Actor
Shirley Hemphill
July 1, 1947 · Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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.
Often works with
LaWanda Page
3 titles together
CB4, The Richard Pryor Show, The Richard Pryor Special?
Martin Lawrence
3 titles together
Martin, What's Happening Now!!, Oddity Archive
Teddy Wilson
3 titles together
Good Times, What's Happening!!, What's Happening Now!!
Alice Ghostley
3 titles together
Good Times, What's Happening Now!!, All's Fair
Ernest Lee Thomas
3 titles together
What's Happening!!, What's Happening Now!!, Oddity Archive
Haywood Nelson
3 titles together
What's Happening!!, What's Happening Now!!, Oddity Archive
Full filmography · 13
Oddity Archive
as Shirley Wilson (archive footage)
2012
The Wayans Bros.
as Coco
19957.2
Martin
as Sister Claus
19927.5
What's Happening Now!!
as Shirley Wilson
1985
One in a Million
as Shirley Simmons
1980
The Love Boat
as Charlene Grover
19776.3
The Richard Pryor Show
cast
1977
All's Fair
cast
1976
What's Happening!!
as Shirley Wilson
19767.4
Good Times
cast
19748