Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph to Portray Jennifer Hudson's Mom on Smash

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

August 16 2012 2:07 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Sheryl Lee Ralph, a Broadway veteran who originated the role of Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, will play the mother of Jennifer Hudson's character on NBC's Smash next season.

Ralph will appear as Cynthia on the second season of Smash, which centers on the production of a Broadway show. Cynthia is the mother to Veronica, a troublesome theater star played by Jennifer Hudson (an Oscar winner for her role in the theatrical version of Dreamgirls). Read more here.

Ralph starred for many years on the television show Moesha, as well as in films like Barbershop. The actress is a longtime AIDS activist; click here to read an interview with her in our sister magazine, HIV Plus.