Kiki Shepard, entertainer and longtime co-host of 'Showtime at the Apollo,' dies at 74

Kiki Shepard, the histrion and entertainer champion known for co-hosting the syndicated assortment amusement “Showtime astatine the Apollo,” has died. She was 74.

LaShirl Smith, a typical for Shepard, confirmed her client’s death, penning successful an Instagram station Tuesday that the nonaccomplishment “hurts an atrocious lot.” Shepard died Monday successful Los Angeles aft a bosom attack, Smith confirmed to TMZ. On Tuesday, Smith honored Shepard with a video collage of their shared moments implicit the years, lamenting she volition nary longer beryllium capable to talk with her person “three/four times a time mundane astatine slightest for an hr oregon two.”

“Rest casual cousin, eden got a bully one,” Smith said successful her post.

The Texas native, calved successful July 1951, co-hosted “Showtime astatine the Apollo” from 1987 to 2002. During her tenure, she shared the signifier with a assortment of co-hosts including Steve Harvey, Sinbad and Mo’Nique, introducing a scope of philharmonic acts astatine the historical theatre successful Harlem. The Apollo honored Shepard connected its marquee Tuesday, remembering her arsenic a “true Apollo legend.”

“Together, [the hosts] carried the electrifying tone of our legendary signifier into surviving rooms crossed the nation, introducing rising stars, celebrating icons, and making millions consciousness Harlem from wherever they were,” the theatre said connected Instagram, “reminding the satellite that we person ever been a spot wherever Black excellence takes halfway stage.”

More than a host, Shepard had an amusement vocation that included TV appearances — among them “Baywatch,” “A Different World,” “NYPD Blue” and “Grey’s Anatomy” — and a fistful of stints arsenic a choreographer. An alumna of what was past called North Texas State University and Howard University, Shepard besides had a insignificant relation successful “The Wiz.”

Her tv credits see “Thunder successful Paradise,” “Baywatch Nights,” “Family Law,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and the 2025 bid “Highly Favored.” Shepard besides pursued a vocation connected stage, appearing successful Broadway productions of “Bubbling Brown Sugar,” “Reggae” and “Porgy and Bess.”

Beyond entertainment, Shepard devoted herself to raising consciousness for sickle compartment anemia aft a person died of the affliction. In 2006, she founded the Kis Foundation, an enactment that seeks to enactment sickle compartment illness patients and their families, pursuing years of different advocacy efforts.

“KiKi believed that compassion, community, and acquisition could alteration lives. Her dependable uplifted countless individuals who often felt unseen, and her enactment created lasting pathways for hope, resources, and knowing for those surviving with this disease,” Shepard’s household said successful a connection to ABC7.

To daytime speech amusement big Sherri Shepherd, the beloved “Showtime astatine the Apollo” property “was the beingness of each party” who had a welcoming and lukewarm presence.

“Kiki I americium devastated that you are gone, but I americium rejoicing due to the fact that you LIVED and you lived boldly and joyfully,” the “Sherri” big wrote successful an Instagram tribute.

“Your emotion of God was evident and I cognize you are having a shot up there,” she added.

Mo’Nique and Jackée Harry besides honored Shepard’s beingness and bequest connected Instagram. “Rest easy, my beloved saccharine friend,” comedian Harry said, “I’ll transportation you with maine always.”