Jackée Harry
Jackée Harry | |
---|---|
![]() Harry at a December 2010 performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. | |
Born | |
Nationality | Trinidadian American |
Education | High School of the Performing Arts C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 1978–present |
Known for | Sandra Clark – 227 Lisa Landry – Sister, Sister |
Spouse(s) | Elgin Charles Williams
(m. 1996; div. 2003) |
Children | 1 |
Awards | 1987 – 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) |
Website | Official website |
Jacqueline Yvonne Harry (born August 14, 1956) is an American actress, singer, comedian, director, and television personality.[1] Her current role is played as Paulina Price on the NBC soap, Days Of Our Lives. 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. She also starred in the 1993 movie, Lady Bugs, opposite Rodney Dangerfield.
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]
Career[]
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[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Jackee88.jpg/170px-Jackee88.jpg)
Harry made her television acting debut in 1983 on 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.[citation needed] 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] From 2012 to 2015, she starred in Byron Allen's sitcom The First Family. In 2013, she appeared in the pilot episode of the Disney sitcom Girl Meets World, as well as the episodes "Girl Meets Crazy Hat" and "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 (Garrett Morris) ex-girlfriend.
On December 8, 2020, during an appearance on Today, Harry announced that she was set to join the cast of soap opera Days of Our Lives.[17] Harry was cast as Paulina Price, the aunt of established character, Lani Price-Grant (Sal Stowers).[18] When the series was renewed for two additional seasons in 2021, Harry was placed on contract with the series.[19] On July 25, 2021, she appeared on Celebrity Family Feud.[20]
Awards[]
In 1987, Harry became the first African American to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for 227.[21] 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.[22][23]
Personal life[]
Harry has one child. Harry was once married to arranger and conductor Jerry Jemmott.[24] In 1996, Harry married Elgin Charles Williams; they later divorced in 2003.[25] During their marriage, Harry and Williams adopted a son, Frank, in 1997.[26]
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 |
2021 | The Wrong Cheer Captain | Principal Simpson | TV Movie |
Television[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1983–1986 | Another World | Lily Mason | Main role |
1985–1990 | 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”[27] |
2021 | Days of Our Lives | Paulina Price | Series regular: (March 1, 2021–present) |
2021 | Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! | Elizabeth | Episode: "#ThrillaOnTheGrilla" |
2021 | Pose | Jada | Episode: "Take Me To Church" |
2021 | Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem | Pauline Price | Upcoming miniseries |
References[]
- ^ Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (2006). Historical dictionary of African-American television. Scarecrow Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-8108-5335-5.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Felder, Lynn (October 28, 2017). "Jackée Harry, a Winston-Salem native, keeps 'em laughing". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Biography". Jackée Harry. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Mackay, Kathleen (August 30, 1987). "Jackee Harry's High-tack Style Enlivens '227'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Kappes, Serena (November 20, 2002). "Jackee from '227' plans TV comeback". CNN. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jacobs, Damon L. (February 26, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Jackee Harry's 'Ideal Husband'". We Love Soaps. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ Sadlier, Allison (October 3, 2016). "Gloria Naylor dead: Women of Brewster Place author dies at 66". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jump up to: a b 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.
- ^ Margaret, Mary (April 30, 2007). "Life After Celebrity Fit Club Keeping It Off". People. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "For these stars, the weight is over". Chicago Tribune. August 10, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Scott, Tony (March 29, 1994). "Sister, Sister the Meeting". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Fitzharris, Dustin (October 26, 2010). "Jackee Harry On '227' And New BET Show". Essence. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ McDermott, Tyler K. (April 30, 2014). "Jackée Harry & Tia Mowry Reunite on 'Instant Mom'". Jet. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 24, 2021). "Watch Jackée Harry's 'scandalous' debut as Paulina on Days of Our Lives". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 11, 2021). "'Days Of Our Lives' Gets 2-Year Renewal Through Season 58 On NBC". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "Jackée Plays "Celebrity Family Feud" July 25". Jackeeonline.com. Jackeé Harry. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "'Stella' earns three NAACP Awards". Northwest Herald. Associated Press. February 16, 1999. Retrieved August 31, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "31st NAACP Image Awards". The Crisis. 107 (2): 43. March–April 2000. ISSN 0011-1422. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ The HistoryMakers, Jackee Harry, Tape: 4 Story: 3 - Jackee Harry remembers her marriage from Jerry Jemmott.Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ "Jackée Harry Weds in Lavish Beverly Hills Ceremony". Jet. 91 (6): 56–63. December 23, 1996. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Jackée Harry Talks About Her Son Frank, Motherhood And Prioritizing Her Career". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ^ Dawn, Randee (November 12, 2019). "'Sister, Sister' reunion! Tia Mowry, Jackée Harry together in trailer for special". TODAY.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
External links[]
- 1956 births
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from North Carolina
- American people of Trinidad and Tobago descent
- African-American actresses
- African-American television directors
- American musical theatre actresses
- American soap opera actresses
- American television actresses
- American television directors
- American women comedians
- Women television directors
- LIU Post alumni
- Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Living people
- Participants in American reality television series
- Actors from Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
- People from Harlem
- African-American female singers