Sheryl Lee Ralph to Be Honored With Sidney Poitier Icon Tribute at Gotham Television Awards (EXCLUSIVE)
The Gotham will honor Ralph for continuing to inspire, uplift, and break new ground through her many projects including her work on ABC's 'Abbott Elementary.'
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Founded in 2023 by The Gotham in partnership with the Poitier family, and chaired by Gotham Board member Colman Domingo, the Sidney Poitier Initiative celebrates his transformative legacy. The Sidney Poitier Initiative's mission is to honor the groundbreaking actor, director, and activist by supporting inclusive programs that further the film and media careers of students, professionals, and organizations from underrepresented backgrounds.
'Over the course of her distinguished career across film, television, and stage, including her recent, widely celebrated performance as Barbara Howard in 'Abbott Elementary,' Sheryl Lee Ralph has carved out a singular place in entertainment history,' said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute. 'After making her feature debut in Sidney Poitier's 'A Piece in Action,' she has continued to embody his spirit of purpose, dignity, and excellence. Honoring her with the Sidney Poitier Icon Tribute at the Gotham Television Awards will be a powerful, full-circle moment.'
Ralph won the 2022 Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and the Critics' Choice Award for best supporting actress in a Comedy Series. In 2023 and 2024, she received her second and third Emmy nominations for this role. Ralph first made a name for herself on television starring alongside Grammy Award winner Brandy in over 100 episodes of UPN's 'Moesha.'
At 20 years old, Ralph made her feature film debut opposite Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier in Warner Bros.' 'A Piece of the Action,' which Poitier also directed. She went on to work on films including 'The Mighty Quinn' starring opposite Denzel Washington, 'Mistress' with Robert De Niro, 'To Sleep with Anger' with Danny Glover, and 'The Distinguished Gentleman' with Eddie Murphy.
Ralph has also appeared on Broadway starring in 'Dreamgirls' where she landed best actress noms at both the Tony and Drama Desk awards. She recently appeared as Madame Morrible in 'Wicked,' becoming the first African American actress to play that role on stage.
As previously announced, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, as well as Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, will receive Creator Tributes and that Elisabeth Moss and the cast of 'The Handmaid's Tale' will receive the inaugural Ensemble Tribute at the second annual Gotham Television Awards.
The nominations in the 12 competitive award categories at the second annual Gotham Television Awards were previously announced.
Winners of the Second Annual Gotham Television Awards will be honored at the awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, June 2, which will be livestreamed on Variety's YouTube channel.
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