Jackée Harry

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Jackée Harry
Harry at a December 2010 performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker
Born
Jacqueline Yvonne Harry

(1956-08-14) August 14, 1956 (age 67)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationLong Island University, Post (BA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • television personality
Years active1978–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1984)​
Elgin Charles Williams
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2003)​
Children2
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

Jacqueline Yvonne "Jackée" Harry (born August 14, 1956) is an American actress 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.

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[edit]

Early life and education[edit]

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[edit]

Theater[edit]

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[edit]

Harry attending the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards in August 1988

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.[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[edit]

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[edit]

Film[edit]

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 Alf Loves a Mystery Countess TV movie
1988 Crash Course Edna Savage TV movie
1989 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
So Fly Christmas Harriet TV movie

Television[edit]

Year Show Role Notes
1983–86 Another World Lily Mason Regular Cast
1985–86 Pyramid Herself/Celebrity Contestant Recurring Guest
1985–90 227 Sandra Clark Main Cast: Season 1–4, Recurring Cast: Season 5
1986 Super Password Herself/Celebrity Contestant Recurring Guest
1986–87 The New Hollywood Squares Herself/Panelist Recurring Guest
1987 Friday Night Videos Herself Episode: "May 1, 1987"
Win, Lose or Draw Herself Episode: "September 14, 1987"
The Wil Shriner Show Herself Episode: "Episode #1.6"
Dolly Herself Episode: "Episode #1.6"
1988 One to Grow On Herself Episode: "Self-Confidence" & "Telling Whoppers"
Amen Roxanne Farley Episode: "A Slight Case of Murder: Part 1 & 2"
1988–89 American Black Achievement Awards Herself/Host Main Host
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"
1990–91 An Evening at the Improv Herself Episode: "Episode #6.12" & "#7.22"
1991–92 The Royal Family Ruth 'CoCo' Royal Main Cast
1992 It's Showtime at the Apollo Herself/Guest Host Episode: "Episode #5.15" & "#5.16"
Designing Women Vanessa Chamberlain Episode: "Shades of Vanessa"
1994 Soul Train Herself/Guest Host Episode: "Lalah Hathaway/Melvin Riley/Immature"
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"
1998–04 Hollywood Squares Herself/Panelist Recurring Guest
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 Celebrity Fit Club Herself Main Cast: Season 2
That's So Raven Dava Episode: "Goin' Hollywood"
One on One Sherri St. Croix Episode: "Waiting for Huffman"
2006 VH1: All Access Herself Episode: "Where Are They Now?: Celebrity Fit Club"
2006–09 Everybody Hates Chris Vanessa Recurring Cast
2007 The A-List Herself Episode: "Flirts"
2008 The Mighty B! Nurse (voice) Episode: "Bee Patients"
2009 Split Ends Herself Episode: "Shi Salon and Elgin Charles"
2010 RuPaul's Drag U Herself/Faculty Episode: "Plump and Circumstance"
Friends & Lovers Omar's Mother Episode: "Episode #1.3 & #1.4"
2011 Beverly Hills Fabulous Herself Recurring Cast
Life After Herself Recurring Guest
She's Still Not Our Sister Connie Main Cast
2011–12 Tia & Tamera Herself Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2
2011–13 Let's Stay Together Delores Whitmore Recurring Cast: Season 1-2, Guest: Season 3
2012 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Herself/Celebrity Contestant Episode: "Celebrity Week for Alzheimer's 4"
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"
Braxton Family Values Herself Episode: "A Diva's Dilemma"
American Dad! Wanda (voice) Episode: "For Black Eyes Only"
How to Live with Your Parents... Jessoka Episode: "How to Help the Needy"
2014 Oprah: Where Are They Now? Herself Episode: "Brooke Burke-Charvet, Robby Benson and Jackée Harry"
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
2015 Celebrity Wife Swap Herself Episode: "Jackee Harry/Traci Lords"
New Money Herself Episode: "Don't Go Jetskiing with 30 Pounds of Gold On"
Chopped Herself/Contestant Episode: "Sitcom Moms"
Celebrity Food Fight Herself Episode: "Merry Feastmas"
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"
2015–16 Guilty Pleasures Herself Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2
2015–17 Baby Daddy Judge Earlene Johnson Guest Cast: Season 4-6
2016 Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul Herself Episode: "Featuring the Cast of 227"
Botched Herself Episode: "Pinched Perfect"
Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Tim Reid"
2 Broke Girls Ruby Episode: "And the Sax Problem"
2017 Battle of the Network Stars Herself/Contestant Episode: "TV Moms & Dads vs. TV Kids"
The Thundermans Officer Bosco Episode: "Orange Is the New Max"
2017–20 Funny You Should Ask Herself Recurring Guest: 94 episodes
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 Celebrity Family Feud Herself/Celebrity Contestant Episode: "Nev Schulman vs. Jimmie Allen and Paul Reubens vs. David Arquette"
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 Soul of a Nation Herself Episode: "Screen Queens Rising"
Everything's Trash Zora Recurring Cast
Tuca & Bertie Tuca's Mother (voice) Episode: "The Mole"
2023 A Black Lady Sketch Show Queen Gladys Knight Episode: "My Love Language Is Words of Defamation"
Human Resources Deb (voice) Episode: "Paul Me By Your Name"'
As Luck Would Have It Gabbi Luck Main Cast
2024 Clone High Jackée the Ripper (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 3
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Merle (voice) Episode: "Suit Up!"

