Sheryl Lee Ralph at 66: ‘My Life Has Been About Preparing For Longevity’ (2024)

Q. What rocks did you have to bust?

One thing I tried to do was challenge people’s assumptions about what a Black actress should look like. I remember one time in the ’70s, I had my hair braided and a director said, “Can’t you find a more natural hairstyle?” I had to ask him, “More natural for whom?” It’s hard to imagine today.

I also sought roles that hadn’t been thought of — but should have been. In the early ’90s,Designing Womenwas a hit, but it was a show about Southern women with no Black women in it. I met Designing producerHarry Thomason at an event, walked right up to him and said, “You need a Black woman on your show.” The next day, he hired me.

When I was young, a lot of talented actresses inspired me: Virginia Capers, who won a Tony for the musicalRaisin;Rosalind Cash fromThe Omega Man;Beverly Todd, whose films includeBrother JohnandLean on Me;Denise Nicholas fromRoom 222— all of those Black women showed me that there was a chance for me. And I wanted to take that chance and do as much as I could with it.

Q. With the #MeToo movement, a lot came to light about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. Is that something you had to endure?

I have dealt with my share. Early on, I was being schooled and protected. But once, I was physically accosted, and it was horrible. It made me feel disgusting for quite some time. Even now when I think about it, it haunts me. And there were other times when things were expected. On a trip to Vegas with a producer, I was supposed to have my own room, but there was no room for me — just one room, just one bed. And he said, “This is all you have to do.” Oh, that’s all? Really? No thanks.

You have to know your bottom line. What are you willing to give up? If you turn down a proposition, sometimes they never call you again. That’s how it goes.

Q. You were raised in the Northeast but spent summers in your mother’s home country, Jamaica. How did that affect you?

In the United States when I was a child, they wanted to tell you about what you could and could not do as a Black person. My response was: You all need to travel more. Because in Jamaica I’d seen the Black doctor, the Black lawyer, the Black prime minister. I’d seen that the pilot on the plane is Black, just like me. That Black people are doing and have been doing great things. Sorry that you don’t know it.

Q. You credit your father for motivating you to take care of your health. ​What was his advice?

My father used to tell me, “You’re going to live a long time, so you’ve got to take care of yourself. Eat properly. Exercise.” My life has been about preparing for longevity. Finding my joy, making great choices for me, understanding that life is not always fair. Sometimes it’s your day. Sometimes it’s not your day. But if it’s a good day or a bad day, you’ve got to thank God because you got a day.

Ralph with her son Etienne Maurice (left), husband Vincent Hughes (second to right) and daughter Ivy Coco Maurice (right).

Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Q. Tell me about your two children.

Children are my greatest gift. I knew I was going to be somebody’s mother. When I met their father, my first husband, I could see my children just as clearly as they are in life right now, and I said, “Oh, I know the assignment right here.” We got married and had our son, Etienne, and our daughter, Coco. The marriage lasted almost 10 years. If I had a regret in life, it would be that I didn’t have more children. But I have two beautiful children.