Home / Arts and Entertainment / Veteran Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph Reflects on Legendary Mentors and Career Milestones
Veteran Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph Reflects on Legendary Mentors and Career Milestones
31 Aug
Summary
- Sheryl Lee Ralph worked with iconic talents like Sidney Poitier and Uta Hagen
- Her mentors would say "I told you" about her recent success
- Ralph marvels at her journey from a TV child to an Emmy-winning actress
In August 2025, veteran actress Sheryl Lee Ralph looked back on the legendary mentors who guided her throughout her decades-long career in the entertainment industry. The 68-year-old star, who currently co-stars on the hit ABC comedy "Abbott Elementary," revealed that she had the privilege of working with some of the most iconic talents in the business, including the late Sidney Poitier and renowned acting teacher Uta Hagen.
Ralph expressed that if these mentors were still alive today, they would likely be saying "I told you" in response to her recent success, including her 2022 Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The actress became emotional when reflecting on this career milestone, admitting she was "so stunned" when her name was called.
Looking back on her journey, Ralph marveled at how far she has come, from being a "TV child" who would sit in front of a black-and-white television set to now standing in the "magic of television and the magic of Hollywood." She also recalled a moment when the late great Cicely Tyson predicted that "many great things are going to happen" to Ralph, a testament to the support and encouragement she received from her mentors over the years.
