You don’t hear many stories like Sharron Corley’s these days. His journey from the rough streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn, to making it in Hollywood is the kind of transformation that seems almost too good to be true. But it’s real, and it’s powerful.
Born into a world that didn’t offer much hope, Corley somehow managed to flip the script on his entire life. This isn’t just another actor’s biography – it’s a story about what happens when someone refuses to let their circumstances define them.
Most people know Sharron Corley from his breakout role in “New Jersey Drive” back in 1995. But getting to that point? That’s where the real story lies. It’s about a kid who could have easily become another statistic, but instead became something else entirely.
Early Life in Brownsville Brooklyn
Sharron Corley came into this world on May 26, 1973, in Brownsville, Brooklyn. If you know anything about that neighborhood, you know it wasn’t exactly the ideal place to raise a family. High crime, limited opportunities – it was the kind of place where kids grew up fast, and not always in good ways.
Corley’s home life was tough from the start. His mother struggled with alcoholism, and his stepfather battled addiction. His biological father? Nowhere to be found. So there was young Sharron, trying to figure out life without much guidance from the adults who were supposed to be looking out for him.
The streets of Brownsville didn’t offer many positive role models either. Violence was just part of daily life, and for a lot of kids, it felt like there were only two paths: get involved in street life or become a victim of it. Corley was drawn to the first option.
Even back then, though, there was something different about him. He had this natural charisma that people noticed. Unfortunately, in his environment, those qualities often got channeled in the wrong direction.
The Dark Years – Gang Life and Incarceration
When Sharron Corley got to Thomas Jefferson High School, he fell in with a crew called the Lo-Lifes. These weren’t your typical gang members – they were obsessed with Ralph Lauren Polo gear. Sounds almost funny now, but back then, it was serious business.
Corley got really good at shoplifting, especially the expensive stuff. Ralph Lauren Polo wasn’t just clothing to these guys; it was a status symbol. The better you were at stealing it, the more respect you earned on the street. They called it getting “props,” and Corley was collecting plenty of them.
But that lifestyle has a way of catching up with you. When Corley was just 17, he got busted and ended up doing six months at Rikers Island. That’s a hard place for anyone, let alone a teenager. It should have been a wake-up call, but change doesn’t always happen overnight.
His story from this period actually made it into a book called “The Ville” by Greg Donaldson. The book looked at gang life in urban New York, and Corley’s experiences were part of that larger picture. Looking back, Corley described the mindset that dominated his world: “Growing up in Brownsville, there wasn’t much promise for hope or achievement. We lived for the day. If a friend got shot, we felt it was their fate. I didn’t feel I was going to live long anyway.”
That’s a heavy way to think when you’re still a teenager, but it was reality for a lot of kids in his situation.
A Teacher’s Intervention – The Turning Point
Sometimes it takes just one person to change everything. For Sharron Corley, that person was Sharon King, a teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School. King looked at this kid who was heading down a dangerous path and saw something everyone else was missing.
The school was putting on a play called “Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams” – pretty fitting title, considering what was about to happen. King decided to cast Corley in the lead role. It was a gamble, but it paid off in ways nobody could have predicted.
For Corley, being on that stage was like nothing he’d ever experienced. The applause, the positive attention, the feeling of accomplishing something legitimate – it opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Suddenly, there was something else he could be good at besides stealing clothes.
King didn’t stop there. She became more than just a teacher; she became a mentor and advocate. Years later, Corley would say she saved his life. “She was there for me,” he recalled. “The dream of becoming a star was the only thing that kept me on the straight and narrow. If I didn’t have that, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
It’s amazing how one person believing in you can change everything. King didn’t just teach Corley about acting – she taught him that he was worth believing in.
Breaking Into Hollywood – The New Jersey Drive Opportunity
Having a dream is one thing; making it happen is another. Sharron Corley had the acting bug, but he didn’t have connections or training. So he did what he had to do – worked whatever jobs he could find while chasing his dream. Restaurants, law firms, The Gap – anything to pay the bills while he figured out how to break into acting.
The break came in the most unexpected way. A casting director for a movie called “New Jersey Drive” happened to read “The Ville,” the book that featured Corley’s story. When they saw his picture on the cover of the Village Voice, something clicked. Here was someone who had actually lived the kind of life they were trying to portray on screen.
Corley auditioned multiple times for director Nick Gomez and executive producer Spike Lee. The competition was fierce, but Corley had something the other actors didn’t – authenticity. He wasn’t acting when he portrayed a kid from the streets; he was drawing from real experience.
