KiKi Shepard, the longtime host of Showtime at the Apollo, has died. She was 74. Shepard's rep confirmed to both TMZ and New York City's ABC7 that she suffered a heart attack Monday. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved KiKi Shepard,

Her partners on the syndicated variety show based at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem included Sinbad and, for seven years, Steve Harvey.

Shepard started as a professional dancer before she became a fixture in households across America during her 15-year run on the Fox variety show.

Kiki Shepard, who became a household name during her 15-year tenure as co-host of “Showtime at the Apollo,” died on Monday at age 74. Shepard’s representative, LaShirl Smith, told TMZ that she suffered a massive heart attack in Los Angeles.

Kiki Shepard, the co-host of the "Showtime at the Apollo" variety show, has died. She was 74.Video above: Remembering those we lost in 2026According to reports, Shepard died Monday, March 16, of a heart attack.

Born Chiquita Renee Shepard in northeast Texas, Shepard became a cornerstone of Black entertainment and a guiding light for generations of performers.  She was best known for her 15-year run on "Showtime at the Apollo" from 1987 to 2002,

Shepard, also known as the “Queen of Apollo Fashion,” starred on the show from 1987 to 2002, working with several