13 Facts About Shirley Hemphill

Shirley Ann Hemphill was an American stand-up comedian and actress.

Shirley Hemphill was born in Asheville, North Carolina, to Richard and Mozella Shirley Hemphill.

Shirley Hemphill attended Hill Street School and Stephens-Lee High School, and later won an athletics scholarship to Morristown College where she majored in physical education.

Shirley Hemphill returned to Asheville two years later and got a job in a factory manufacturing nylons.

An aspiring stand-up comedian, Shirley Hemphill sent a cassette tape of one of her comedy routines to Flip Wilson.

Wilson invited Shirley Hemphill to visit the set of The Flip Wilson Show.

Shirley Hemphill quit her job and traveled to Los Angeles by bus.

Shirley Hemphill got a job waitressing during the day and performed at The Comedy Store at night.

Shirley Hemphill's character worked at Rob's Place, the restaurant the boys frequented.

The day after losing the role, Shirley Hemphill was offered the starring role in her own sitcom One in a Million.

Shirley Hemphill was a regular at The Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles.

On December 10,1999, Shirley Hemphill was found dead at her home in West Covina, California, aged 52.

Shirley Hemphill's body was discovered by a gardener who looked through a window and saw her lying on her bedroom floor.