Shirley Hemphill Net Worth
Shirley Hemphill Net Worth
Shirley Ann Hemphill was an American comedian who worked in the entertainment industry for almost three decades. She gained her initial fame through her appearances in comedy clubs in Los Angeles. She later starred in several television shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and What’s Happening! His net worth is $5 million.
She was born on July 1, 1947, in Asheville, North Carolina. Her father’s name was Richard and her mother’s name was Mozella. After graduating from Stephens-Lee High School, she attended Morristown College. From there, she moved to Los Angeles. While attending Morristown College, she was awarded an athletic scholarship. She majored in physical education. In 1967, she graduated and started working in the nylon manufacturing industry in Asheville. However, she soon moved to Los Angeles, where she began performing in nightclubs.
While in Los Angeles, she also appeared on BET’s Black Comedy Showcase and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She was also cast in a series of guest roles on television shows.
She eventually won the role of waitress Shirley Wilson on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!. The show ran for sixty episodes from 1976 to 1979. It was canceled due to lack of interest in the first season. It was renamed and aired in syndication from 1985 to 1988.
Following the cancellation of the sitcom, she returned to stand-up comedy. During this period, she was recruited by Joan Murray, who cast her in an episode of Good Times.
Hemphill also starred in One in a Million, a short-lived sitcom that aired on ABC in 1980. Though not a huge hit, it was moderately popular. She was also a regular on BET’s Black Comedy Showcase. She also co-starred in Shoot the Moon in 2000.
Despite her brief appearances on other television shows, she is best known for her starring role on What’s Happening!!. She is estimated to have earned $3 million to $5 million over the course of her career.
Before her acting career, she was employed as a waitress in Los Angeles. When she was in her twenties, she was invited by Flip Wilson to visit the set of his show. Hemphill recorded her act on a cassette tape, and Wilson responded by sending her a dozen roses.
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Hemphill’s other notable credits include a guest-starring role on the series CB4 in 1993. She was also a regular on the comedy show The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, and she appeared on A&E’s An Evening at the Improv.
In addition to her acting and stand-up performances, she has also appeared in a number of films. Most of her other film roles were uncredited. At the time of her death, she was 52 years old. She died from kidney failure, and her ashes were given to her family.
As a comedienne, she was ranked among the top Comedians of all time, according to various online sources. Though she is not married, she prefers to keep her personal life private. She has an Instagram and a Facebook page.