Landing the lead role of Jason felt like destiny. The character was involved in carjacking in Newark, which wasn’t exactly Corley’s story, but close enough. “My life is somewhat parallel to Jason’s,” Corley explained. “When I was younger, we’d boost clothes, not cars. But the part about the character’s relationship with his peers and family is similar.”
Having Spike Lee involved made it even more special. Lee actually came to Corley’s trailer during filming to tell him he’d read “The Ville” and admired his character. Lee told him this movie could be his chance to completely turn his life around. Corley was, in his own words, “completely humbled” by that conversation.
Career Highlights and Filmography
“New Jersey Drive” put Sharron Corley on the map. The 1995 film had a killer soundtrack featuring Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Redman, and Heavy D, and it connected with audiences who rarely saw their experiences reflected on screen.
Corley’s performance as Jason was praised for feeling real in a way that’s hard to fake. He brought something to the role that you can’t learn in acting school – the weight of actual experience. Critics and audiences could tell this wasn’t just another actor playing a part.
After “New Jersey Drive,” Corley kept working, though he was selective about his projects. In 1996, he appeared in “The Substitute” as Jerome, and that same year made his TV debut on “New York Undercover” playing Curtis Maxwell (aka Monster).
His later work included “The Big Confession” in 1999, “The Remedy” in 2010, and “Shadow Feather” in 2016, where he played a pastor. That last role was particularly meaningful, reflecting his own spiritual journey over the years.
Corley’s filmography might not be huge, but every role meant something. He chose projects that aligned with his values and experiences, which allowed him to maintain his integrity while building a solid reputation in the industry.
Life Beyond Acting – Entrepreneur and Family Man
Sharron Corley’s transformation went way beyond just becoming an actor. In 2010, he married Kali Corley, and they’ve built a solid family life with their four kids. For someone who grew up in chaos, creating that kind of stability is no small achievement.
The family moved from Brownsville to Fort Greene, a much nicer part of Brooklyn. It’s symbolic of how far Corley has come, but it’s also practical. As he put it, “I want to avoid the risk of anyone getting their props off me” – meaning he wanted to stay away from the street life that once defined him.
These days, Corley wears multiple hats. He founded East Module Entertainment (EME), where he works as an actor, screenwriter, producer, and motivational speaker. The motivational speaking part makes perfect sense – who better to talk about overcoming obstacles than someone who’s actually done it?
Corley describes himself as a “servant of God” and uses his platform to inspire people facing similar challenges. His message hits different because it comes from real experience, not just good intentions.
Music is still part of his life too. He performs with his R&B band “Public Figure,” which has played at universities and other venues. It’s another creative outlet that keeps him connected to his artistic side.
Legacy and Impact – Inspiring Others
Sharron Corley’s story has had an impact that goes far beyond entertainment. Being featured in “The Ville” helped document what life was really like for young people in urban America, and showed that transformation was possible even in the toughest circumstances.
His journey from gang member to successful actor and entrepreneur proves that people can change, no matter where they start. In communities where kids often feel like they don’t have options, Corley’s story offers hope and shows that change is possible with the right support and determination.
The mentorship aspect of his story can’t be overlooked. Sharon King’s decision to believe in him created a ripple effect that’s still going today. It highlights how important it is for adults to invest in young people’s potential, even when that potential isn’t obvious.
As a motivational speaker, Corley gets to directly impact people facing similar challenges. His authenticity gives his message weight that traditional motivational speakers might not have. He’s not talking theory – he’s talking about what he’s actually lived through.
His story also shows how powerful the arts can be as a vehicle for change. Theater and film gave Corley an outlet for his talents and a path to a different life. It’s a reminder of why arts education and programming matter so much in underserved communities.
Conclusion – The Ongoing Journey
At 52, Sharron Corley is living proof that people can completely rewrite their stories. His transformation from a gang member doing time at Rikers to a respected actor, entrepreneur, and family man is pretty remarkable when you think about it.
His story challenges a lot of assumptions about people from tough backgrounds. It shows that with the right mix of opportunity, mentorship, and personal determination, even the most unlikely people can succeed and give back to society.
Corley’s journey isn’t over. Through East Module Entertainment, his speaking engagements, and his creative projects, he’s still working to make a positive impact. He’s become a bridge between two very different worlds – the streets where he came from and the entertainment industry where he’s made his mark.
The message of Sharron Corley’s story is simple but powerful: everyone deserves a second chance, and sometimes the most incredible transformations come from the most unexpected places. His life proves that your past doesn’t have to determine your future.
In a world where young people in tough situations often feel forgotten, Sharron Corley’s story is a reminder that change is possible. With the right support, opportunities, and determination, anyone can turn their life around and create something meaningful.
