SH
Shirley Hemphill
Actor
Born July 1, 1947Died December 10, 1999 (52 years)
Shirley Ann Hemphill (July 1, 1947 – December 10, 1999) was an American stand-up comedian and actress best known for brassy waitress Shirley Wilson on the sitcom What's Happening!! (1976–79), a role she reprised in the sequel series What's Happening Now!! (1985–88).
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Hemphill moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. After working the Los Angeles comedy club circuit, her routine eventually attracted attention leading to her being cast in guest starring roles on television.
What's Happening!! was a modest hit for ABC, but production and cast problems caused the network to cancel the series in 1979. The following year, Hemphill was cast in her own sitcom, One in a Million. The series failed to attract an audience and was canceled in June 1980.
Following the cancellation of What's Happening Now!!, Hemphill returned to stand-up comedy and also made occasional appearances in films and television until her death in December 1999.
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Hemphill moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. After working the Los Angeles comedy club circuit, her routine eventually attracted attention leading to her being cast in guest starring roles on television.
What's Happening!! was a modest hit for ABC, but production and cast problems caused the network to cancel the series in 1979. The following year, Hemphill was cast in her own sitcom, One in a Million. The series failed to attract an audience and was canceled in June 1980.
Following the cancellation of What's Happening Now!!, Hemphill returned to stand-up comedy and also made occasional appearances in films and television until her death in December 1999.
Filmography
| 2012 | Oddity Archive (TV Series) · as Shirley Wilson (archive Footage) |
| 1998 | Linc's (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1997 | Pauly (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1995 | The Wayans Bros. (TV Series) · as Coco |
| 1993 | The Sinbad Show (TV Series) · as Mamie |
| 1993 | CB4 · as 976-Sexy |
| 1992 | Martin (TV Series) · as Sister Claus |
| 1985 | What's Happening Now! (TV Series) |
| 1984 | Pryor's Place (TV Series) · as Shopkeeper |
| 1980 | One in a Million (TV Series) · as Shirley Simmons |
| 1979 | Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) · as Lacy |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Show (TV Series) |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Special? · as Pushy Fan From Tour Group |
| 1977 | The Love Boat (TV Series) · as Charlene Grover |
| 1976 | All's Fair (TV Series) |
| 1976 | What's Happening!! (TV Series) · as Shirley Wilson |
| 1974 | Good Times (TV Series) |