Jackée Harry

Jacqueline Yvonne Harry (born August 14, 1956) is an American actress, singer, comedian, director, and television personality.[1] She is best known for her roles as Sandra Clark, the sexy nemesis of Mary Jenkins (played by Marla Gibbs), on the NBC TV series 227 (1985–90), and as Lisa Landry on the ABC/The WB sitcom Sister, Sister (1994–99). She is noted for being the first and only African-American to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Jackée Harry
Harry at a December 2010 performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.
Born (1956-08-14) August 14, 1956
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationHigh School of the Performing Arts
C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
  • comedian
  • director
  • television personality
Years active1978–present
Known forSandra Clark – 227
Lisa Landry – Sister, Sister
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1984)​

Elgin Charles Williams
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2003)​
Children1
Awards1987 – Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Sandra Clark (227)
1999 – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Lisa Landry (Sister, Sister)
2000 – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Lisa Landry (Sister, Sister)
WebsiteOfficial website

Biography

Early life and education

Harry was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1956, and raised in Harlem, New York,[2] to an Afro-Trinidadian mother and Black American father. Harry began studying acting at the High School of the Performing Arts in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.[2] Harry graduated from Long Island University with a Bachelor of Arts in education. She worked as an American History teacher at Brooklyn Technical High School for two years before beginning a career on the New York stage.[3][4][5]

Theater

In 1978, Harry made her Broadway debut in A Broadway Musical.[5] Throughout the 1980s she starred in numerous productions both on and off Broadway, and in national touring productions. In 1994, Harry made her return to the theater by starring as Billie Holiday in the play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Following that stage production, she fulfilled the role of "madam who runs a bordello" in the Broadway musical The Boys from Syracuse. In the mid-2000s, she appeared in stage productions of The Sunshine Boys, Damn Yankees, and A Christmas Carol. She also toured nationally in JD Lawrence's The Clean Up Woman.[6]

Television
Harry attending the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards, August 1988.

In 1983, Harry made her television acting debut in Another World as Lily Mason, a role she continued until 1986.[5] In 2003, she was a surprise guest on the Another World Reunion that SOAPnet coordinated and aired. In 1985, Harry began a co-starring role as Sandra Clark, on the NBC sitcom 227.[5][7] Her mother, Flossie, celebrated her getting the role but died before the show started airing. During the series run, Harry and Marla Gibbs began feuding privately over who was the series' lead. They have since reconciled and collaborated on a number of projects.[8] Her performance on 227 inspired NBC producers to create a television pilot for her entitled Jackée. Although the pilot episode was a success with audiences, the series did not last and the episode is now shown as an episode of 227.

After leaving 227 in 1989, Harry starred opposite Oprah Winfrey in The Women of Brewster Place, an adaptation of Gloria Naylor's novel of the same name.[9] In 1990, she headlined an NBC comedy pilot from Witt/Thomas titled We'll Take Manhattan; it aired as a summer special that year, but did not make it to series. In late 1991, she joined the cast of The Royal Family after the star, Redd Foxx, unexpectedly died.[10] She starred opposite two-time 227 guest-star Della Reese, but the series faltered in the ratings and was not renewed for a second season. In 1992, she starred as the assistant coach in Ladybugs.[11] Harry served as a guest panelist on the 2000 revival of To Tell the Truth and appeared on the second season of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club 2 in 2005.[12][13] From 1994 until 1999, Harry played Lisa Landry, the adoptive mother of Tia Mowry's character, on the sitcom Sister, Sister.[14]

She had a recurring role as Vanessa on the UPN/The CW series Everybody Hates Chris and had a recurring role on the BET Series Let's Stay Together.[11][15] She is starring in Byron Allen's syndicated sitcom The First Family, which also features Marla Gibbs in a recurring role. On April 12, 2013, it was announced that she was cast in the episodes "Girl Meets Crazy Hat" and the pilot of Disney sitcom Girl Meets World. Later, she also appeared in "Girl Meets Demolition". That same year, she also joined Gibbs in the movie Forbidden Woman. In 2014, she made a guest appearance on Instant Mom as her character Lisa Landry.[16] She appeared in the 2 Broke Girls episode "And the Sax Problem" in 2016, as Earl's ex and lounge owner.

