- Born
- Died
- Birth nameShirley Ann Hemphill
- Shirley Hemphill was born on July 1, 1947 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. She was an actress, known for What's Happening!! (1976), What's Happening Now! (1985) and Martin (1992). She died on December 10, 1999 in West Covina, California, USA.
- The Monday after Hemphill died, Rosie O'Donnell praised her on her show. She stated that Shirley was the first celebrity she met when she first began stand-up comedy and credits Shirley with helping her land her first paying job, by telling the managers to put Rosie on stage, at a club where Shirley was also performing. Rosie also did a small dedication to Shirley on her show.
- After sending a tape cassette of her funniest, most clever material to Flip Wilson, she received the encouragement and motivation to pursue her dream of becoming a comedy performer.
- When she relocated to Los Angeles in 1973, she split her time between a variety of waitress jobs and polishing her act at comedy clubs.
- Won an athletic scholarship to Morristown College, graduating with an AA (Physical Education), in 1967.
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