Awards and nominations[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (2006). Historical dictionary of African-American television. Scarecrow Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-8108-5335-5.
  2. ^ a b Felder, Lynn (October 28, 2017). "Jackée Harry, a Winston-Salem native, keeps 'em laughing". Winston-Salem Journal. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "Biography". Jackée Harry. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  4. ^ Mackay, Kathleen (August 30, 1987). "Jackee Harry's High-tack Style Enlivens '227'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d Kappes, Serena (November 20, 2002). "Jackee from '227' plans TV comeback". CNN. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. 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. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  8. ^ Jacobs, Damon L. (February 26, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Jackee Harry's 'Ideal Husband'". We Love Soaps. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  9. ^ Sadlier, Allison (October 3, 2016). "Gloria Naylor dead: Women of Brewster Place author dies at 66". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. 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. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  11. ^ 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. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  12. ^ Margaret, Mary (April 30, 2007). "Life After Celebrity Fit Club Keeping It Off". People. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  13. ^ "For these stars, the weight is over". Chicago Tribune. August 10, 2005. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  14. ^ Scott, Tony (March 29, 1994). "Sister, Sister the Meeting". Variety. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  15. ^ Fitzharris, Dustin (October 26, 2010). "Jackee Harry On '227' And New BET Show". Essence. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  16. ^ McDermott, Tyler K. (April 30, 2014). "Jackée Harry & Tia Mowry Reunite on 'Instant Mom'". Jet. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. 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. ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 24, 2021). "Watch Jackée Harry's 'scandalous' debut as Paulina on Days of Our Lives". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  19. ^ 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. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  20. ^ "Jackée Plays "Celebrity Family Feud" July 25". Jackeeonline.com. Jackeé Harry. July 21, 2021. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  21. ^ The HistoryMakers, Jackee Harry, Tape: 4 Story: 3 - Jackee Harry remembers her marriage from Jerry Jemmott Archived October 24, 2020, at the Wayback Machine.Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  22. ^ "Jackée Harry Weds in Lavish Beverly Hills Ceremony". Jet. 91 (6): 56–63. December 23, 1996. ISSN 0021-5996. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  23. ^ "Jackée Harry Talks About Her Son Frank, Motherhood And Prioritizing Her Career". Huffington Post. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  24. ^ Dawn, Randee (November 12, 2019). "'Sister, Sister' reunion! Tia Mowry, Jackée Harry together in trailer for special". TODAY.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  25. ^ "Jackée Harry". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "Jackée Harry – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  28. ^ "'Stella' earns three NAACP Awards". Northwest Herald. Associated Press. February 16, 1999. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  29. ^ "31st NAACP Image Awards". The Crisis. 107 (2): 43. March–April 2000. ISSN 0011-1422. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  30. ^ "25th Annual TV Awards (2020-21)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved May 15, 2021.

External links[edit]

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