Welcome to the club.
Jackée Harry — who won the 1987 Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in “227” — celebrated Sheryl Lee Ralph’s win in the same category at the 2022 Emmys.
“Winning my Emmy was a career highlight, but it was also a lonely experience,” Harry, 66, tweeted moments after Ralph’s win Monday night.
“For 35 years I’ve been the only Black woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actresses (sic) in a Comedy Series. But that all changes tonight…and it’s come full circle! #Emmys”
The “Sister, Sister” actress noted that NBC, the network behind “227,” had originally wanted Ralph to play the role of Sandra. However, Harry “got the part and won an Emmy for it.”
She continued in a separate tweet, “Now, Sheryl joins me as the 2nd Black woman in this category and deservedly so! I’m so excited for her #Emmys win!”
Harry dubbed the “Moesha” star, 65, as “one of the nicest people in Hollywood” and said her “Abbott Elementary” no-nonsense character, Barbara Howard, is “another fabulous character we’ve been fortunate to watch her breathe life into.”
Ralph was up against her “Abbott Elementary” co-star Janelle James, as well as Juno Temple, Sarah Niles and Hannah Waddingham, who were all nominated for their roles in “Ted Lasso.”
Additionally, “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” actress Alex Borstein and “Saturday Night Live’s” Kate McKinnon were all up for the award.
Ralph thrilled the Emmy audience when she got on stage and began powerfully singing during her acceptance speech, “I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim’s song. I am a woman, I am an artist. And I know where my voice belongs.”
“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true. I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like this,” she concluded.
Follow our up-to-the-minute coverage of TV’s biggest night:
Michael Keaton, who won Best Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his role in Hulu’s “Dopesick,” also surprised audiences during his own speech, which was partially censored.
“Over the years we’ve all been through a lot of tough times. There have been some doubters. I’ve had some doubters. You know what? We’re cool. But I also had those people for all these years when times were rough who were true believers. I f–king love you,” he expressed as the audio cut off during the last sentence.
