Shari Headley Biography

(Actress and Model Best Known for Her Role as ‘Lisa McDowell’ in the Film ‘Coming to America’)

Birthday: July 15, 1964 (Cancer)

Born In: Queens, New York, United States

Shari Headley is an American model and actress, who has made a mark in the movies as well as on television. She came into the limelight when she won a modelling contract in the Fords Models of the Eighties contest. She soon became part of many leading campaigns for global brands, including L’Oréal, Macy’s, Avon and Burger King. She also worked in many popular sitcoms. As far as films are concerned, she starred as Lisa McDowell in the super hit movie ‘Coming to America’ opposite Eddie Murphy. She also received praise for her performance in the comedy movie, ‘Johnson Family Vacation’. She continued to become popular with other hits including ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’, an interesting TV series produced by Oprah Winfrey. She is also known for her performances in many long-running TV shows, including ‘All My Children’, a popular soap opera from ABC wherein she essayed the role of Detective Mimi Reed and ‘413 Hope Street’, on which she appeared alongside Richard Roundtree. Headley is known for her natural acting skills, be it in drama, comedy or romance, she has her own individual style which endears her to a wide audience and fan base.
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Quick Facts

Age: 60 Years, 60 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Christopher Martin (m. 1993 – div. 1995)

father: Godfrey Headley

mother: Sarah Headley

children: Skyler Martin

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Females

Ancestry: Trinidadian and Tobagonian American

City: New York City

U.S. State: New Yorkers

  • 1

    Is Shari Headley still acting?

    Yes, Shari Headley continues to act in various film and television projects.
  • 2

    What are some popular movies Shari Headley has appeared in?

    Shari Headley is best known for her roles in iconic films such as "Coming to America" and its sequel "Coming 2 America."
  • 3

    Does Shari Headley have social media accounts?

    Yes, Shari Headley is active on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
  • 4

    Has Shari Headley ever worked on any television shows?

    Yes, Shari Headley has appeared in several television shows throughout her career, including guest roles and recurring appearances.
  • 5

    Is Shari Headley involved in any charity work?

    Yes, Shari Headley has been involved in various charitable activities and causes over the years, using her platform to support important social issues.
Career
As a child, Shari Headley used to hold a hairbrush like a mike to give mock performances at home. She took part in school plays with much enthusiasm. She was born and bred in New York, but moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. She began her career as a model, appearing in glamour magazines, but was soon catapulted to the small screen in 1985, when she appeared in an episode of the NBC sitcom ‘The Cosby Show’. She then guest starred in several popular television series, including ‘Miami Vice’ (1986) and ‘Gideon Oliver’ (1989). She went on to play guest roles on TV shows like ‘Matlock’ in 1990, ‘New York Undercover’ in 1995 and ‘Walker Texas Ranger in 1996. In the 2000s, she worked continuously, appearing in important roles in many popular shows, including ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2004 - 2005), ‘House M.D.’ (2005), ‘Towelhead’ (2007), ‘Castle’ (2009) and ‘Love that Girl’ (2014).
Her notable film roles include playing Marcheline in ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ (2010), Tianna in ‘Act Like You Love Me’ (2013), Maple in ‘The Congregation’ (2014) and Mrs. Carter ‘Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween’ (2018). In 2015, she appeared in the TV shows ‘Switched at Birth’ and ‘I Really Hate My Ex’. Year 2019 has been a busy year for Headley as she has essayed the role of Imani in the TV movie ‘Three’s Complicated’ and Houston Connelly in the TV series ‘Star’. She plays an important character called Harmony in the TV series ‘On Becoming a God in Central Florida’.
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Rise to Stardom
Shari Headley’s career peaked when she was chosen as the female lead to star in a romantic comedy opposite the famous comedian and star Eddie Murphy. Their first movie together, ‘Coming to America’, was released in 1988 and created waves at the box office. She has worked with many renowned actors, including Denzel Washington in ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ (1996), which was another milestone in her career. Her role as District Attorney Jennifer Sallison in the TV series ‘The Haves and Have Nots’ has shades of grey and traits of villainy, bringing out the depth of Headley’s acting abilities.
Music Videos
Shari Headley’s glamorous looks and bubbly personality helped her star in a few music videos. In 1988, she worked with Jonathan Butler for the music video, ‘Sarah, Sarah’. A few years later, she was once again seen in a music video titled ‘Before I let you go’ by Blackstreet (1994). She also worked with Will Smith in the music video ‘The Wild Wild West’ (1999).
Family & Personal Life
Shari Headley was born on July 15, 1964 to Godfrey and Sarah Headley, in Queens, New York. She has three siblings: an elder brother and two elder sisters. She was married to the actor and hip-hop artist Christopher Martin for two years from May 1993 to June 1995. They have a son named Skyler Martin, who Headley brought up as a single parent. She is also a philanthropist who supports the ‘Saving Our Daughters’ organization, which aims at preventing abuse among teenage girls. She received the 2013 President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama.
Facts About Shari Headley
Shari Headley is not only a talented actress but also a licensed real estate agent in California.
She has a passion for fashion and has designed her own clothing line called Shari by Shari Headley.
In addition to her acting career, Shari is also a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and has worked with various organizations to promote mental wellness.
Shari Headley is a proud mother of one daughter and is actively involved in her daughter's education and extracurricular activities.
Despite her busy schedule, Shari makes time for philanthropy and has supported numerous charitable causes over the years.

How To Cite

Article Title
- Shari Headley Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/shari-headley-44082.php

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