여배우, 가수.
뉴욕 롱 아일랜드 출생. 19세 때 미스 블랙 틴에이지 뉴욕에 출전하였다. 러트거스대학을 졸업하였다. 그녀는 의사의 꿈을 키웠으나 컬리지 씨어터 페스티벌을 통해 무대를 경험하면서 무대를 동경하게 되었다.

랄프는 1982년 뮤지컬 <Dreamgirls>에서 디나 존스를 맡아 출연하여 토니어워즈 여우주연상에 노미네이트 되었다. 1984년 그녀의 앨범 ‘In the Evening’은 빌보드 차트 6위까지 올랐다. 1988년 디즈니 영화 <Oliver & Company>에서 리타의 목소리 역을 맡았다. 그녀가 처음으로 주연을 맡은 영화는 <The Mighty Quinn>으로 덴젤 워싱턴과 함께 주인공을 맡았다. 1992년 로버트 드 니로와 함께 <Mistress>에 출연하였고, <The Flintstones>, <Deterrence>, <Unconditional Love>등에 출연하였다.

TV에는 <Designing Women>, <Moesha>, <Barbershop>, <ER> 등에 출연하였다.

Film <The Cost of Heaven, 2010> Actress(Paulette)
<Blessed and Cursed, 2010> Actress(Lady Wright)
<BioShock 2, 2010> Voice(Grace Holloway)
<Hannah Montana, 2008> Actress(Clarice Johnson)
<Frankie D, 2007> Actress(Mama)
<Exes & Ohs, 2007> Actress(Reverand Ruby)
<Odicie, 2007> Actress(Aunt Amy)
<ER, 2006> Actress(Gloria Gallant)
<7th Heaven, 2006> Actress(Nurse)
<Barbershop, 2005> Actress(Claire)
<Kink in My Hair, 2004> Actress(Novelette)
<Justice League, 2002-2004> Actress(Cheetah)
<Las Vegas, 2003> Actress(Janet Ellis)
<Whoopi, 2003> Actress(Florence)
<Static Shock, 2002-2003> Actress(Trina Jessup)
<The Proud Family, 2002> Actress(Aunt Dee)
<Baby of the Family, 2002> Actress(Mamie)
<The Jennie Project, 2001> Actress(Dr. Pamela Prentiss)
<Moesha, 1996-2001> Actress(Dee Mitchell)
<The District, 2000-2001> Actress(Lt. Dee Banks)
<Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel, 2000> Actress(Nurse)
<Race Card, 2000> Director, Writer
<Recess, 2000> Actress(Mrs. Lasalle)
<The Parkers, 1999> Actress(Dee Mitchell), Director
<Deterrence, 1999> Actress(Gayle Redford)
<Personals, 1999> Actress(Chantal)
<Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, 1999> Actress(Zsa Zsa Goowhiggie)
<Unconditional Love, 1999> Actress(Linda Cray)
<Secrets, 1998/I> Actress, Director, Writer, Producer
<The Wild Thornberrys, 1998> Actress(Lioness #2)
<The Easter Story Keepers, 1998> Voice(Risa)
<Oddville, MTV, 1997>
<Jamaica Beat, 1997> Actress(Sylvia Jones)
<Bogus, 1996> Actress(Ruth Clark)
<Lover's Knot, 1996> Actress(Charlotte)
<White Man's Burden, 1995> Actress(Roberta)
<Witch Hunt, 1994> Actress(Hypolyta Kropotkin)
<The Flintstones, 1994> Actress(Mrs. Pyrite)
<George, 1993-1994> Actress(Maggie Foster)
<Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, 1993> Actress(Florence Watson)
<No Child of Mine, 1993> Actress(Marjorie Duncan)
<Designing Women, 1992-1993> Actress(Etienne Toussaint Bouvier)
<The Distinguished Gentleman, 1992> Actress(Miss Loretta)
<Mistress, 1992> Actress(Beverly)
<The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, 1991> Actress(Miss Rosalee)
<New Attitude, 1990> Actress(Vicki St. James)
<Falcon Crest, 1990> Actress(Mooshy Tucker)
<To Sleep with Anger, 1990> Actress(Linda)
<It's a Living, 1986-1989> Actress(Ginger St. James)
<Skin Deep, 1989> Actress(Receptionist)
<The Mighty Quinn, 1989> Actress(Lola Quinn)
<Oliver & Company, 1988> Voice(Rita)
<Amazing Stories, 1987> Actress(Show Singer)
<L.A. Law, 1987> Actress(Renee Quintana)
<Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies, 1987> Actress(Corelle)
<Hunter, 1986> Actress(Josie Clifford)
<Pros & Cons, 1986> Actress(Roberta)
<Code Name: Foxfire, 1985> Actress(Maggie Bryan)
<V, 1984> Actress(Glenna)
<Search for Tomorrow, 1951> Actress(Laura McCarthy), 1983-1984>
<The Neighborhood, 1982> Actress(Doris Campbell)
<The Jeffersons, 1979> Actress(Jeanie)
<Wonder Woman, 1979> Actress(Bobbie)
<Good Times, 1978> Actress(Vanessa Blake)
<The Krofft Comedy Hour, 1978> Actress(Various Characters)
<Husbands, Wives & Lovers, 1978> Actress(Joelle)
<Baa Baa Black Sheep, 1978>
<A.E.S. Hudson Street, 1978> Actress(Nurse)
<A Piece of the Action, 1977> Actress(Barbara Hanley)