Kiki Shepard, ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ co-host, dies at 74
FILE-Actress Kiki Shepard attends the 2017 Los Angeles Builders Ball at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 28, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage/Getty Images)
Kiki Shepard, the co-host of the long-running television show "Showtime at the Apollo," has died. She was 74.
LaShirl Smith, Shepard's rep, told TMZ that the entertainer suffered a massive heart attack in Los Angeles on Monday.
Shepard co-hosted "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987-2002 alongside a revolving cast of emcees, which included Steve Harvey, Sinbad, Mo’Nique, Rudy Rush, Mark Curry and Rick Aviles.
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"Showtime at the Apollo" was a television show that featured live performances from both professional and up-and-coming musical acts and was filmed at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater.
Who was Kiki Shepard?
The backstory:
Kiki Shepard was born in Tyler, Texas, in July 1951. She attended Howard University and during her time at the school she became a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company, Variety reported.
Shepard later became the co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo" and also had recurring roles in television shows like "A Different World" and "Baywatch."
She also appeared on other TV shows, including "Lady Boss," "Thunder in Paradise," "Baywatch Nights," "NYPD Blue" and "Family Law." Variety noted that Shepard's more recent roles on television shows included "Highly Favored," "Mind Your Business," and "Grey’s Anatomy."
The entertainer's film credits also include "A Rage in Harlem," "Miss Evers’ Boys," "Dolls of Voodoo" and "Blackjack Christmas."
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Variety and TMZ. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.