Jackee Harry

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Jackée Harry — Life, Career, and Memable Quotes

Explore the life and legacy of Jackée Harry — the Emmy-winning American actress, comedian, and television star best known for 227 and Sister, Sister. Discover her biography, career milestones, and inspiring quotes.

Introduction

Jackée Harry (born Jacqueline Yvonne Harry on August 14, 1956) is an American actress, comedian, and television personality celebrated for her charismatic performances, sharp wit, and barrier-breaking achievements. She became a household name starring as Sandra Clark on the NBC sitcom 227 (1985–1990), earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series—the first African American to win in that category.

Beyond 227, Harry’s roles on shows such as Sister, Sister, appearances in films, and more recent roles in soap operas solidify her as a versatile, enduring figure in entertainment.
Below, you’ll find her life story, career arc, legacy, and memorable quotations that reflect her humor, perspective, and spirit.

Early Life and Education

Jackée Harry was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to an African American father and a mother with Afro-Trinidadian heritage. When she was about nine years old, her family moved to Harlem, New York, where she was raised.

She displayed interest in performance early. She studied acting at the High School of the Performing Arts in New York City. After high school, Harry attended Long Island University, from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Before her breakout in television, she worked as a teacher of American history at Brooklyn Technical High School for a time.

Career and Achievements

Theater and Early Work

Harry’s performance career began on stage. Her early credits include Broadway and off-Broadway roles. Over the 1980s, she appeared in numerous theatrical productions, gradually making her way into television and film.

Breakthrough with 227

Her major television breakthrough was in 1985, when she was cast as Sandra Clark on the NBC sitcom 227, opposite Marla Gibbs (who played Mary Jenkins). Jackée’s bold, sassy, and comedic presence made Sandra Clark a standout character.

In 1987, she made history by winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in 227, becoming the first African American ever to win in that category.

During her run on 227, Harry and co-star Marla Gibbs had a period of tension (reportedly due to disputes over billing and screen time), but later they reconciled and spoke openly about the issues.

Later Television & Film Work

After 227, Jackée Harry continued to build a varied career. Some highlights:

• She starred as Lisa Landry on the sitcom Sister, Sister from 1994 to 1999.

• She has had recurring and guest roles in series such as Everybody Hates Chris, Let’s Stay Together, The First Family, and more.

• In 2021, she joined the cast of the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, playing Paulina Price.

• On the film side, one of her better-known roles is in Ladybugs (1992) opposite Rodney Dangerfield.

Harry has also appeared in Broadway and musical theater roles throughout her career, returning periodically to the stage.

Legacy and Influence

Jackée Harry’s influence resonates on multiple fronts:

• Barrier-breaking Emmy win: Her Emmy for 227 broke a significant color and gender barrier in television awards history.

• Strong female comedic voice: She brought charisma, sass, and presence to roles often defined by supporting or “sidekick” parts, showing that comedic strength can be central.

• Longevity & versatility: Spanning sitcoms, drama, soap operas, films, and theater, she has sustained relevance across decades.

• Role model for Black actresses: Her career path offers a template for navigating typecasting, evolving roles, and sustained career growth in a competitive industry.

Her ongoing work in Days of Our Lives adds a new dimension to her legacy — crossing into daytime drama and introducing her to newer audiences.

Selected Quotes by Jackée Harry

Here are some memorable, representative quotes by Jackée Harry that reflect her wit, insight, and personal philosophy:

• “Right now I am trying to be in a place of calm, a place where I can chill out and then handle the chaos of life better. You don’t just get it overnight; you have to work at it. It’s a daily struggle.”

• “I like writing my own material — I’m pretty good at it.”

• “If you’re being attacked by something on the outside, which I feel a lot being in show business, you just have to dial it back and breathe and know that you are protected.”

• “When I got ‘227’ and broke out from the rest of the cast, I became a workaholic, and I was very lonely.”

• “Women often come up not knowing how to make decisions. We get wishy-washy. We become great wage earners — breadwinners — but we don’t know how to control empires.”

• “I hate to say it, but the older you get, you really do have to cut down on the amount you eat. Less food and less portions.”

• “I was always telling my family I wanted to become an actress, and I did.”

• “I like beautiful clothing. I love Bergdorfs.”

These quotes reveal her approach to self-confidence, career challenges, creative control, and daily life.

Lessons from Jackée Harry’s Life and Career

1. Persist through challenges
   Harry’s journey from stage and teaching to breakout television roles shows that persistence and steady advancement matter.

2. Take creative control
   Her desire to write her own material and shape her roles speaks to the value of agency in one’s artistic path.

3. Maintain self-awareness and calm
   Her quotes about “finding calm” suggest she continually works to balance the pressures of public life with personal peace.

4. Break barriers while nurturing others
   By achieving historic milestones, she opens doors for others. Her career encourages younger talents, especially women of color, to believe in their own worth.

5. Adapt and evolve
   Harry’s ability to move between sitcoms, drama, soap operas, stage, and film shows flexibility—a key to sustained relevance in entertainment.

Conclusion

Jackée Harry is more than a comedic actress — she stands as a trailblazer, a resilient performer, and a voice of wit and integrity in television and theater. Her Emmy win, her strong and bold characters, and her perseverance define her legacy.

Whether you're revisiting 227, discovering her newer work on Days of Our Lives, or drawing inspiration from her words, Jackée Harry’s story is one of ambition, grace, and laughing in the face of challenge.