Leslie Marian Uggams was born on May 25, 1943, in Harlem, New York City, to Juanita Ernestine Smith, a Cotton Club chorus girl and dancer, and Harold Coyden Uggams, an elevator operator and maintenance man who was also a singer with the Hall Johnson choir.

She began her career as a child in the early 1950s, appearing on shows like "Beulah" and performing at the Apollo Theater alongside legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

She attended the Professional Children's School of New York and later the prestigious Juilliard School, where she honed her musical talents. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Kizzy Reynolds in the television miniseries "Roots" (1977), for which she received Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations.

Her performance in the Broadway musical "Hallelujah, Baby!" earned her a Theatre World Award in 1967 and a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1968. Throughout her career, she has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, showcasing her versatility as an actress and singer.

In recent years, she has enjoyed a career renaissance with her role as Blind Al in the "Deadpool" movie franchise and as Leah Walker on the Fox musical drama series "Empire." She has also appeared in the Amazon Original post-apocalyptic drama series "Fallout" (2024) and the comedy-drama film "American Fiction" (2023).

Leslie Uggams continues to be active in the entertainment industry, demonstrating her enduring talent and dedication to her craft. Offstage, she has been a founding member of the BRAVO Chapter/City of Hope, a charitable organization dedicated to the study, treatment, and eradication of all blood-related diseases.

She has been married to Grahame Pratt since October 16, 1965, and they have two children, Justice Pratt and Danielle Chambers.

Her contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the Tony Award, Golden Globe nominations, and Emmy nominations. Her legacy as an actress and singer continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.