Shar J

Sharisse Jackson was born on August 31, 1976, in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Costa Mesa, California. From an early age, Jackson showed an aptitude for performing, starting acting at three years old and enrolling in the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble. She pursued modeling with agencies such as Ubiquitous, John Robert Powers, and Barbizon, and studied acting with Bob Feldman. By the age of 11, she chose to focus primarily on acting. Her early career saw her cast in national commercials and guest-starring roles on various television series, including “Roc” (1991), “My So-Called Life” (1994), “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” (1992), and “The Steve Harvey Show” (1996). Her film appearances from this period include “CB4” (1993), “Grand Avenue” (1996), and “Good Burger” (1997).

Jackson achieved significant recognition for her portrayal of Niecy Jackson on the UPN sitcom “Moesha,” a role she held from 1996 to 2001, spanning 122 episodes. Following her success on “Moesha,” Jackson continued her acting career with roles in films like “Love & Basketball” (2000) and “Steppin: The Movie” (2009). She also appeared in several television series, including “The Parkers,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” and more recently, “Shameless” (2021) and “Good Burger 2” (2023). In addition to acting, Jackson has pursued roles as a producer, notably for “Blood Effects” (2011) and “A Polished Soul” (2022). She has also engaged in reality television, participating in shows like “The Ex-Wives Club” and “Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp” (2010).

Beyond her screen work, Jackson was a member of the pop girl group Mpulz, whose single “The Journey” was featured on “The Princess Diaries” soundtrack in 2001. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Forensic Science, with an initial aspiration to become a Crime Scene Investigator. Jackson is a mother of four and grandmother to one. She actively balances her professional commitments with her family life, indicating a recent return to more active entertainment projects at the encouragement of her children.