Shirley Hemphill was a popular American stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role as Shirley Wilson, the sassy waitress on the sitcom ‘What’s Happening!!’. She had a successful career in comedy and television, but her life ended tragically and lonely. Here is the story of how Shirley Hemphill died of kidney failure at the age of 52.
Early Life and Career
Shirley Ann Hemphill was born on July 1, 1947, in Asheville, North Carolina, to Richard and Mozella Hemphill. She had a brother, William, who was a Vietnam War veteran. She attended Hill Street School and Stephens-Lee High School, where she developed an interest in athletics. She later won a scholarship to Morristown College, where she majored in physical education.
Hemphill returned to Asheville after graduating from college and got a job in a factory manufacturing nylons. She also started performing as a stand-up comedian, sending a cassette tape of one of her routines to Flip Wilson, a famous comedian. Wilson was impressed by her talent and invited her to visit the set of his show. Hemphill decided to pursue a career in comedy and moved to Los Angeles by bus.
She got a job as a waitress during the day and performed at The Comedy Store at night. Her routine caught the attention of casting agent Joan Murray, who gave her a guest role on ‘Good Times’. She also appeared on ‘All’s Fair’ and turned down an offer from Norman Lear for her own spin-off series. Instead, she auditioned and won the role of Shirley Wilson on ‘What’s Happening!!’, a sitcom loosely based on the 1975 film ‘Cooley High’.
Fame and Fortune
‘What’s Happening!!’ premiered on ABC in 1976 and became a modest hit. The show followed the adventures of three teenage boys: Raj (Ernest Thomas), Rerun (Fred Berry), and Dwayne (Haywood Nelson). Hemphill played the role of Shirley Wilson, the wise-cracking waitress at Rob’s Place, where the boys hung out. She often teased them with her witty remarks and sarcastic humor.
Hemphill became a fan favorite and received positive reviews for her performance. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television in 1979. She also earned a decent salary of $5,000 per episode.
However, the show faced production and cast problems, such as disputes over contracts and salaries, creative differences, and low ratings. ABC canceled the show in 1979 after three seasons. Hemphill then starred in her own sitcom, ‘One in a Million’, in 1980. The show featured her as Shirley Simmons, a taxi driver who inherits a large corporation from one of her passengers. The show failed to attract an audience and was canceled after six months.
In 1985, Hemphill reprised her role as Shirley Wilson in the syndicated revival of ‘What’s Happening!!’, titled ‘What’s Happening Now!!’. In this version, her character was co-owner of the restaurant where she worked. The show also featured some of the original cast members as well as new ones. The show aired for three seasons until 1988.
After the show’s cancellation, Hemphill returned to stand-up comedy and made occasional appearances in films and television shows. Some of her credits include ‘Martin’, ‘The Wayans Bros.’, ‘CB4’, ‘On Our Own’, and ‘The Parent ‘Hood’.
Death and Legacy
Hemphill lived alone in West Covina, California. She suffered from obesity and renal failure, which affected her health. On December 10, 1999, she was found dead in her home by her gardener. He looked through a window and saw her lying on her bedroom floor. An autopsy determined that she died of kidney failure.
She was 52 years old at the time of her death. Her body was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea. She did not marry or have any children. She left behind her brother, William, who died in 2011.
Hemphill was the second ‘What’s Happening!!’ actor to die in as many months. Mabel King, who played Mama on the show, died on November 9, 1999, from complications of diabetes. She was 66 years old.
Hemphill is remembered as one of the first African-American female comedians to achieve mainstream success. She paved the way for other comedians like Whoopi Goldberg, Mo’Nique, Wanda Sykes, and Tiffany Haddish. She is also remembered for her role as Shirley Wilson, one of the most iconic characters in sitcom history.
She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. She was also inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Her fans and friends continue to celebrate her life and legacy on social media and other platforms.
Shirley Hemphill was a talented and funny woman who made millions of people laugh with her comedy and charisma. She had a successful career in show business, but she also faced many challenges and hardships. She died alone and young, but she left behind a lasting impression on the world of entertainment. She was a star who will always shine bright.