On December 8, 2020, during an appearance on the Today, Harry announced that she was set to join the cast of soap opera Days of Our Lives.[17]

Awards

In 1987, Harry became the first African American to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for 227.[18] In addition to her Emmy Award, Harry also won NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Sister, Sister two consecutive years in 1999 and 2000.[19][20]

Personal life

Harry has one child. Harry was once married to arranger and conductor Jerry Jemmott.[21] In 1996, Harry married Elgin Charles Williams; they later divorced in 2003.[22] During their marriage, Harry and Williams adopted a son, Frank, in 1997.[23]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1984 Moscow on the Hudson Jackee Uncredited
1984 The Cotton Club Melinda
1986 Alvin Goes Back to School Gina Lipman TV Movie
1987 Alf Loves a Mystery Countess TV Movie
1987 The Incredible Ida Early Ida Early TV Movie
1988 Crash Course Edna Savage TV Movie
1988 The Cheech Show Sheila Mae TV Movie
1989 Double Your Pleasure Linda Cavanaugh / Sharlene Cavanaugh TV Movie
1989 Jackée Sandra Clark TV Movie
1989 The Women of Brewster Place Etta Mae Johnson TV Movie
1990 We'll Take Manhattan Yvonne Johnson
1992 Ladybugs Julie Benson
1993 Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun Charmayne Harry Direct-to-video
2003 The Nick at Nite Holiday Special Jackée / The Baker TV Movie
2004 You Got Served Mary " Mama Smith
2006 All You've Got Butt Shorts Salesman Jackee Williams TV Movie
2007 The Last Day of Summer Lola the Lobster
2009 Man of Her Dreams Louise Smith Stage play
2009 G.E.D. Mama Jones
2010 Christmas Cupid Vivian Harry TV Movie
2010 The Clean Up Woman Jasmine Harry Stage play
2010 Knight to D7 Nurse Dorothy Hamilton Short film
2011 The Ideal Husband Vivian Peterson TV Movie
2011 Nurse Jackée Nurse Jackée Short film
2012 Brother White Veena Mae TV Movie
2012 Switchin' the Script Mrs. Shepard
2013 The Coalition Grandmother Bea Hathaway Direct-to-video
2013 The Sins of Deacon Whyles Momma Josephine Whyles
2013 The Love Letter Josephine TV Movie
2013 Forbidden Woman Sheila Mae
2014 Knock 'Em Dead Savannah Johnz
2014 The Dirty 30 Linda
2015 The Man in 3B Miss Gina Bertha
2016 Ladies Book Club Mrs. Roxanne Charles TV Movie
2016 Broadcasting Christmas Veronika Daniels TV Movie
2016 A Husband for Christmas Erin Dooley TV Movie
2017 Cupid's Proxy Olive
2017 Wrapped Up In Christmas Arlene Simons TV Movie
2018 It's a Date Allison Cole
2018 When It Comes Around Amina
2018 My Christmas Inn Susan Taylor TV Movie
2019 Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta Mrs. Bennet TV Movie
2019 The Wrong Tutor Principal Callahan TV Movie
2019 Carole's Christmas Iris TV Movie
2019 Christmas on My Mind Dr. Caroline Albright TV Movie
2020 Love in Store Sharon St. Clair TV Movie

