Sherri Shepherd has claimed she lost future acting work after highlighting the lack of racial diversity in the cast of Friends to one of the show’s co-creators.
The 53-year-old actress had a gust role on one episode of Friends in 1998 where she played a tour guide named Rhonda in an episode titled The One with Phoebe’s Uterus.
According to pop-culture commentator Jawn Murray, 43, Sherri was shunned from the show after she made a comment about the lack of racial diversity on the hit comedy show.
Jawn said he had received Sherri’s permission to share her story when he appeared on ABC News on Monday.
He explained: “[Sherri] was one of the few black faces that was on Friends. Her, Aisha Tyler and Gabrielle Union.
“Sherri was on Friends at a time that you sent out postcards to let people know, 'Hey, I'm going to be on TV’,” Jawn said.
According to Jawn, Sherri wrote on her postcards: “Friends get a little color” – and he claims she send one of the cards to show co-creator Marta Kauffman.
Jawn continued: “Well, [Shepherd] also sent that postcard to Marta. And she got the postcard and she was never asked back on the show.”
Sherri confirmed the tale as she took to social media to highlight Jawn’s appearance on ABC News.
She wrote: “My best friend @JawnMurray appeared on @ABCNewsLive with @LinseyDavis & shared my experience as one of the few Black people who ever appeared on Friends.
“He reveals why I believe I was NEVER asked back to the show.”
Show writer Marta, 63, last month confessed Friends had failed to include diversity.
She said during an an interview with ATX TV: “I wish I knew then what I know today. Sorry, I just wish I knew then what I know now. I would've made very different decisions.”
