Jackée Harry
Jacqueline Yvonne Harry (born August 14, 1956) is an American actress, comedian, and television personality.[1] She is known for her starring roles as Sandra Clark, the nemesis of Mary Jenkins (played by Marla Gibbs), on the NBC TV series 227 (1985–1990), and as Lisa Landry on the ABC/The WB sitcom Sister, Sister (1994–1999). She is noted for being the first African-American to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Jackée Harry | |
|---|---|
Harry at a December 2010 performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. | |
| Born | Jacqueline Yvonne Harry August 14, 1956 |
| Education | Long Island University, Post (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1978–present |
| 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 |
She also starred in the 1992 film Ladybugs, opposite Rodney Dangerfield. Since March 2021, she has played Paulina Price on the NBC/Peacock soap opera, Days of Our Lives.
Biography
Early life and education
Harry was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1956 to an Afro-Trinidadian mother and African American father and raised in Harlem, New York.[2] She 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 degree in education and worked as a teacher of American history 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
Harry made her television acting debut in 1983 on Another World as Lily Mason, a role she continued until 1986.[5] In 1984, she made her motion pictures debuts with bit parts in Moscow on the Hudson and The Cotton Club. 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 the 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]
Personal life
Harry has one child and 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 | |
| The Cotton Club | Susan | ||
| 1986 | Alvin Goes Back to School | Gina Lipman | TV movie |
| 1987 | The Incredible Ida Early | Ida Early | TV movie |
| Alf Loves a Mystery | Countess | TV movie | |
| 1988 | Crash Course | Edna Savage | TV movie |
| The Cheech Show | Sheila Mae | TV movie | |
| 1989 | Jackée | Sandra Clark | TV movie |
| Double Your Pleasure | Linda/Sharlene Cavanaugh | TV movie | |
| 1990 | We'll Take Manhattan | Yvonne Johnson | TV movie |
| 1992 | Ladybugs | Julie Benson | |
| 1993 | Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun | Charmayne Harry | Video |
| 1997 | Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special | Little Bo Peep (voice) | TV movie |
| 2003 | The Nick at Nite Holiday Special | Jackée, The Baker | TV movie |
| 2004 | You Got Served | Elizabeth "Mama' Smith | |
| 2006 | All You've Got | Pauline | TV movie |
| 2007 | The Last Day of Summer | Lola the Lobster | TV movie |
| 2009 | Man of Her Dreams | Louise Smith | |
| G.E.D. | Mama Jones | ||
| 2010 | Christmas Cupid | Vivian | TV movie |
| The Clean Up Woman | Jasmine | ||
| Knight to D7 | Nurse Hamilton | Short | |
| 2011 | The Ideal Husband | Vivian Peterson | TV movie |
| Nurse Jackée | Nurse Jackée | Short | |
| Shadow Hills | Sonya | TV movie | |
| 2012 | Switchin' the Script | Mrs. Shepard | |
| The Coalition | Grandmother Bea Hathaway | Video | |
| JD Lawrence's the Clean Up Woman | Jasmine | TV movie | |
| Brother White | Veena | TV movie | |
| 2013 | The Sins of Deacon Whyles | Mama Whyles | |
| The Love Letter | Josephine | TV movie | |
| Forbidden Woman | Sheila | ||
| 2014 | Knock 'Em Dead | Savannah Johnz | |
| The Dirty 30 | Linda | ||
| 2015 | The Man in 3B | Miss Gina Bertha | |
| 2016 | Ladies Book Club | Mrs. Roxanne Charles | TV movie |
| Just Love | Vernette | TV movie | |
| Broadcasting Christmas | Veronika Daniels | TV movie | |
| A Husband for Christmas | Erin | TV movie | |
| Hail Mary | Nurse Wanda | TV movie | |
| 2017 | Cupid's Proxy | Olive | |
| Wrapped Up In Christmas | Arlene Simons | TV movie | |
| 2018 | It's a Date | Allison Cole | |
| When It Comes Around | Amina | ||
| My Christmas Inn | Susan Taylor | TV movie | |
| 2019 | Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta | Mrs. Bennet | TV movie |
| The Wrong Tutor | Principal Callahan | TV movie | |
| Carole's Christmas | Iris | TV movie | |
| A Family Reunion Christmas | Aunt Dot | TV movie | |
| Christmas on My Mind | Dr. Caroline Albright | TV movie | |
| 2020 | Love in Store | Sharon St. Clair | TV movie |
