By Chris Taylor
NEW YORK — As a popular talk show host, Sherri Shepherd’s job is to get celebrities to share their personal stories. But the most fascinating story might be her own.
The Sherri host, who kicked off her new season on Monday, has come a long way since her rocky early days when she was evicted from her apartment while trying to make it in showbiz.
And that’s exactly what she did, starring on shows like “30 Rock” and co-hosting “The View.” The ultimate proof that she was a huge success: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
For Reuters’ “Life Lessons” series, we spoke to Shepherd about what he learned along the way. The following interview is edited and condensed.
Q: When you were growing up in Chicago, what did your parents teach you about work ethic?
A: Sacrifice. My father moved us to a town called Hoffman Estates and he was a waiter at a restaurant that had a lot of racist imagery that would now be banned.
He wanted to give us a better life. He worked at that restaurant and used his tips to put me through photography classes. My father was subjected to a lot of racist abuse at that restaurant, but he did it because he loved me.
Q: What was your first job as a teenager?
A: I volunteered at Northwest Hospital in Schaumburg, Illinois. I was the person who wore the little pink and white uniform, brought food and water to the patients and read to them. I loved seeing the smile on people’s faces.
The second was when I worked at Sears. I was promoted to the catalog retail department and wrapped gifts. To this day, I can wrap a gift like no one else.
Q: How did you get started in the entertainment world?
A: I was a legal secretary in California. One day, with eight other legal secretaries, we all went to the Comedy Store together.
Eddie Griffin and Andrew Dice Clay were there, making people laugh, and my friends thought I could do that, too. I got some advice after the show and Dice told me, “Just do it.” I will always owe those guys part of my career. “Just do it scared” has become my motto.
Q: Was there a shortage of money in those early years?
A: I didn’t get a regular role until I got on a show called “Holding the Baby” on Fox with Jennifer Westfeldt. I thought I had made it big, but then it got cancelled.
Then I went on a show called “Cleghorne!” with Ellen Cleghorne. Once again, I thought I had made it, and again it was cancelled! I kept all my checks and didn’t even cash them. I taped them to the wall.
Q: Did you make any financial mistakes along the way?
A: A lot of people feel guilty when they achieve success and feel like they have to go back and take care of absolutely everyone. I did that and I spent all my money.
The money you make goes to commissions, taxes, agents, business managers, lawyers, publicists and glamour teams. That’s a lot of money going out. I thought the salary I made was the amount I was going to be able to spend. Oh no.
Q: How challenging is it financially and emotionally to care for a special needs child like your son?
A: You really have to advocate for them. It’s been a process and it hasn’t been easy. In financial terms, it’s a lot: the school for special needs children plus all the therapy (physical, occupational, speech and psychological), but he’s my son and I’m doing it for him.
Q: How do you determine where your donated money has the greatest impact?
A: It has to be something that is close to my heart. Move-In Day Mafia helps foster children who have aged out and are starting college. Special Needs Network runs camps for children with autism. In fact, my son was a counselor there.
Q: What life lessons are you trying to convey?
A: I remember when my car was being repossessed, I would ride the bus down Hollywood Boulevard, where the Walk of Fame is. I would look up at the stars and dream that one day I would have a star. Now I’m having a ceremony to celebrate it. Never stop dreaming.