KiKi Shepard, ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ co-host, dies at age 74

Kiki Shepard, longtime “Showtime at the Apollo” co-host with numerous appearances on stage and screen, has died.

She was 74.

The veteran entertainer and activist died Monday after suffering a massive heart attack, said her family and the KIS Foundation, the nonprofit organization she founded to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved KiKi Shepard, cherished Sister, Auntie, friend, and an unwavering advocate for those living with sickle cell disease,” they said in a statement.

Shepard was best known as one of a rotating cast of co-hosts of “Showtime at the Apollo,” reigning for 15 years from 1987-2002 as the Apollo Queen of Fashion while bringing “grace, warmth and joy into the homes of millions,” her family said. Fellow hosts included Steve Harvey, Sinbad and Mo’Nique.

Chiquita Renee Shepard was born in Tyler, Texas, on July 15, 1951. After graduating with a business degree from Howard University, where she was a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company, Shepard launched her career as an ensemble dancer on Broadway in shows including “Comin’ Uptown” and “Reggae” in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Alongside her “Showtime” hosting duties, Shepard appeared in a slew of television series, including “Baywatch,” “NYPD Blue,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Mind Your Business.” Movie credits included “A Rage in Harlem,” “Miss Evers’ Boys,” and her most recent, “Blackjack Christmas.”

The entertainer was equally known for her advocacy for people affected by sickle cell anemia.

“KiKi believed that compassion, community, and education could change lives,” her family and the foundation said. “Her voice uplifted countless individuals who often felt unseen, and her work created lasting pathways for hope, resources, and understanding for those living with this disease.”

Just a week before her death, Shepard was honored on International Women’s Day by her college sorority, the San Fernando Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.