| The Wrong Wedding Planner | Ms. Johnson | TV movie | |
| The Perfect Mate | Mrs. Adams | ||
| A Christmas for Mary | Deborah | TV movie | |
| 2021 | Deceived by My Mother-In-Law | Denise | TV movie |
| Mommy's Deadly Con Artist | Denise | TV movie | |
| The Wrong Cheer Captain | Principal Simpson | TV movie | |
| Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas | Paulina Price | ||
| 2022 | Killer Design | Dr. Farber | TV movie |
| 2023 | A Snowy Day in Oakland | Mrs. Monroe | |
| Every Breath She Takes | Linda Moss | TV movie | |
| If I Can't Have You | Detective Olsen | TV movie |
Television
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-86 | Another World | Lily Mason | Regular Cast |
| 1985-90 | 227 | Sandra Clark | Main Cast: Season 1–4, Recurring Cast: Season 5 |
| 1988 | Amen | Roxanne Farley | Episode: "A Slight Case of Murder: Part 1 & 2" |
| 1989 | The Women of Brewster Place | Etta Mae Johnson | Episode: "Episode #1.1" & "#1.2" |
| Amen | Florence Hawkins | Episode: "Don't Rain on My Shower" | |
| 1991-92 | The Royal Family | Ruth 'CoCo' Royal | Main Cast |
| 1992 | Designing Women | Vanessa Chamberlain | Episode: "Shades of Vanessa" |
| 1994 | Dave's World | Estelle | Episode: "Saved by Estelle" |
| 1994-99 | Sister, Sister | Lisa Landry | Main Cast |
| 1995-97 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Little Bo Peep/Giant's Wife (voice) | Episode: "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" | |
| 2006-09 | Everybody Hates Chris | Vanessa | Recurring Cast |
| 2008 | The Mighty B! | Nurse (voice) | Episode: "Bee Patients" |
| 2010 | Friends & Lovers | Omar's Mother | Episode: "Episode #1.3 & #1.4" |
| 2011 | She's Still Not Our Sister | Connie | Main Cast |
| 2011-13 | Let's Stay Together | Delores Whitmore | Recurring Cast |
| 2012 | For Richer or Poorer | Mrs. Henderson | Episode: "Ex Files" & "The Switch" |
| Are We There Yet? | Jackée | Episode: "The Ghost Dog Episode" | |
| 2012-15 | The First Family | Pauletta Birdsong | Main Cast |
| 2013 | Celebrity Ghost Stories | Herself | Episode: "Jackee Harry/Louie Anderson/Angie Stone/Richard Burgi" |
| American Dad! | Wanda (voice) | Episode: "For Black Eyes Only" | |
| How to Live with Your Parents... | Jessoka | Episode: "How to Help the Needy" | |
| Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious | Mrs. Jordan | TV series | |
| 2014 | Glee | Herself | Episode: "City of Angels" |
| Instant Mom | Lisa Landry | Episode: "Not Your Mother's Day" | |
| One Love | Nurse Beverly | Episode: "Tea-Ball" | |
| Family Time | Gladys | Episode: "Hospitality" | |
| 2014-15 | Girl Meets World | Evelyn Rand | Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2 |
| 2015 | In the Cut | Nadine Weaver | Main Cast: Season 1 |
| Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Zizza (voice) | Episode: "The Buzz on Windblade" | |
| Young & Hungry | JoJo | Episode: "Young & Christmas" | |
| 2015-17 | Baby Daddy | Judge Earlene Johnson | Guest Cast: Season 4-6 |
| 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" |
| Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy | Hog Queen | Episode: "Hog Hunt" | |
| Malibu Dan the Family Man | Mrs. Leopard | Episode: "Macaroni and Sneeze" | |
| The Paynes | JoAnn Payne | Main Cast | |
| 2019 | The Cool Kids | Lorraine | Episode: "Funeral Crashers" & "Vegas, Baby!" |
| Live in Front of a Studio Audience | Diane | Episode: “Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons” | |
| A Black Lady Sketch Show | Sandra Clark | Episode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade" | |
| Family Reunion | Aunt Dot | Episode: “A Family Reunion Christmas”[24] | |
| 2020-22 | For the Love of Jason | Patricia Grant | Recurring Cast |
| 2021 | Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! | Aunt Elizabeth | Episode: "#ThrillaOnTheGrilla" |
| Pose | Jada | Episode: "Take Me To Church" | |
| Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem | Paulina Price | Main Cast: Season 1 | |
| 2021– | Days of Our Lives | Paulina Price | Regular Cast |
| 2022 | Everything's Trash | Zora | TV series |
| Tuca & Bertie | Tuca's Mother (voice) | Episode: "The Mole" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | 227 | Won | [25] [26] |
| 1988 | Nominated | ||||
| 1989 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | [27] | |
