Trending Now - Kiki Shepard, Beloved Co-host of 'showtime at the Apollo,' Passes Away at 74

WHO:

Kiki Shepard was born in Tyler, Texas.

Kiki Shepard attended Emmett Scott High School and then went to Howard University.

Shepard became a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company.

Kiki Shepard, co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo"

LaShirl Smith, Kiki's representative

Steve Harvey, co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo"

Other co-hosts: Sinbad, Mo'Nique, Rudy Rush, Mark Curry, Rick Aviles

WHAT:

Kiki Shepard was known as the "Apollo Queen of Fashion" during her time on "Showtime at the Apollo."

She appeared in the film "Blackjack Christmas."

Shepard performed at New York’s Delacourt Summer Shakesperian Festival in 1976.

Kiki Shepard died from a massive heart attack

Shepard was 74 years old at the time of her death

She co-hosted "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987 to 2002

Shepard appeared on television shows including "A Different World," "Baywatch," "NYPD Blue," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Everybody Hates Chris"

She appeared in Broadway productions such as "Bubbling Brown Sugar," "Reggae," "Your Arms Too Short to Box With God," and "Porgy and Bess"

WHERE:

Kiki Shepard died in Los Angeles

"Showtime at the Apollo" is located in Harlem

WHEN:

Kiki Shepard was born in July 1951.

Kiki Shepard was born in 1951

She began her run on "Showtime at the Apollo" in 1987 and continued until 2002

Shepard's death occurred on Monday, March 16th, 2026

WHY:

The cause of death was a massive heart attack, which was described as completely unexpected

HOW:

Kiki Shepard's career began as a professional dancer in the early 1970s, performing with the D.C. Repertory Dance Company

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 19:26 UTC)

Kiki Shepard, born in July 1951 in Tyler, Texas, attended Emmett Scott High School before going on to Howard University. She became well-known as the "Apollo Queen of Fashion" during her time on "Showtime at the Apollo" and also appeared in the film "Blackjack Christmas." In addition to her television and film work, Shepard performed at New York’s Delacourt Summer Shakesperian Festival in 1976 and was a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company.

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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 17:26 UTC)

Kiki Shepard, beloved co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo," passed away unexpectedly from a massive heart attack on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the age of 74 in Los Angeles. She was known for her vibrant presence on television and Broadway, having co-hosted "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987 to 2002 and appeared in shows like "A Different World" and "Grey's Anatomy." Shepard's career began in the early 1970s as a professional dancer, and she leaves behind a legacy celebrated by her fellow co-hosts, including Steve Harvey and Sinbad.