4
CB4
CB4 is a 1993 comedy film directed by Tamra Davis, and starring Chris Rock. The film follows a fictional rap group named 'CB4', named after the prison block in which the group was allegedly formed...
, starring Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...
. Two years later she co-starred in her second movie, Shoot the Moon, starring Whitney Anderson
Whitney Anderson
Whitney T. Anderson is an American politician and businessman from Waimanalo, Hawaii. He is the younger brother of D.G. "Andy" Anderson.He served for a total of 20 years in both chambers of the Hawaii State Legislature...
, in 1996.
Throughout her career, Hemphill performed her stand-up routine on a number of popular TV shows including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
's An Evening at the Improv, BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Black Comedy Showcase and Black Comedy Tonight. She was also a regular at The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in West Hollywood, California, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. It has a sister comedy club in La Jolla, San Diego, California.-History:...
comedy club in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. She also appeared in an episode of The Jenny Jones Show
The Jenny Jones Show
The Jenny Jones Show is an American syndicated daytime tabloid talk show that was hosted by comedian/actress/singer Jenny Jones. It was produced by Telepictures and was distributed by Warner Bros. Television Distribution...
in a "What's Happening!!" reunion show; actors Ernest Thomas
Ernest Thomas
Ernest Thomas may refer to:*Ernest Lee Thomas, the actor from the television series What's Happening!!*Ernest Thomas of the "Groveland Four" who were accused of rape in 1949*Sgt. Ernest Ivy Thomas, Jr., U.S. Marine...
and Haywood Nelson
Haywood Nelson
Haywood Nelson is an American actor. He is best known for having portrayed Dwayne Nelson on the television series What's Happening!!, and its spin-off series What's Happening Now!!...
appeared alongside her.
Death
On December 10, 1999, Hemphill died of kidney failure at her home in suburban Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. She was reportedly found by her gardener. Just one month earlier, her What's Happening!! co-star Mabel King
Mabel King
Mabel King was an American film, stage and television actress.-Early life and career:King was born Donnie Mabel Elizabeth Washington in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of Rosalie Washington. She was raised in Harlem where she eventually became a gospel and nightclub singer...
had also passed away; they were both honored in the "In Memoriam" segment during the 2000 NAACP Image Awards telecast.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1994 | CB4 CB4 CB4 is a 1993 comedy film directed by Tamra Davis, and starring Chris Rock. The film follows a fictional rap group named 'CB4', named after the prison block in which the group was allegedly formed... |
976-Sexy | |
| 1996 | Shoot the Moon | Lula Jones, PhD | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1976 | All's Fair All's Fair All's Fair is an American television situation comedy that aired on CBS from 1976 to 1977. The show co-starred Richard Crenna as a conservative political columnist and Bernadette Peters as a liberal photographer... |
Big O | 1 episode |
| Good Times Good Times Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer... |
Rozzie | 1 episode | |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Special? | Pushy Fan from Tour Group | Television special |
| 1976–1979 | What's Happening!! What's Happening!! What's Happening!! is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976 to April 28, 1979. The show premiered as a summer series. With good ratings and reviews, and after the failure of several other shows on the network, What's Happening!! returned in November 1976 as a weekly... |
Shirley Wilson | 53 episodes |
| 1980 | One in a Million One in a Million (US TV series) One In A Million is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC for one season in 1980. The show was developed as a starring vehicle for comedienne Shirley Hemphill after the success of What's Happening!! in which she played a supporting role... |
Shirley Simmons | 13 episodes |
| 1982 | The Love Boat The Love Boat The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain... |
Charlene Grover | 1 episode |
| 1983 | Trapper John, M.D. Trapper John, M.D. Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986.... |
1 episode | |
| 1984 | Pryor's Place Pryor's Place Pryor's Place is a short-lived children's television series that aired on CBS. The live-action series starred comedian, Richard Pryor as himself.-Overview:Despite a reputation for profanity from Richard Pryor, Pryor's Place was aimed at children... |
1 episode | |
| 1985–1988 | What's Happening Now!! What's Happening Now!! What's Happening Now!! is an American television sitcom spinoff of What's Happening!!. It ran in syndication from 1985 to 1988. Like the previous series, What's Happening Now!! is loosely based on the motion picture Cooley High... |
Shirley Wilson | 30 episodes |
| 1993 | The Sinbad Show The Sinbad Show The Sinbad Show is an American sitcom starring comedian Sinbad that premiered on September 16, 1993 on Fox. The show's main plot is about a bachelor taking in two orphaned children. Chuck Brown performed this sitcom's theme music... |
Mamie | 1 episode |
| 1994 | Martin Martin (TV series) Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox... |
Sister Claus | 1 episode |
| 1996 | The Wayans Bros. The Wayans Bros. The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color... |
Coco | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Linc's Linc's Linc's is an American comedy-drama based in a bar in Washington D.C.. The series starred Steven Williams, Pam Grier and Golden Brooks, and aired on Showtime for two seasons from 1998 to 2000 before being cancelled.... |
1 episode | |