| 2016 | Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards | Best Actress Independent Film | The Man in 3B | Nominated | |
| 1999 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Sister, Sister | Won | [28] |
| 2000 | Won | [29] | |||
| 2021 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Pose | Nominated | [30] |
References
- ^ Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (2006). Historical dictionary of African-American television. Scarecrow Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-8108-5335-5.
- ^ a b Felder, Lynn (October 28, 2017). "Jackée Harry, a Winston-Salem native, keeps 'em laughing". Winston-Salem Journal. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Biography". Jackée Harry. from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Mackay, Kathleen (August 30, 1987). "Jackee Harry's High-tack Style Enlivens '227'". Chicago Tribune. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Kappes, Serena (November 20, 2002). "Jackee from '227' plans TV comeback". CNN. from the original on September 1, 2018. 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. from the original on July 16, 2022. 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. from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ Jacobs, Damon L. (February 26, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Jackee Harry's 'Ideal Husband'". We Love Soaps. from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ Sadlier, Allison (October 3, 2016). "Gloria Naylor dead: Women of Brewster Place author dies at 66". Entertainment Weekly. from the original on September 1, 2018. 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. from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ 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. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Margaret, Mary (April 30, 2007). "Life After Celebrity Fit Club Keeping It Off". People. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "For these stars, the weight is over". Chicago Tribune. August 10, 2005. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Scott, Tony (March 29, 1994). "Sister, Sister the Meeting". Variety. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Fitzharris, Dustin (October 26, 2010). "Jackee Harry On '227' And New BET Show". Essence. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ McDermott, Tyler K. (April 30, 2014). "Jackée Harry & Tia Mowry Reunite on 'Instant Mom'". Jet. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ . 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. from the original on October 28, 2021. 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. from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "Jackée Plays "Celebrity Family Feud" July 25". Jackeeonline.com. Jackeé Harry. from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ The HistoryMakers, Jackee Harry, Tape: 4 Story: 3 - Jackee Harry remembers her marriage from Jerry Jemmott October 24, 2020, at the Wayback Machine.Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ "Jackée Harry Weds in Lavish Beverly Hills Ceremony". Jet. 91 (6): 56–63. December 23, 1996. ISSN 0021-5996. from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Jackée Harry Talks About Her Son Frank, Motherhood And Prioritizing Her Career". Huffington Post. February 26, 2014. from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ^ Dawn, Randee (November 12, 2019). "'Sister, Sister' reunion! Tia Mowry, Jackée Harry together in trailer for special". TODAY.com. from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "Jackée Harry". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Jackée Harry – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "'Stella' earns three NAACP Awards". Northwest Herald. Associated Press. February 16, 1999. from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "31st NAACP Image Awards". The Crisis. 107 (2): 43. March–April 2000. ISSN 0011-1422. from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "25th Annual TV Awards (2020-21)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
External links
- Official website
- Jackée Harry at IMDb
- Jackée Harry at the Internet Broadway Database
- Jackée Harry at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Jackée Harry at AllMovie