Sherri Shepherd is a versatile entertainer, an Emmy-winning comedian, actress, author, and daytime talk show host. She is known for her resilience, sharp wit, and ability to connect deeply with audiences across TV and media.
Early Life & Education
Sherri Evonne Shepherd was born on April 22, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, and later moved to the suburb of Hoffman Estates at age 11. Raised in a family of three sisters, she grew up amid the challenges of her parents’ divorce and her mother’s early passing.
Originally trained as a legal secretary, Shepherd followed her passion for comedy, a spark ignited by her natural wit and encouragement from peers, which eventually led her to pursue stand-up and acting in her mid-20s.
Sherri Shepherd’s Career
Sherri Shepherd’s entertainment journey reflects resilience, versatility, and a distinct comedic voice. Her breakthrough came in 1995 with her first television acting role on the sitcom Cleghorne!, a short-lived WB show that, despite early cancellation, marked her full-time entry into the industry.
However, her career path was not without hardship, as she later shared that she “lost my apartment, my car was repossessed, and I was homeless for a year” during that period.
She gained widespread recognition as Sheila Yarborough on The Jamie Foxx Show (1999–2001), then displayed her comedic range as Ramona Platt in Less Than Perfect (2002–2006), a role that cemented her status as a lead sitcom actress.
Her television presence expanded with recurring roles on Suddenly Susan, Everybody Loves Raymond, and The War at Home.
In 2007, Sherri Shepherd became a permanent co-host on ABC’s daytime talk show The View, where she remained through 2014. Her tenure included multiple Daytime Emmy nominations and a win in 2009, alongside ensemble honors for shows like Precious.
She also co-hosted the 35th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008 and ventured into hosting game and trivia programs, including The Newlywed Game on GSN (2010–2013) and Best Ever Trivia Show on GSN starting in 2019.
Shepherd’s acting credits span sitcoms like 30 Rock, where she portrayed Angie Jordan, and her own self-titled sitcom Sherri (2009) on Lifetime, which was loosely based on her life.
On-screen, she appeared in films such as Precious, Beauty Shop, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Think Like a Man, and Ride Along 2. She also starred in the TV movie Abducted: The Carlina White Story and co-starred in One for the Money.
Beyond acting, Shepherd authored two books: Permission Slips: Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself a Break and the bestselling Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don’t Have It).
She’s embraced her roots in comedy with her one-hour special Sherri Shepherd: It’s My Time to Talk on EPIX and promoted awareness for developmental disabilities via her partnership with the YAI National Institute.
In 2022, Sherri launched her own syndicated talk show, Sherri, which has aired over 460 episodes across four seasons and earned acclaim, including a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series Host in 2023.
Driven by honesty, humor, and a heartfelt connection with her audience, Shepherd continues to be a prominent media personality.
Personal Life
Sherri Shepherd married Jeff Tarpley in 2001, and they have a son, Jeffrey (born April 2005). After their divorce in 2010, she wed writer Lamar Sally in 2011.
They welcomed a son, Lamar Jr., via surrogacy in 2014, though her later legal challenges attempted to alter her parental legal status, which a court ultimately rejected.
Shepherd, formerly a Jehovah’s Witness, now identifies as an evangelical Christian and openly shares her faith and health journey, especially managing type 2 diabetes following a surprising diagnosis.
Net Worth
Estimates place Sherri Shepherd’s net worth between $1.5 million and $10 million. One source cites an annual salary of $1.5 million and a net worth of $1.5 million, while others note a value closer to $10 million—likely reflecting her earnings from long-running talk shows, sitcoms, film roles, books, and production credits.