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1983–1986 Another World Lily Mason Main role
1985–1989 227 Sandra Clark Main role (Seasons 1–4); recurring role (season 5)
1987 Rosie Sandra Clark Episode: "The Next Door in the Neighborhood"
1988–1989 Amen Roxanne Farley / Florence Hawkins 3 episodes
1990 TGIF Lisa
1991–1992 The Royal Family Ruth 'CoCo' Royal Main role, 8 episodes
1992 Designing Women Vanessa Chamberlain Episode: "Shades of Vanessa"
1994 Dave's World Estelle Episode: "Saved by Estelle"
1994–1999 Sister, Sister Lisa Landry Main role, 119 episodes
1995–1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Giant's Wife / Little Bo Peep Voice; episodes: "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Mother Goose"
2000 Twice in a Lifetime Darcy Green / Louise Lutrelle Episode: "Used Hearts"
2003 7th Heaven Ms. Beane Episode: "It's Not Always About You"
2005 That's So Raven Dava Episode: "Goin' Hollywood"
One on One Sherri St. Croix Episode: "Waiting for Huffman"
2006–2009 Everybody Hates Chris Vanessa Recurring role, 26 episodes
2008 The Mighty B! Nurse (voice) Episode: "Bee Patients"
2010 Friends & Lovers Omar's Mother 2 episodes
2011 She's Still Not Our Sister Connie
2011–2013 Let's Stay Together Delores Whitmore Recurring role, 5 episodes
2012–2015 The First Family Pauletta Birdsong Main role, 36 episodes
2012 For Richer or Poorer Mrs. Henderson Episodes: "Ex Files", "The Switch"
Are We There Yet? Jackée Episode: "The Ghost Dog Episode"
2013 Celebrity Ghost Stories Herself (Season 4)
American Dad! Shonteeva's Assistant (voice) Episode: "For Black Eyes Only"
How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) Jessoka Episode: "How to Help the Needy"
Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious Mrs. Jordan
2014 Glee Herself Episode: "City of Angels"
Instant Mom Lisa Landry Episode: "Not Your Mother's Day"
One Love Nurse Beverly Episode: "Tea-Ball"
2014–2015 Girl Meets World Evelyn Rand Recurring role, 3 episodes
2015 In the Cut Nadine Main role, 4 episodes
2015 Family Time Gladys Episode: "Hospitality"
Baby Daddy Judge Johnson 3 episodes
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Zizza (voice) Episode: "The Buzz on Windblade"
Young & Hungry JoJo Episode: "Young & Christmas"
2016 2 Broke Girls Ruby Episode: "And the Sax Problem"
2017 The Thundermans Officer Bosco Episode: "Orange Is the New Max"
2018 K.C. Undercover Betty/Midge Turner Episode: "The Gammy Files"
2018 Tyler Perry's The Paynes JoAnn Payne Lead role; 38 episodes
2019 The Cool Kids Lorraine Episodes: "Funeral Crashers", "Vegas, Baby!"
2019 Live in Front of a Studio Audience Diane Episode: “Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons”
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show Sandra Clark Episode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade"
2019 Family Reunion Aunt Dot Episode: “A Family Reunion Christmas”[24]

References
  1. Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (2006). Historical dictionary of African-American television. Scarecrow Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-8108-5335-5.
  2. Felder, Lynn (October 28, 2017). "Jackée Harry, a Winston-Salem native, keeps 'em laughing". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  3. "Biography". Jackée Harry. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  4. Mackay, Kathleen (August 30, 1987). "Jackee Harry's High-tack Style Enlivens '227'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  5. Kappes, Serena (November 20, 2002). "Jackee from '227' plans TV comeback". CNN. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  6. Mayo, Sandra M.; Holt, Elvin (2016). Stages of Struggle and Celebration: A Production History of Black Theatre in Texas. University of Texas Press. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-4773-0820-2. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  7. Fearn-Banks, Kathleen; Burford-Johnson, Anne (2014). Historical Dictionary of African American Television (2 ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0-8108-7917-1. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  8. Jacobs, Damon L. (February 26, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Jackee Harry's 'Ideal Husband'". We Love Soaps. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  9. Sadlier, Allison (October 3, 2016). "Gloria Naylor dead: Women of Brewster Place author dies at 66". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  10. Snauffer, Douglas (2008). The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series. McFarland. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-7864-3295-0. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  11. Eakin, Marah (February 26, 2016). "Jackée Harry on 227, Ladybugs, and why she wants to be the next Maggie Smith". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  12. Margaret, Mary (April 30, 2007). "Life After Celebrity Fit Club Keeping It Off". People. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  13. "For these stars, the weight is over". Chicago Tribune. August 10, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  14. Scott, Tony (March 29, 1994). "Sister, Sister the Meeting". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  15. Fitzharris, Dustin (October 26, 2010). "Jackee Harry On '227' And New BET Show". Essence. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  16. McDermott, Tyler K. (April 30, 2014). "Jackée Harry & Tia Mowry Reunite on 'Instant Mom'". Jet. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  17. "Jackée Harry announces new role on 'Days of our Lives'". Today. NBC. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  18. Littleton, Darryl J.; Littleton, Tuezdae (September 1, 2012). Comediennes: Laugh Be a Lady. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-4803-2974-4.
  19. "'Stella' earns three NAACP Awards". Northwest Herald. Associated Press. February 16, 1999. Retrieved August 31, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "31st NAACP Image Awards". The Crisis. 107 (2): 43. March–April 2000. ISSN 0011-1422. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  21. The HistoryMakers, Jackee Harry, Tape: 4 Story: 3 - Jackee Harry remembers her marriage from Jerry Jemmott.Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  22. "Jackée Harry Weds in Lavish Beverly Hills Ceremony". Jet. 91 (6): 56–63. December 23, 1996. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  23. "Jackée Harry Talks About Her Son Frank, Motherhood And Prioritizing Her Career". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  24. Dawn, Randee (November 12, 2019). "'Sister, Sister' reunion! Tia Mowry, Jackée Harry together in trailer for special". TODAY.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.


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