Jackée Harry attends 2023 Variety Power Of Women at Mother Wolf on November 16, 2023.Photo:Unique Nicole/WireImage
Unique Nicole/WireImage
The iconic actress — renowned for playing Sandra Clark on the ’80s sitcom227 —not only graced our screens for decades with unparalleled talent but also stands tall as the trailblazing first Black actress to clinch an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987.
Beating outEstelle Gettyas Sophia Petrillo onThe Golden GirlsandJustine Batemanas Mallory Keaton onFamily Ties, Harry, now 67, reflects on that evening in September 1987 in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.
“I wasn’t aware that I could win or would win because I wasn’t thinking that way,” she says. “I was coming in hot — I knew that! But I didn’t fully appreciate the scope. It was happening to me; I was observing it. In retrospect, now I know how important it was, but I didn’t see it coming at all — but I did see success.”
Jackée Harry backstage at the 1987 Emmy Awards.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
To this day, only two other Black women have won in the category.Sheryl Lee Ralphwasrecognizedfor her portrayal of kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard onAbbott Elementaryin 2022 and last month,Ayo Edebiriwon for her performanceonThe Bear.
Sandra Clark — Harry’s vivacious character from227and asocial media sensation today— was a character she created with inspiration fromLucille Ball, Mae West and a friend with a nasal speaking voice. She admits the role came with its advantages and disadvantages.
“It was a blessing and a curse because people think I talk like that now, but it was formulated,” Harry says. “Of course, I got typecast, but it works now.”
Airing from 1985 to 1989, with the legendaryMarla Gibbsleading the cast in a series set in a Washington, D.C. neighborhood,227propelled Harry to household fame during an era when there was a scarcity of television shows portraying Black communities. Looking back, she recalls a whirlwind experience.
Jackée Harry as Sandra Clark on “227”.Fotos International/Getty
Fotos International/Getty
Jackée Harry with Tim Reid, Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry in a 1994 episode of “Sister, Sister”.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
“When you say groundbreaking,The Women of Brewster Placemeans so much to me,” Harry says. “It meant more to me than227because I wanted to be a serious actress.”
The poignant scene where the women break through a brick wall on Brewster Place holds vivid memories for Harry, who recounts the realness of that moment.
“We worked from the night into dawn,” she remembers. “We didn’t get off until six in the morning. We started at 10 o’clock that morning, and we worked through the day until the next day. I got sick after that; I got pneumonia. We cried. We laughed. We did it a million times, and the rain was pouring. It was real. It wasn’t fake. We were sobbing. It was very stressful, but so satisfying when I saw it.”
Jackée Harry with James Reynolds on “Days of Our Lives.".Unique Nicole/WireImage
When asked if things have improved, she quips, “A little bit!” before adding, “Yes, it’s gotten better. Yes, keep hope alive!”
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“I thought I’d be retired, sitting on a beach in San Diego, having Mai Tais with young boys dancing on the table!” she says.But that doesn’t mean work comes first for Harry. “I’m learning to put my personal happiness in front of my career,” she says. “That’s the most important thing that’s happened to me. That’s my advice to young people, your personal happiness is important; put it ahead of your career, if you can. But if I had to do it again, I would still do it the same.”
source: people.com
