Shirley Hemphill
Biography
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.
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Full filmography
- The Love Boat (1977) as Charlene Grover
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Martin (1992) as Sister Claus
- Oddity Archive (2012) as Shirley Wilson (archive footage)
- Good Times (1974)
- The Wayans Bros. (1995) as Coco
- What's Happening!! (1976) as Shirley Wilson
- What's Happening Now!! (1985) as Shirley Wilson
- All's Fair (1976)
- The Richard Pryor Show (1977)
- One in a Million (1980) as Shirley Simmons
- CB4 (1993) as 976-Sexy
- Dancing in the Wings (1985) as Shirley
- The Richard Pryor Special? (1977) as Pushy Fan from Tour Group